Clone Wars (Spoilers)

[David]

I watched the film this afternoon and really enjoyed it.

I had read the book before seeing it so I knew roughly what the story would be. I wasn't all hyped up and I wasn't expecting too much largely because I thought it would be for a very young audience, plus I wasn't too impressed in the animation style after seeing the trailer. I much preferred the original animated CW series style.

I knew there would be no crawl but I wish they had included it. The intro did work though and got us jumped straight in to the action. I thought the film was very well paced and put together. Action, action and more action. There was lots of cool stuff that they could pull off in this format that would not have worked in a traditional Star Wars movie. It would have looked way to OTT and stupid but here it worked impressively.

I got so sucked in to this film that despite my pre-conceptions I loved the animation style. There was a much bigger bodycount than I expected. The battle scenes were really well done. I sat through the entire film with a big grin on my face.

There is good news on the potential toy front too. Cannons, Tank Droids, Tri Droids, Solar Sailor, cool looking Scout clones, Jabba and his goons, Ziro etc. Oh and I really want an animated Jawa.

All I want to know is when does the tv series start - channel, date & time please. Bring it on.

[cloudcity]

Thank for that David, that has reassured me a bit.


All i seem to have read all week is nothing but begativity and hate towards Lucas and this movie. It seems the internet, critics and anyone who is in a mood has banded together and taken it all out on this movie.

I agree that it is four years too late, and it should have come out in 2004/5. It would have delayed Episode 3 a year or so but we all would have waited, and I think it would have added to RTS box office as it would have generated more buzz and more fans.

But it seems too many people are keen to jump on the old 'put-down' bandwagon and think they're a critic. So it is refreshing and rewarding to hear what you thought David.


So c'mon fanboys and girls, The Clone Wars are finally here.

[Commandergree]

Just watched this with the kids today - at least they loved it! I was disappointed.

Good points - lots of action, loads of clones including those cool scout clones that David mentioned, giant battle tanks/AT TE/canons, amusing scenes with comedy battle droids

Bad points - not much of a plot, samey battles, once again under-use of cool villain (Asajj Ventress), a new annoying Jar Jar-like character in the form of Ashoka

I'm trying hard not to be negative but for a movie, the plot was pretty lame with no reals surprises or twists. Yes, there was lots of action, but it was all pretty much the same - clones versus droids and not much invention in the ways the fighting was carried out. I remember some pretty fantastic action scenes with the original Clone Wars animated series - Kit Fisto underwater, Mace Windu taking on a droid army, General Grievous intimidating Jedi - nothing even close in this movie. Again, we have a cool villain in the form of Asajj Ventress but there was just too little menace about her and she was not used enough - and where the hell were Grievous and Durge? Her battle with Obi Wan was particularly lightweight and I really did not take to Anakin's new Padawan or the new Hutt as positive new additions to the Star Wars universe. The clones were nothing new since the only character they can really portray is a battle-hardened, dedicated soldier.

Perhaps I was expecting too much - as an intro to the animated series for children it is perfectly adequate and certainly, my kids and their friend seemed amused enough for 90 minutes. If I'm correct, it was actually intended to be the feature-length pilot for the upcoming animated tv series - Taken in that context, I guess it's actually a pretty good effort but I do not think it has enough to justify a box office release as a full-on movie. Somehow, I couldn't escape the feeling that when I left the cinema that I hadn't really just seen a "Star Wars movie", but a long cartoon advert for some upcoming Star Wars toys - which of course it was, and of course, I won't be able to stop myself from buying!!

[leia40]

Just a brief note on my thoughts of the clone wars film.

Watched it last night. my son thought it was great, I enjoyed it and so did my other half.There were fifteen people in the room.

I loved the music. I like Ashoka, of course shes a female. Oh and the baby hut was sooooooo cute. Sorry!

The battle scenes were fantastic and it was good to see the clones with their helmets off so you could see their individual styles and personality. My son thinks commander Rex is ace!

Cant wait for the maquettes to be released. Add to birthday list.

[cloudcity]

Why do I get the impression you're more into it than your kids?

[Mara Jade Skywalker]

i am watching it tonight and from what i have read it sounds like i may enjoy it.....pah, who am i kidding...i will enjoy it purely cause it is star wars

[cloudcity]

I won't be seeing it, not at the cinema anyway. My local doesn't show it after 6pm.

