Star Wars: The Clone Wars
On May 25, 1977, George Lucas changed the cinematic world forever with a little movie that rewrote the record books and reconfigured our cultural understanding of the word blockbuster. Since then, Star Wars has been eclipsed at the domestic box office by a couple of movies by James Cameron and a dark tale about Batman. That said, I'd argue that no franchise in movie history can match the cultural impact of the Star Wars series. Let's put it another way: I doubt they'll be making cartoons about Avatar 33 years from now.
Which brings us to Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The CGI-animated show on Cartoon Network picks up where its 2008 big-screen premiere left off. Star Wars cognoscenti, of course, won't need a history lesson to explain where the titular Clone Wars fit in the franchise's timeline. For everyone else, a bit of backstory is in order.
The series chronicles the heroic exploits of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi during the three-year span between the live-action films Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. The two Jedi warriors fight on behalf of the Galactic Republic against the rogue droid armies of the Confederacy of Independent Systems—more commonly known as the Separatists—led by Jedi-gone-bad Count Dooku and the cyborg menace General Grievous.
That's the big picture. When it comes to individual episodes, each one focuses on a mission involving Obi-Wan (who's usually giving orders) and Anakin (who's almost always disobeying them). Often in the mix is a stubbornly independent young Jedi named Ahsoka Tano, Anakin's apprentice. Together, this trio's adventures span the galaxy, from Felucia to Coruscant, from Christophsis to Mandalore.
Each episode blends equal parts intrigue and battle as the Jedi and their allies seek to outflank cunning enemies—be it in space, on the ground or anywhere in between. Specific missions include getting supplies to a blockaded ally, helping indigenous peoples ward off interlopers or trying to defuse an assassination plot, among many other things.
Every installment also features a Yoda-like object lesson that flashes on the screen for emphasis. "Searching for the truth is easy. Accepting the truth is hard," reads one. "In war, truth is the first casualty," reads another.
As for the mystical energy field known as the Force, my words from The Clone Wars movie review are still relevant when it comes to the series as a whole: "Clone Wars assumes that viewers are already fully in the know regarding the pseudo-spiritual energy field that the Jedi harness for good and the Sith (dark Jedi) for ill. There are no long, expository conversations about the nature of the Force like the ones that pop up occasionally throughout the live-action films. Mostly, we see how it equips Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka … with superhuman agility in combat."
The twist is that many young (some very young) fans of The Clone Wars animated series may have never seen the movies that define such spiritual subtleties. It may well be Cartoon Network that introduces kids to Star Wars rather than Star Wars leading them to Cartoon Network. And that's a fact parents would do well to grapple with before granting carte blanch permission to travel to a certain galaxy far, far away.
Episode Reviews
"Bounty Hunters"
After getting shot down by Separatist forces, Obi-Wan, Anakin and Ahsoka find themselves stranded on the planet Felucia. Seeking a ride off the world, they stumble into a conflict between peace-loving farmers and a group of pirates who demand a share of their crops. The farmers have already contracted with bounty hunters for protection, but the Jedi's aid enables them to stand up to the pirates. This episode's stated lesson: "Courage makes heroes, but trust builds friendship." The underlying message here is that the best way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them.
Most of the battle scenes involve living, breathing combatants on both sides (as opposed to droids). One of the bounty hunters chokes a pirate to death and drops his lifeless body on the ground. Another pirate takes a spear to the chest. Laser- and cannon-fire blow up buildings and hovering speeders, resulting in further casualties on both sides.
"Cat and Mouse"
Anakin and Obi-Wan have been tasked with getting much-needed supplies to Senator Bail Organa on the besieged world of Christophsis. There's only one problem: It's being pummeled and blockaded by an impressive orbiting armada commanded by the spider-like General Trench.
Combat in this episode primarily consists of ships trading fire in space, with many resulting explosions and presumed casualties. A couple of brief scenes show General Trench's bombers devastating a city. (Mostly we see explosions there, too).
As is often the case in their relationship, Anakin has unilaterally decided that Obi-Wan's orders are not the best way to proceed. When he's labeled "reckless," Anakin responds, "Reckless … gets results." Likewise, When Obi-Wan says, "Might I remind you that this is not your mission," Anakin quips sarcastically, "You might."