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Do The Critics Have A Bad Feeling About The Cartoon Network’s Tartakovsky-Free STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS?
I am – Hercules!!
I’ve got a bad feeling about “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” the new TV series premiering tonight on The Cartoon Network. It’s from the same creative team that brought us August’s “Clone Wars” movie, which garnered 96% negative reviews among “top critics” surveyed by Rotten Tomatoes – and 100% negative reviews from everybody I’ve talked to about it. (The Tomatoes survey would have been 100% negative if not for the notice authored by the Arizona Republic’s Kerry Lengel, who appraised the movie as “surprisingly unterrible.”)
The screeners for the series seem to have gone out to far fewer media outlets than did screening passes for the movie, and the few critics who have seen the TV version of “Clone Wars” seem to be kinder to the two episodes airing tonight. Did LucasFilm really choose inferior episodes for the movie – which people had to drive down to a cinema to pay for – or are TV critics just far, far less discriminating than their movie counterparts?
Entertainment Weekly says:
Older Star Wars fans loathed The Clone Wars, George Lucas' movie 'toon about prequel-era Obi-Wan and Anakin. At least the TV spin-off is decent — definitely more suspenseful and character-centric than the bombastic pilot flick. Its target audience — kids — will dig it. And middle-aged haters will hate it a little less. …
The Los Angeles Times says:
I'm one of those who thinks that with regards to the "Star Wars" saga, it's all been mostly downhill since "The Empire Strikes Back," except, of course, Carrie Fisher in slave gear for "Return of the Jedi." … There may come a day when reality is perfectly counterfeited by computers, but here in the early 21st century, animators have yet to conquer the human problem: digitally rendered people look creepy. …
The Chicago Tribune says:
… little about "Clone Wars" is involving. … Complexity is fine, but when the plot is Byzantine and the characters lack all depth, the result is either irritation or boredom. The overall blandness means it's hard to care for whomever is blowing stuff up on the screen. The clone armies are led by Jedi such as Anakin Skywalker, who's a bit of a pill and who, as anyone who's seen the "Star Wars" films knows, later turns into Darth Vader. The Jedi themselves are working for Chancellor Palpatine, who is nobody's idea of an enlightened leader. So, it's a robot army versus clones working for a creepy despot. Go, um, team?
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says:
The computer-animated movie "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" was a dud at the box office (less than $40 million in domestic gross) and was lambasted by critics, but the Cartoon Network series of the same name may fare better. The first two half-hour episodes are less raucous and seemingly more adult than the film. There's more attention to character development; Jabba the Hutt's flamboyant uncle isn't anywhere to be found. …
The Boston Herald says:
… The wise-cracking battle ’droids - the intergalactic Larry, Moe and Curley - are in abundance but appear even more useless and less amusing than in the films. … The stylized animation ranges from impressive in the case of anything mechanical to waxy and lifeless in the case of anything human. Faces appear stiff and expressionless, which might make Hayden Christensen fans feel at home with yet another wooden Anakin. … still doesn’t redeem Lucas’ attempted do-over and the Greedo-shoots-first syndrome, but it’s certainly no “Star Wars Holiday Special.”
The Hollywood Reporter says:
… Chances are if you liked "Star Wars," you'll enjoy the TV series. When it comes to extending the franchise and attracting a new generation of "Star Wars" fans, the force is definitely with George Lucas. …
Variety says:
… the half-hour episodes are so jam-packed with action the clunky dialogue flies by less obtrusively, and the irritating characters have less time to annoy. … Of course, technical wizardry has never been a problem for series steward George Lucas. His shortcomings rather have to do with a too-casual acquaintance with the written word, and a penchant for wince-inducing comedy aimed at kids. Those drawbacks persist …
9 p.m. Friday. The Cartoon Network.
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Readers Talkback
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Wow. I'm so surprised.
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Lucas has turned a iconic franchise into a two-bit whore.
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Sadly, Lucas is telling the truth when he says this show is aimed at today's generation. Little plot, lots of colors, and tons of 'splosions.
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Geeze, I'm ruling this talkback. It's like "I Am Legend." The world must have been wiped out by the sheer implosion of Star Wars.
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Is interest in Clone Wars really this low?
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Wondering how long until Indiana Jones ends up on television with a crummy series. Oh wait...
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On another front, Ford is about to resurrect another character: Deckard from Blade Runner. How long before we get some sort of Han Solo cameo in Clone Wars? Ford gotta eat. Calista Flockhart feasts vicariously through him.
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Meanwhile, on topic... <BR><BR>The new Star Wars films and subsequent media have been so fucking terrible they keep having to lower the age target for the series to escape the criticism. Pretty soon, we'll end up with a Star Wars series for the Teletubbies audience.
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Should I start using titles?
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It's not 5 AM everywhere.
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YAWN. am i tired or bored? you decide!
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Is this whole internet thing new to you? You need to type. By that I mean you need to mash your fingers on the rectangular piece of plastic with letters on them.
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The reason for Star Wars going downhill began with Empire. Lucas was upset at Kirshner taking so long directing the movie, changing material, making something truly epic and multi-generational, that Lucas tightened his grip. Despite what Lucas says, he ripped off the majority of Star Wars from various sources (Dune, LOTR, Buck Rogers, etc.) and was as surprised by the success as everyone else. Star Wars was and has always been a way for Lucas to make money for Lucas' various companies. After Empire, look how commerical the franchise became and how much more control Lucas took over the movies. Empire did so well artistically because Lucas was too busy establishing Skywalker Ranch and other projects that he had little to no control or knowledge of what was going on on set. That is why Empire is the best Star Wars movie of the lot. No Lucas! If Lucas had only sat back, let others run wild with his series like he originally claimed he would (the reason he spoke of a twelve part saga) Star Wars could have truly been something epic. Sadly, Lucas' greed led him to the Dark Side and it forever dominate his destiny.
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Frodo, if you're trying to be clever I think you need to re-evaluate your material.
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The mystery and sinister heart of darkness that lay behind Vader I remember was spellbinding in Empire when I was young. <p> I like Trek more, but I rewatched Empire not long back and knowing what a whiny unlikeable plank Anakin was really detracts from the movie <p> The Force Unleashed, featuring direction from fresh blood, couldn't solve this problem for me either.
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in that i didnt think it was possible for me to hate something with lightsabres in. it made episode 1 look like episode 5.