[Mara Jade Skywalker]

i didnt watch it at the cinema

and i agree that the little hutt is really cute. dont you just wanna keep him

[Commandergree]

Been looking at my new clone figures today and something puzzles me. In the original Clone Wars cartoon series, the clone armour changed from first generation to second generation about half-way through the series. I seem to recall that Anakin did not make Jedi Knight until the end of that series (after he went to that planet where he got all "tatooed-up" and had to free the males of the feline-type people who had been turned into big bear-like monsters). At that point, I seem to recall that Commander Cody was already in the second generation clone armour. Now in this movie, Anakin is already "Master Skywalker" i.e. is no longer a padawan, but the clones, including Cody, are still in first generation clone armour. Anybody got an explanation for this, or am I actually getting senile in my old age and have it completely wrong? Sorry to be a continuity geek but I knew there was something that didn't quite seem to fit when I watched the film....................

[cloudcity]

Sorry to be a continuity geek but I knew there was something that didn't quite seem to fit when I watched the film....................

Completely agree with you gree.

Unfortunately Lucas seems to have disregarded the TV series for this movie. In fact in many interviews he publicly disses Tartovsky's series. I feel this is a crying shame as I thought that both season's one and two were some of the best television in many years. I am leaning towards the opinion that they are better than all of the prequels.

[Lucky_13]

Watched this @ the weekend.

Like others, I wasn't expecting much from the film, however I did find it quite fun.
It won't be a movie I will re-watch numerous times though.

There was some fun action scenes and battles, but I felt that that was the only thing keeping the story going (That and showing more clones for your kids to buy )
The hut kidnap plot I felt to be pointless, and Anakin having a padawan just made it take away the idea of his cockiness & untrained ways portrayed in the films.

I know it was meant for kids but that's just my view

Cool scene with the AT-TE though!

[cloudcity]

I have finally gotten around to seeing this movie, and thought I would give you all my thoughts.


Having not gotten the opportunity to see it at a cinema near me, I forced myself to wait for the Blu-Ray launch. Unfortunately this title was launched at what I would call a ridiculous price, at over £20 in all retailers when most titles that are released usually under £20. So I waited for the price to drop as something in my mind kept telling me not to pay too much for a 'cartoon'. But to my woe this title kept increasing in price, £22.99 in Blockbuster, £20 pre-owned in Gamestation and no Zavvi or Woolworths anymore my only option was to keep my eyes peeled. On a trip to Plymouth I found it in HMV, but at the shocking price of £27!!! I resolved to purchase it on Amazon only to find it hovering around the £18 to £20 price range. So I gave up.

Last week my wife and I were in our local Blockbuster looking for something to watch over another wet bank holiday weekend. She found the Mummy 3 in their pre-owned 2 for £20 section. "Great" I said, find something else and we'll be sorted. What did she find? You guessed it . . . The Clone Wars. In the end this movie cost me £10. Was I happy? Yes. Did I feel like a cheap git? No.

So I settled down to watch on my own last Saturday afternoon.

And I loved it.

I must admit (again) that viewing on my home cinema makes a great experience out of most movies, and this one looked and sounded great. I had watched every episode of the recent Clone Wars TV series and deeply regretted not seeing this first - but would I have enjoyed the movie as much? Not sure but seeing it gave me a fresh appreciation of the series and I cannot wait for it to be available on Blu-Ray.

I do of course have some concerns about the movie, and that is because am over the age of 12.

Timing. I keep coming back to this because if this was in the pipeline between Episode 2 & 3 this movie would have had a massive box office take. Prequels are a huge risk, one which barely paid off for Lucas. And a prequel to a prequel? That's a tough sell.

Continuity. Another annoyance for most fans as a lot is ignored. Especially the animated TV that actually followed the movies which I loved but seems to have been disowned by Lucas and all concerned - not even a mention of it during the special features.

Image. Having every characteer look like something from that god-awful Captain Scarlet CGI series from a few years ago kinda irritated me. But this was soon forgotten and I was able to get past this.

Anakin. Now, we all know the purposed of the prequels. To show the journey/downfall of Anakin Skywalker from boy to Jedi to Sith. With plenty of hints in Attack of the Clones showing his gradual desent into darkness it felt strange to stop and watch hime as a happy go lucky cheerful Jedi Master. Doesn't sit easy with me, Anaking becomes a killer and a nasty one at that. I understand we are suposed to enjoy Anakin and Obi Wan's relationship but I nneded more darkness.

Ahsoka. Very annoying at first but likeable eventually. Again this is because I am not a pre-teen (honest) and a whiney little girl to me is . . . . a whiney little girl. Now I know a second series in currently in production, and I am looking forward to it. But if she doesn't get killed off at some point I will be seriously disappointed. Not because I am nasty or am fed up with her, but most of the Jedi have to be wiped out during or shortly after Episode 3. As she does not figure in Revenge of the Sith in any form she cannot survive. The big question is does Lucas has the guts to kill her off and possibly upset the kiddies?

In short, this movie was an enjoyable experience for me and I think will survive repeated viewings and I am pleased it ow sits well will my collection. Yes it is aimed at the kids and yes it does feel like an exercise to sell more toys, but I can get through that.