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I didn't hate the "Clone Wars" movie; it was kinda fun watching it with my 5-year-old nephews. I'll at least DVR the TV show and give it a chance.
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my son will like it...
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For those of us who are too damned cool to do otherwise. As for the time difference, it's 9:40pm here in Oz. I just been to busy watching movies. As for The Clone Wars..ain't seen it. Probably never will.
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...and KIDS love it. <P> George Lucas is brilliant. <P> I work with kids and they are crazy about this movie/tv show. <P> George Lucas has successfully introduced Star Wars to a whole new generation and that means more money for him. <P> He's brilliant. He's the man.
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why the fuck does it air at 9pm???? I'd love to let my 4 year old son watch it, he loved the movie... but he's in bed by 9pm. I've never said it, but fuck George Lucas.
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Just DVR it for your kids.<p> Boy this series is gonna suck a fart out my ass!
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Enough already. No, its not.
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In every sense.
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That may be the show's only saving grace...I've got Cartoon Network in HD, but my guide doesn't indicate if the show is HD or not...anybody know?
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Yeah, I'll gamble a couple of bucks and rent it.
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What the hell we're a lot of us when it came out in the first trilogy and who're the ones with the expendable capitol now to keep the Lucas engine running? The first two we're light yet sophisticated and looking more like a fluke than a study in good sci fi. We all wince at the snappy contempo dialogue and poor story telling and even worse character development, but unfortunately that's Lucas' Star Wars and his hopelessly misguided view of something for kids. He's still forgetting the 30, 40 and beyond kids that got him here time and time again. There's ways that a story can be told and a movie made that satisfies both, but with one man in control of something so huge it is destined to fail critically and now possibly for the first time commercially, and for us again emotionally.
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Who will stop Lucas?, not Ford, not that fat producer he uses to facilitate destroying his great art from the past, not the crtitics apparently not the awful reviews either, lets face it old throat bag is gunning for his own property and he makes fools of us all each and every time he chips away at it.
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I saw tonight's YOda Centric episode, and it is really cool - Yoda is back to being the guy in the swamp that was a little bit odd, eccentric - and you really didnt fully get what he was saying.. at any rate, the movie was the 1st 3 episodes... most shows get better after the first few episodes, and that is the case here. Much better than the movie.. Do I love it? No, I am old school star wars geek, and the bots are worse than ewocks in my hatred, almost Jar Jar bad... .. but this show isnt for me, it is for my 6 year old son, who loves it.. and liked the movie as much as I liked the original. (puts flame suit on)
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Either you like it or you dont.If you cant except that Star Wars wont ever be as dark as ESB and its Ultimatly The Wizard of Oz then go watch The Dark Knight again...then after that go Watch Batman and Robin and quit complaining,every franchise has there weak moments.
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You would all be singing a different tune. Get an original opinion guys. Oh and let go of what you THOUGHT Star Wars was. You might actually enjoy it for what it is.
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I could 100% give a fuck less about Anakin Skywalker. The Baddest bad guy ever is nothing more than a snot nosed whiner. I hope he gets his limbs severed and all burned up.
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...George sure has milked it for all it's worth. Still, bring on the live action series!!!!
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Oct. 3, 2008, 9:32 a.m. CST
aboriginal, I hear you but I resent your "expendable capitol"
by Stereotypical Evil Archer
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How many more of you angst-ridden vaginal farts can write about how much they hate Star Wars, blah blah blah? You pedantic, pseudo-intellectual anal swabs should move on to something you actually like instead of repeating the same fucking shit over and over and over and over again. Star Wars has expanded far beyond George and while some of you are probably too stupid to realize this, most of the SW projects that come out have very little to do with Lucas, creatively speaking. And by the way, Tartakovsky's Clone Wars series is painfully overrated, and I say that despite owning both DVDs.
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But I LIKED the Clone Wars CGI flick! Color me surprized!!!! Wasn't great but didn't suck as much as say...Phantom Menass...
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horrible, I cant believe Lucas has slipped this much in 20yrs...he is the modern day Willy Wonka
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It's the Teletubbies of the Star Wars universe.
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If something good in the Star Wars universe comes along (Genndy's Clone Wars, Force Unleashed) Lucas gets none of the credit. If something bad comes along (Clone Wars movie) Lucas takes all of the blame. This is why your opinions don't mean fuckall.
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all of them. As a 32 year old who grew up on SW, I've never once been let down, and can't wait for tonight! I just don't get what all the whiners (including Harry's opinion on the theatrical CW) are griping about; The tone has remained consistent across the board.
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...over a cartoon. O.K., listen up...you can either go along for the ride or get off the bus. If you liked the O.T., stay there and enjoy. Personally, I'm hoping this little cartoon epic of GL's will explain a little bit more of the story that we saw in RotS...like.. - Asajj Ventress is nowhere to be seen after the Clone Wars. What happened to her? - Asohka Tano is nowhere to be seen after the Clone Wars. What happened to HER? For those sooo upset by the movie that they forgot to really listen to the story, I offer you a scenario; In the scene where Anakin and Asohka have to leave the monestary w/Jabba's son, Rex tells him 'I understand. Remember, the mission comes first.' What happens if General Skywalker, trusted member of the Jedi Order, best pilot in the fleet, arguably the most powerful Jedi ever, forgets this principle? What if, in the course of a mission, his apprentice is killed by Asajj Ventress? Anakin wants to help Asohka, but he can't in order to fulfill the mission. What if this outrages him so much that he (temporarily) renounces his allegiance to the Jedi Order to hunt down and kill Ventress, utilizing some of the skills in the dark arts he was unknowingly taught by Palpatine? What if, even after all of this, the Jedi begrudgingly take him back because they need his skills? Long list of 'what if's', but maybe, just maybe, in RotS THAT's why he isn't allowed to sit on the Jedi Council, maybe THAT's why he won't be a master Jedi, maybe THAT's why he doesn't have the trust of Mace Windu and others on the Jedi Council... Maybe I think about these things too much, but I can see where that story might go, and I'll hop on just to see if I get there. If not, no big deal, my life won't change and I won't forget my fond memories of watching the scrolling text at the beginning of every Star Wars movie, excepting 'Clone Wars' of course. Proceed to flame if you will, but I call 'em like I see 'em...
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That people have gone from lambasting Lucas, to lambasting the Lucas critics. Soon enough Star Wars fans will walk through the streets wearing nothing but Star Wars masks flagellating themselves while people look on in horror. Bleh.
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Keep up your Lucas bashing. Hope you enjoy being so angry and sad. CHICAGO SUN TIMES wrote: "the Cartoon Network series of the same name may fare better. The first two half-hour episodes, airing at 8 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, are less raucous and seemingly more adult than the film. There’s more attention to character development; Jabba the Hutt’s flamboyant uncle isn’t anywhere to be found." KANSAS CITY STAR wrote: "Just about everything “The Clone Wars” movie got wrong, “The Clone Wars” TV series gets right." IGN wrote: "If there are more episodes like "Rising Malevolence," The Clone Wars may prove to be a pretty cool series." So, you know, whatever ...
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Let Star Wars moulder for a few decades<p> The reboot the 1st three eps with a real writer and actors
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A writer and actor YOU and "fans" approve of. Just because you won't accept that George Lucas is the writer of four of the six movies doesn't make him "not a real" writer. Just because you don't approve of Hayden Christensen doesn't make him "not a real" actor. Some of us think everything was just fine. We enjoy them just the way they are, flaws and all.
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Still Jerking their Hate Sasauges. You all need help.
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You wrote, "If something good in the Star Wars universe comes along (Genndy's Clone Wars, Force Unleashed) Lucas gets none of the credit. If something bad comes along (Clone Wars movie) Lucas takes all of the blame. This is why your opinions don't mean fuckall."<p> I should inform you, Liberty, that Lucas himself had fuckall to do with Genndy's "Clone Wars" and "Force Unleashed". This is why he gets none of the credit. See how that works? He didn't write, direct, produce, or oversee those two properties, therefore he doesn't deserve any credit. As opposed to the prequels, which he DID write, direct, and produce, thus he gets full blame. It's a fairly easy distinction to make.<p> My problem with this new series is that Genndy Tartakovsky already told us the ENTIRE FUCKING STORY, nuts to bolts, of the Clone Wars. He told it beautifully, violently, without any kiddie fart jokes or other cringeworthy bullshit. As far as I'm concerned, this new series is lies and revisionist history. It's pandering to McDonalds tie-ins for no reason other than to pander, and what I've seen of the animation is plodding and slick. It's like animated fast food.<p> I'm aware that my opinion means fuckall in this matter, but I don't really care. Lucas once was a quality director with something to say. Now he's slovenly billionaire fatboy who's sold out in horribly corporate ways. Creativity and good storytelling mean nothing to him now. He worships and fellates the almighty dollar, and it saddens me how he's completely forgotten his artistic roots.<p> Oh well. I'm sure the under fifteen crowd will love the meaningless whiz bang visuals in the new series.
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Who wonders why in the hell so much effort is being put into the middle of this Star Wars storyline? OK the clone wars was important. Point taken. But let's get real. When one examines it from an objective viewpoint, didn't the bread get buttered with the last episodes (IV-V-VI)? I'm really more interested in seeing how Luke tries to re-establish the Jedi order. What does the rebellion do when there is nobody to rebel against? Was the transition of power smooth or did it take years to finally get things back to a free intergalactic government? How much of the expanded universe novels that take place after ep VI would be taken into account? And can't we all just admit (I'm talking to the producers now) that the prequels were a failure in regards to the overall story and just leave well enough (or not) alone? Move forward with the story that the world fell in love with.
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yeeeaah<p> Lucas seems to have lost that ability.<p> His thought processes are probably drowned out to the thunder of his in-head self applause.<p> Due to his early successes, he doesn't have to try anymore, no one can say no to him, and it shows.
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STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS: now 100% about little kids and buying toys.
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middle-quils are safe ground.<br> Pretty much stupid proof.<br> You know what happened before and you know what happens afterwards.<br> Stick to canon and you got a license to print money
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Good points, shran. I think everyone's sick to death of The Clone Wars, especially because the entire story's already been told.<p> The transition to a post-Empire, intergalactic government would've been a hell of a story, I agree. Plus, in an animated series, we could've revisited Luke, Han Solo, Leia, Chewie, and other characters we actually LIKED, for god's sake. Anakin is a kid-slaying, mass-murdering psychopath. He's not likable in the least. Yet his story has managed to trump the stories of far more compelling and heroic characters in the Star Wars universe. This, to me, is a colossal misfire.<p> I agree: move forward with the story that the world fell in love with.
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... People still watch Star Wars shit? Had to be said!
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If they did a CGI type story for the events right after ep VI and then have it transition into a movie that takes place farther into the future with the actual actors from IV-V-VI? Maybe it's just me, but that is something I could get behind. I like the CGI idea, Cobbio. And I do get what you're saying about the safe bet, Melvin. But I'm sick of seeing something great being handled so badly.
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I personally love the original 3 films... my favorite is Empire by far. But, I don't get the hate for all of the new stuff. Do I like it as much as Empire. Nope, it's not my thing. Is it as horrible as people say? No not really... it's OK... it's, well... "meh". I would say the new live action films are on par with the Harry Potter franchise - lots of spectacle and poor acting (or voice work). That's what I thought of the copy of Clone Wars that I torrented. But, my nephew saw it in theatres and thought it was fantastic. I'm sure if I was eleven, I'd go crazy for it too... If I recall there was a couple of Ewok MOWs and a couple of cell animated TV series in the 80s that were "meh" as well - But as a kid I couldn't get enough. So my point is that SW has always had a pedestrian side. Looking at these talkbacks once in a while I find the "Lucas raped my childhood" crap really tiring. The fact is SW has always had mass appeal because it's a escapist fantasy that is... dare I say... mediocre. Will I tune in to see the new CGI series? I'll PVR the first episode to see if it's something I like. If not that's OK if it's not my thing... I still have Empire to watch on those rainy Sunday afternoons.
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But Lucas WAS involved in The Force Unleashed! He spent three weeks in a conference room with Haden Blackman (the game's writer/lead-desinger) fleshing out a suitable story treatment. You should hear the wacky ideas Blackman had proposed directly to Lucas when those talks began. A Superhero Wookie protagonist? A story set 1,000 in the future post-ROJ about an intergalactic Sheriff? Vader's secret apprentice was all Lucas' baby. And as much as I love it, Tartokovsky's 1 hr. 50. cumulative series didn't seem to cover a whole three-year intergalactic war from every possible viewpoint. I'm looking forward to the new episodes that are from all the various characters' POV, such as Dooku, the clones (actually showing individual personalities unlike in the Tartokovsy shorts), more of the Jedi council members, et al.
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...your 4 year-old is in bed at 9pm on a Friday night? That's fucking sad. That IS why it's on at 9pm ion FRIDAY night. There's no school the next day. <P> If it was for older kids or adults then they'd stick it into the adult swim block.
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It's a fun show for t.v.! SO....RELAX ALL YOU NERDS! The economy is crashing! The greatest transfer of wealth in history is taking place before our eyes! Russia is gearing up for war! And you're still bitching about a kids cartoon on Cartoon Network (not Adult Swim). Every dam kid I know loves THE CLONE WARS! They're going crazy for the toys too! IF YOU HATERS WERE THE SAME AGE NOW WHEN THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY CAME OUT, YOU WOULD PROBABLY BE HATING ON THEM TOO! AND YOU WOULD PROBABLY BE HATING ON ALL THE KIDS GOING CRAZY FOR THEM! I can't wait for all of you to get drafted. Both Barak Hussein Obama and McCain wants to build up the military. HELLOOOO! THAT MEANS "DRAFT" foo! Have a nice day. :)
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Here's a sweet interview with Dave Bullock who directed tonights Yoda-centric episode. http://bullockartworks.blogspot.com/ Also did JLA:New Frontiers movie. Great guy - show your support and pick up one of his artbooks!
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Thanks for the link! I really enjoyed the interview, and yes, Bullock's images are pretty amazing from what I saw!
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...I CAN'T WAIT TO BE DRAFTED! FOO! Alright peace out! (No pun intended).
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...it would air on Saturday mornings on the WB (or CW or whoever plays Saturday morning cartoons now). If it's airing in primetime on cartoon network, chances are its prime audience isn't aged 12 and under. If it's truly aimed at kids fine, then I don't care if it doesn't appeal to me, but then again, I don't think I'll ever care about anything new Star Wars ever again.
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So your feelings, hunches, and opinions don't count.
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Oct. 3, 2008, 5:17 p.m. CST
Eh, Jedi use lightsabers and shit blows up in Star Wars universe
by TallBoy66
It's fairly mindless but there isn't enough there to even get a huge mad-on for. You're still seeing lightsabers and jedi and wookies and yoda and droids, oh my! It isn't as good as any of the live action films, but it's distracting entertainment that has fits where it's wackiness and fun vibe manages to make it seem better than it actually is. Don't hate, there isn't enough there *TO* hate, anyway.
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That's certainly a given, really can't see it changing here. But I just don't get how people can get to the point of vomiting in anger over this.
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Hufg oeause ubdwws.<p>Oops. Lets try that again with the fingers in the correct positions.<p>High praise indeed.
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Remember when Star Wars was new, fresh, and exciting? Now its a Over worked Whore, that just needs to retire. Hey Lucas, Parmount knew when to give up on Star Trek when are you going to get the memo?
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But the right thing.
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That Windows Vista commercial where they trick people into thinking it's something else. Just the reaction of those people gives me the shits.
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But they're making a new Star Trek movie. We've been hearing about it for the last couple years. As for Lucas not "getting the memo", the prequels and the new game didn't exactly flop.
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im sitting here reading all these posts and its sad really . I jumped on the hate the clone wars bandwagon after i came out from seeing it at the cinema but when i watched it with my friends they all seemed to like it . Stop obsessing everyone over star wars already . Ok lucas has more money than sense ! ok he loves fury animals ! ok hes a big kid and hes mega rich and he keeps all his money in his chins lol But think about it this , im 35 and when i was younger rotj was my favorite film because it was the most fun and i was a kid at the time . The star wars films are for the child in us . Ok the prequels were not what we expected but fuck it , some star wars is better than nothing aint it ? And to all the haters and whingers and moaners i bet they all have the prequels on dvd and will go out and buy the clone wars film on dvd . Ok the 2d clone wars series was good but it also had alot of things that sucked like the stupid creatures that anakin goes off to rescue . And as for yoda and mace jumping around in the air slicing up droid fighters come on and the wack creatures in the arena that asajj ventress is fighting they suck but i still loved it all the same ! I dont know what my point is but im just gonna enjoy whats left of star wars and this tv series cant be as bad as the terrible ewok cartoons or the lame ass droid cartoons . Look at all the other films of today ! Most are pretty lame and forgettable and most of the films that came out this year were nothing special and a bit of a let down . The world today is in a bit fucking mess so when i get to see the this new tv it will be a chance to switch off and become a kid again for 20 mins or so and smile and to all the haters for fucks sake lighten up and get back in touch with your inner child .
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There making a movie but As far as TV the main staple of The Star Trek Universe thats done. The Prequel may have made money but there quality is debateble the story in Force unleashed is good but the gameplay unfortunately discredits it as being a good. The Best Star Wars games is still KOTOR I & II.
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I think uncle george lucas should give a billion dollars to those dudes who make Battle Star Galactica get them to make his live action tv show just imagine that ! FUCK !
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I fucking loved Wonderfalls.
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Oct. 3, 2008, 8:31 p.m. CST
The First Episode was Great- Fuck the Haters!
by DRACULA_WANTS_THE_AMULET
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because they have the arrested development of, say, 14 year-olds, they can't comprehend that Clone Wars is really made for and loved by kiddles, about 8 and under, maybe even 10 and under. I've sat through much worse in a theater, stuff that was made for 'adults.' And there was a part of Star Wars that was always for children, unlike Star Trek, which appealed the smarter 10 year olds in its original run. Meanwhile just saw a TV ad for City of Ember, totally cut for kid appeal. You may now return to your idiotic Lucas raped my childhood wah wah wah pussyboys complaining.
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called "The Mighty Sons of Hercules." Cue the '60s movie theme...
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not bad for the first 2 episodes.......
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Droids just cut a the main window out of one of the escape pods and those unmasked clone troopers came flying out and choked to death. That scene right there just won my respect. They are willing to push things a bit. Side Characters face real danger.
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Tight little plots. Yoda's pep talk to the clones. Character development. A bit of tension. I like.
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Oct. 3, 2008, 9:09 p.m. CST
Yoda was the shit, good to see him being mischievous again.
by Stereotypical Evil Archer
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Oct. 3, 2008, 9:11 p.m. CST
2nd show was OK, I expected more submarine homage.
by Stereotypical Evil Archer
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Totally missed the references to them. Nice.
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Oct. 3, 2008, 9:13 p.m. CST
The character animation is lacking; Force Unleashed was a better
by Stereotypical Evil Archer
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Also a better era, maybe there is hope for a great Star Wars live action television show.
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Oct. 3, 2008, 9:17 p.m. CST
More hunter-killer sub action would've been sweet.
by Stereotypical Evil Archer
Take the good ideas and improve them for the television series.
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was the only good thing about Clone Wars. Without him, this series is garbage.
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Couple of really cool nods to the original movie...
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Better than the movie episodes, I thought. I just don't like the Roger Roger droids. So annoying for robots.
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.... the last 3-4 seconds of "This Season on Clone Wars...." "It's a lot easier without them shooting back at us" SLAM
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Silly Mose.
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Oct. 3, 2008, 10:35 p.m. CST
Only Two Good Star Wars Films Have Ever Been Produced!!!
by Media Messiah
Yes, there are only two good Star wars movies. Those films are Star Wars: A New Hope and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Beginning with Return of The Jedi, every Star Wars film has been horrible!!! Only 2 out 6 films that are good to great films, and the rest, simple trash???!!!! Even the Star Trek franchise has now produced more good to great films, vs. bad...what a complete shocker that there would be such an utter and complete reversal of fortune for Star Wars????
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...and be done with it? By the buzz I'm hearing it had better plotlines than this new animated show.
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That looked like it might be a live action version of the Ben 10 cartoon they have. Couldn't say for sure though. <p> I enjoyed these two episodes. I know this series catches a lot of flack for "we already know what is going to happen to these characters", but as long as it gives us more stuff like this, it will be fine. Getting to see characters like Plo, who really only got to just sit around and look interesting in the movies, actually speak and do things is nice. So long as they actual show some real character moments/development, and have solid stories, this could surprise a lot of people.
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This series would be absolutely GREAT for a show aimed at young teens, but that is enjoyable for all ages IF it weren't for those damn comic relief battle droids. <p> Seriously, cut the Larry, Moe, and Curly comedy and you have gold!!!
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I actually really enjoyed it. I dont know what I was expecting with a star wars TV series, but this made me smile.
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i may check this out...not sure ,couldnt get thru the "movie" ...i turned it off when they gave anakin a padawan and called him "master" when this takes place btween 2 and 3 and anakin wasnt even given that title in part 3....so i might check it out....im actually more interested in the live-action series coming in 2010
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I mean, it's over folks. Let it rest in peace.
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I was freaking 5years old when I saw Star Wars Ep4. I understood it and loved it. By the time I was 10 it was obvious that Empire was the best and that Jedi was the worst of the original trilogy. Unless kids have become incredibly less sophisticated in the last 20 years they'll probably think the same. For this post JarJar shit to even seem valid as age specific entertainment they'd have to be targeting it at fuckin preschoolers.
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But I doubt the kids will ever be enraptured with this as the hula hoop.
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right ?
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It's really not as bad as you think it is, it's not great and it's no Empire Strikes Back...but nothing is ever going to be Empire. This is better than The Droids cartoon was and that's a good thing.
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Does that annoying bitch padawan from the movie die in the series? does she get raped by a Hutt? is she sliced open and used as warmth? if the answer to none of these questions is Yes, then this series will be shit
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Christ on a cracker it's not meant for us Star Wars nerds in our thirties! My kids absolutely love it and they should, they're kids!
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My 3 month year old loved the Clone Wars...he also pooped in his diaper, and then he threw up a green liquid onto his mother's breasts as she was changing him. Then she screamed that she couldn't take it anymore and that this isn't what she wanted out of life, and I told her that if she wanted to leave she could and I would take care of the baby and then she started crying and said she would be okay she just needed to lay down for awhile. Yes, I highly recommend the show.
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but a mixed bag.....certainly both episodes were better than any of the reviews would lead you to believe...I have hope for the rest of the series... its good to see StarWars once again
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Anakin WAS a Master between 2 and 3. The whole dispute he has in the beginning of 3 is that they won't let him reside on the Council.
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It was actually a LOT of fun. <br> Sure some of the stuff with the droids was awful. But watching Yoda lead three wounded clone troopers around while taking on a battalion was great great stuff. <br> The scene where Yoda made them take their helmets off and taught them about their individuality and the Force was very well done. <br> Actually watch it... dummies.
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THAT OPENING! DAMN! That's the worst thing at the beginning of a show since the crappy theme song to "Enterprise!" SHUT THAT GUY UP! He makes the "background info" for each episode sound like a game show announcement on crystal meth. If they don't want to do the "crawl," how about a simple text screen over a starfield background, with a dignified, low-key announcer and ominous Williamsesque music, making it sound like something momentous is happening. I know what they're trying for--the tone of the movie newsreel that played between the serial and the main feature on a Saturday afternoon. BUT IT'S NOT WORKING, guys. It just sounds stupid.
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If grown men and women spent as much time tearing down the Ewoks animated series. If something like this would have been rolling when I was 10 years old I would have been in heaven. Do you people even realize how foolish you make yourselves look? Don't answer that.
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as it gets you right into the story....and is a better fit for the format
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So it seems here that those that have actually WATCHED the first episodes have enjoyed them and found them fun. It's a animated TV series and one that looks like it's going to be worth watching - IF you are a Star Wars fan. If not, if you really ARE of the opnion that Star Wars movies stopped being good after 1980 then geez...move along. Move along. As Arteska has just said if we had had THIS instead of DROIDS or EWOKS as kids we would have lapped it up. So, I will be watching this (being in the UK and NOT having Sky Movies I may be in for a long wait) and allow my 10yr old self to enjoy it. Just as it did the Clone Wars Movie a few weeks back. Just as it enjoyed the Prequels. I love me the old skool stuff, and yes it will always be the most special in my heart, but I'm digging that there is still NEW Star Wars coming out and I'm still enjoying it. Let's not let the whiners get us Star Wars fans down people. Say it loud and say it proud. Yeah, I still like Star Wars and if you don't like it then you can go kiss a wookiee! (which I can arrange)
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More adult than I expected, thankfully. Droids killing people in cold blood by sucking them out into space. If they can figure out a way to make the bad guys more threatening then this thing could take off. Having each episode focus on a different Jedi should work nicely. Fans of Star Wars should enjoy this, not sure about the general public.
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Episodes aired last evening are already available on itunes and presumably the rest of this season will follow. North American DVD release of the what was in theatres is November 11 I think.
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As much as I like SW, I think lucas is pimping the Clone wars stuff a bit too much dontcha think? The first animated series was actually good to my surprise despie the charcter designs/animation being a bit simplified but now an animated movie that sucked followed by a weekly series?WTF at least do produce an animated series based on some of the novels or even the force unleashed videogame.As for the new series itself, it's ok but the first one(by Tartakovsky) was much better.<p>And yes ROTS still owned.
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so it's a series based on a movie that was itself a retelling of a series that had already aired on the same channel this new series is going to air on... why does no one else have a problem with this?
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I like the "idea" of an announcer rather than a crawl (for the benefit of the children watching) - but his voice was terribly unfitting! <p> so only 2 marks against it, by my count: 1. Bad announcer 2. shitty comedy from the battle droids.
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No, the series is not based on the movie that came out in August. That movie was the first three episodes of this series stitched together into a feature, as a big kick-off to the whole run. And even though there was a Clone Wars series of shorts on Cartoon Network a few years back, they all take place in the days directly leading into Revenge of the Sith. This series is more towards the beginning of the Clone Wars...
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but I agree with that the droid act should stop. It's also puzzling that of all the era's to shoose from we would get more Clone Wars. Why not something featuring Vader? Anything from post-III to pre-VI would have been awesome! No cutsie droid army, I guess...
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I mean fucking seriously!!! the extended City of Ember bullshit was annoying. For this to be such a "big" deal, they could've aired it commercial free. Horrible repetitive writing and yeah that announcer at the intros is just a rip off of the serials of the past like Star Wars itself. I never imagined W atto's home planet looking like a spongebob set.. Lame!
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u obviously werent paying attention to part 3....wace mindu clearly tells anakin they will allow him on the council but do not grant him the title of "master"...to which he replied "what?!" im sure its on youtube or something....look it up...anyone else wanna back me up with this one ?
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Yet Lucas insist on cramming it down our throats! Quiet honestly, who cares at this point. We get it Anakin turns to the Darkside and becomes Darth Vader. What happened before that, who cares. Anakin had an apprentice?, oooh. What else did you make up Lucas?, or approve? Oh yeah Vader had an apprentice and Jedi are still roaming the galaxy.
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I meant
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that's being saved for the live action series....which is supposed to cover events between Ep 3&4 featuring new characters and some familiar ones
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true what we've seen so far- Genndy's lame ass series -ok storyline HORRIBLE artwork-and in the beginning of Ep 3 hasn't been that interesting...I am looking forward to seeing more about the Clone Wars... and between this and the live action series I hope we get better information on how the Jedi order was wiped out by a bunch of clones when the order managed to keep the peace for generations....'sides surely there had to be other survivors of Order 66 besides Kenobi and Yoda....
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Think how actually evil the droids are for a moment. Even though they act stupid "Roger,roger" and say stupid things, they're still killing people. Even if they didn't say those things, they would still be doing the same deed of killing people. It makes them more disturbing when they seem like harmless idiots all the while they're slaughtering people. Ex. The second episode when the droids were hunting for surviors in the escape pods. One droid was humming a happy little tune while he was on his way to break the window to suck out the remaining surviving trooper. That shows how much they show no respect for life, compared to just a silent killing droid. Take the Joker for example. He's more dangerous than just a silent killer, because due to the fact he can have fun while killing.
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The look of the show seems more old school Star Wars than the prequels. Also, the characters actually have personality! And you can actually tell what's going on in the space battles, unlike the prequels. This all proves that George Lucas should stay away from directing anything ever again, and to stay away from writing screenplays. Just stick to story and producing. btw.....I WANT TO SEE LOTS OF EPISODES OF PADME!!!!!!!
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Oct. 4, 2008, 9:28 p.m. CST
END THE SERIES WITH A REMAKE OF "REVENGE OF THE SITH"
by Earthquake WestCoast
They should eventually end the series by remaking "Revenge of the Sith", but through a different point of view of the events in that film. This way it will mean more when you see Anakin do what he does, since by then you would of actually cared about him (unlike the live action prequels) and it would make it sadder when you can show the eventual death of Ahsoka at the hands of Anakin. It would be awesome if they did that. If Lucas can go back and change the original films (films that didn't need any changes), then why couldn't he go back and change film that did need changes (the prequels).
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This one is garbage, especially with all the stupid robot jokes. The last one with 5 minute episodes or whatever was MUCH better.
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there is plenty to like in what has been seen so far. If we had been given something like this when we were in our Star Wars years as kids it would have made Saturday mornings even more awesome than they were. If you've been harboring bile for going on close to 10 years now over The Phantom Menace you might want to ask why you are even concerning yourself with this.
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Didn't see the "movie" when it was released, but if these first two eps are any guide, the series should be fun to watch. The only gripe I have is the droid silliness, but then the droids of SW have always been a bit silly. If this remains the only pander to kids in most episodes, I can deal with it.
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Fuck you.
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I mean, it's just hilarious to see an angry "Fuck you, Lucas" from a guy calling himself SlickyVonBoner. Heh heh.<p>Oh, and this show was fun and not too bad at all. I enjoyed the one starring Yoda, with his laughing and cool use of the Force, letting the droids blow themselves up instead of doing it himself. The little popping in the hologram and beheading that droid was great. The droid humor's mostly terrible, but the "But I was just promoted!" line was funny.
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Oct. 5, 2008, 1:38 a.m. CST
There was that preview of a JAR JAR episode...
by Stereotypical Evil Archer
Mesa dinkin' gungans luv dis show!
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The announcer sounds like the same guy from Starship Troopers. Seems out of place. At least there's no 4 minute text crawl to start each show. How annoying would THAT be? <p> I think the first 2 episodes were pretty good. For a show aimed at children it can still be watched by adults. I do find it funny that in between Episode 2 and 3 Anankin had a padawan yet she was nowhere to be found in Episode 3. Who knows maybe she lived.... <p> I really DO hope they make SOMETHING based on The Force Unleashed though. Even a CGI movie would be cool. It has a really cool story and so long as they don't screw it up (i'm only half way through the game) it COULD be really good.
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Come on dudes...I'm 25 years old and I WISH I had a Star Wars show like this when I was a kid. <P> Yeah, the worse part about it was all of the corny droid humor but it IS for kids. <P> I enjoyed it. <P> Long live Star Wars.
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..du to the popularity of the somewhat lackluster videogame.What is TFU's greatest asset i the plot/story presentation. Hopefully it will go into fruition,but that would mean a three year wait till it's release and the way thngs are going these days, the World might just end.
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..Wolverine and the X-men? a much better series.I'm down to my 5th ep and it hasn't lost it's momentum yet.Most yanks will have to wait next year to see just the 1st episode. (it debuts February 2009) unless you're "savvy" *wink*
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the characters COULD show up in the upcoming live action show.....
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...that takes place between episodes 3 & 4. That can be followed by another TV series that takes place between episodes 4 & 5, which deals with the Empire's search for the Rebels. Then we can have another series that takes place between episodes 5 & 6, which deals with Luke's incestous relationship with Leah, because somehow he had no idea he was porking his twin sister. Oh yes, Luke took advantage of Han being frozen. Perhaps there can be yet another TV series that takes place right after episode 6, which deals with the fall of the Empire and Luke's...Jesus Christ, Lucas, give it a fucking rest already...move on to something else!!! Do you want Star Wars: the Clone Wars to turn into Star Trek: Enterprise? How about a Howard the Duck reboot?
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there still plenty of tales to tell...and certainly a market for them....
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Yes, I actually quite liked this. WHAT a relief !! :)
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You are correct. What I meant to say if I hadn't rushed myself and muddled the details in my mind is that part of the Jedi training to be promoted from Jedi Knight to Jedi Master is to successfully train a padawan learner. Anakin is conferred the status of Knight at the outset of the Clone Wars as a sort of emergency action. By the time of ROS he's clearly ready to be conferred the status of Master, which the Council finally begrudgingly gives him then though he's barred from being able to sit on a Council seat.
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Could not have said it better myself. I thought the prequels were OK, but forgettable. I feel the same about this series. If you LOVE the originals, but HATE the prequels then this is not likely your bag. But if you LOVE the prequels and think the original trilogy looks dated you will likely enjoy this. I can say that if I was a kid, I would not be able to get enough of this... when I was 7 I couldn't wait for the Droids & Ewoks animated series and the live action Ewok MOWs. So I think for kids (especially young boys) this is a home run.
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I'd like an honest review from the staff or even known talkbackers and not the usual Lucasfilm plants and apologists (all you guys with "Sith" and other SW refs as handles).
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Oct. 5, 2008, 4:14 p.m. CST
It's funny. We all thought Ewoks were as bad as it could get.
by alienindisguise
I definitley agree with the sentiment that was said about kids like shit and that is true. Kids today don't understand story nor do they want one because their mindless turds. Lucas must think that if you throw enough lightsabers in there and a ship flyby every 3 seconds that it's good enough but it's not. Far from it.
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If you aren't used to seeing my name around these boards then you're obviously a casual site reader. I've been a very strong poster here the past 10 years. Known talk-backer? I may not be as infamous as Lane Meyers back in the day, but I am one of the most frequent posters, especially with all horror-related stuff...
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My point was that I'm obviously not a Lucasfilm plant, if that eases your perceptions of my honesty. Apologist though because of my user name? Depends on your point-of-view. I've only ever had honest positive reactions to all SW-related film and television material, so I could never imagine being "an apologist". Now the novels on the other hand...I'd be all for forgetting those even exist outside of the novelised films.
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Two solid episodes on Friday. Pretty compelling Star Wars stuff. Compared to the crap they slapped together and threw up on the big screen this summer.
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If the entire clone wars movie was about Yoda, it would have gotten amazing reviews. After the crapdfest the movie was and a waste of money and brain cells I will never get back, the first episode with Yoda and the trooper team should have been stretched into a two or three episode arc of survival. That would have been worth 9 bucks for and every single old timer fan would have loved it.. I'm sick and tired of Anakin and the character in this cartoon of Anakin doesn't match up at all with how Anakin acted in the second and third movie's.. Anakin is too nice and polite.. Overall focus on Yoda and Mace and you got a great cartoon. Focus on more of the same tired Anakin crapfest and his Padawan and you will have a loser of a series..
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But, oh well. I liked the Yoda episode, what with the little frog sitting and meditating in front of an enemy force and trying to teach zen force mastery to soulless clones. I also like when that weird Jedi with the fork chin essentially does the same thing for three more soulless clones. And I like the actor playing Anakin much better. My eight year old boy liked it as much as Ben 10. I also remember saying, "Whoah!" when the droids broke through the ships hull. I paused it and told my boy about the explosive decompression versus quick-freeze theories of death in space. Good family fun!
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A common crit of the "movie" for Clone Wars was that it felt like it belonged on TV, it didn't have big screen production values and it was paced like three episodes stitched together (which it was, but that didn't earn it many breaks). Having taken the critics' advice and saved my money, I'm still waiting to actually SEE this thing. Trouble with my DVR is preventing me from seeing the premiere (what, watch TV live? Never!), so I may hate it as much as everyone else, but as far as TV critics vs movie critics, I think you can tell from their comments that the production itself plays better on a small screen because that's what it was intended for--but unfortunately a small screen is NOT where Star Wars belongs at all.
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There, I said it. Not a big-screen movie by any means, but far better than some of the dreck you can drag your kids along to see. Works much better as a show though. The new format gives enough time to breathe without overstaying its welcome, which was one of my major probs with the movie. Quite liked that in both episodes, the Jedi masters indicated that their clone charges were not expendable. Nice bit of delicious irony when you consider Order 66. "Rise of the Dark Lord" has a decent spin on that particular event. Well worth a read/listen for the completist.
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Is at his most bearable in the Clone Wars, except for his last scenes in Jedi.
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I'm a tool. It's "Dark Lord : The Rise of Darth Vader" that has an interesting spin on Order 66.
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The Book "Order 66" just recently came out
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... and it's understandable that sometimes he just screws up, like his bloated over-directed (by his own confession) TPM. Anyway, this toon series is just real Star Wars -- get over it fanboys !!! :P
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I must be having a stroke! Those were actually two decent episodes of TV I just saw (first two episodes I guess, clearly not the same episodes shown as the movie). Yeah, the roger roger robots suck, and it's obviously a kid's show. It reminds me most of GI Joe, with the variety of characters who can step up to star in an episode. This is the show I was dying to see when I was 11 though. And the episodes I just saw were more like Star Wars than the prequels. They actually had some suspense there for that ion cannon escape, and Yoda's Clone interaction had some gravitas knowing how the betrayal goes down at the end of the Clone Wars. I guess I know now that my brain has finally been reduced to soggy mush, or maybe I've stopped holding the whole thing up so high that nothing can reach it. Whatever the reason, I might actually be entertained by this series, so lucky me!
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Aicn did not spring for cable in the underworld :)
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Infamous, some might say... And I fucking LIKED the first episode of The Clone Wars. I'm going to watch the others now, but I expect I'll enjoy those too. I think they have the tone and pacing right, and I think the voice acting is top-notch. Yes, EVEN THE BATTLE DROIDS. <p> The way I see it with the battle droids, they're no different than the cheesy humor in A New Hope. "Walking carpet", growl at mouse droid, "you're braver than I thought", "flyboy", "OK Han, you put these on him.", "He tricked me into going this way!", and so on. If you guys can accept Yoda's humor in Empire, and Chewie's Tarzan yell in Jedi, then I don't know why you'd think the battle droids are stupid-- They're on the same level. Creepier, actually, because they're committing acts of mass murder while acting that way. <p> And come on! It's a whole series in which Ventress gets some play, where Yoda can be a main character, where Jedi fight some kickass battles, where clone troopers are shown to have individual personalities, where Anakin comes off a lot less stiff and dull--- It's what the prequels should have been. <p> My only complaint is that they stuck with Tartakovsky's models as inspiration for the characters, when I know they could have done photo-realistic characters with the same amount of effort. Genndy's work wasn't that amazing. It was good, but it was WAYYYY over-the-top, and it was so damn pointless most of the time; Very low on plot, very high on action, and he designed the characters to fit that formula. In this new series, when the characters get to having calm conversations, the animated nature of their faces reminds you that this is a cartoon. Honestly, I think they should have scrapped everything Genndy's version inspired, and came up with their own designs based on the movies. <p> What it comes down to is that if you're an old, jaded hatergeek who can't watch "Attack of the Clones" and have a good time, then you should probably stop watching Star Wars and wait for BSG or the new Trek. <p> However, if you're a *real* Star Wars fan who doesn't think George Lucas personally owes you the story you constructed in your head when you were a kid, and you enjoy the EU books or the prequels, then you'll enjoy The Clone Wars. It's more of the Star Wars you have always enjoyed.
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Hola!
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And instead wants to get his panties in a bunch over the possibility that a Whedon show might get cancelled again, I'll have to do my follow-up here. <p> I just finished watching the next three episodes of The Clone Wars, and I have to say the show is pretty fucking awesome. <p> I also find myself highly entertained by the battle droids and their innate stupidity. As noted previously, it's sort of creepy that these idiot droids are saying such nonchalant, funny things while they're killing people. In one episode, they're cutting open escape pods, releasing people to the vacuum of space, and gleefully humming happy tunes and making bad jokes. It's almost gruesome, and it gives some insight into the kind of minds that programmed the despicable things. <p> It's also pretty funny watching them get themselves destroyed due to their limited programming and lack of an ability to filter what they say or do. Twice now, a droid has said something boneheaded while next to Grievous and gotten destroyed for it. In one scene, Obi Wan fights off a huge squadron of battle droids, droidekas, and super battle droids by force-pushing the droidekas into the others. After he wipes out the majority of them, and JUST MISSES destroying Grievous before fleeing the scene, there's a pause and then the droid next to Grievous says, "Well, THAT was impressive!" only to get smashed by Grievous a moment later. It was great comic timing-- Not comedy at the Jar-Jar level, but comedy at the Han & Chewie level. Clearly, Star Wars benefits from not having George Lucas script all the dialogue. <p> Another great droid moment was on the bridge of a warship that fires an ion cannon to disable enemy ships and then picks them off while they're sitting ducks. Two gunner droids are at their station, and Grievous has come to stand between them. One says, "You know, this is a whole lot more fun when they can't shoot back!" and the other droid says, "I *still* can't hit anything-" *BAM!* His head is knocked off violently by Grievous, who grumbles at the stupidity of his troops. <p> Anakin is MUCH more interesting in this series than he was in the prequels. Every so often we get glimpses of the man who would be Vader; We see his decisiveness, his brilliance as a commander, and his prowess as a Jedi. Even his padawan is tolerable in small doses (and she does grow on you. Her calling him "Skyguy" happens maybe once in an episode, and it doesn't come off any different than Han calling Chewbacca "Chewie"). <p> Grievous is quite likable as a villain. The voice is the same, and this obviously takes place after Genndy's Clone Wars and his encounter with Windu, as he's coughing here, too. (Also, Anakin's got the scar on his eye, and 3PO is gold, so this takes place shortly before RoTS). <p> For anyone who complains that "we know what happens so there's no tension", you're wrong. There's plenty of tension, but even moreso, gravitas. Knowing what happens to these characters makes it more interesting because we know their eventual fates, and we see how they got to that point. We see more of them, learn who they were, and it makes their deaths seem even more sad. Now that I've actually gotten to like Plo Koon, his brief "shot from behind" scene in RoTS will have a different meaning. We can only assume Anakin's padawan meets a grim fate before this series ends, as she's clearly not present in RoTS. Even the clones get some attention and personal stories, and we learn to appreciate them as individuals rather than as expendable droid proxies. <p> I stick by my original review-- Unless you're a jaded old geek who is miffed that Lucas didn't write the story you had in your head, you'll probably like Clone Wars. It's surprisingly adult, even though it has a lot of light moments for the kids. It's not afraid to shed some blood to propel the story, and yet it realizes that part of the charm of Star Wars is that it mixes the best of space opera with some humor and light moments. If you ever liked Star Wars, I implore you to give it a chance. At least watch the first four episodes. <p> Ultimately, what makes this work is that a lot of the baggage the movies carried is gone. There are no actors working against green screens here, and as a result, the acting is better than the movies. Somehow, that "sells" it more. Unlike some moments in the movies, the characters here are really IN that galaxy, and they don't seem as out-of-place when they're interacting with it. <p> And of course, the fact that we're getting stories that aren't completely written by one man is lending to the diversity of the series. The Clone Wars does something that a lot of Star Wars naysayers have been begging for since The Phantom Menace: It lets other creative people play in Lucas' world, to great effect. It's the fresh perspective you've been begging for. <p> (Oh, and Hola! Orcus! Some of us old-timers do hang on.)
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