STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS- A GALAXY DIVIDED

Four episodes on single disc edition DVD from LUCASFILM ANIMATION

DVD release by WARNER BROTHERS DVD

Reviewed by Scott Weller

Whilst we anxiously await both the full Season One DVD box set, with promised blossoming extras, and what looks set to be an equally trailblazing Second Season later in the fall, this four episode DVD collection of THE CLONE WARS (titled A GALAXY DIVIDED) -we assume it’s a one off release- will certainly help satiate fans desires in the meantime.

In fact, it’s very interesting, eight months on from its original baptism of fire, to go back and see how the series has developed from its early beginnings. Certainly the animation, though already good, would greatly improve with time as LUCASFILM’s producers and its Singapore animation studio established themselves, and the stories have certainly become more serious and character based by the end of the premiere run. The decision to go with the four opening episodes, however, not only seems logical, but I think they also have the right spirit to appeal to the conscious younger family buying audience that this release is ultimately aiming for...

Being the most readily recognizable and symbolic face of the STAR WARS SAGA, and having not really been utilized in the first, and probably sadly last, THE CLONE WARS animated movie, Jedi Master Yoda was the natural choice to launch the weekly series in the episode AMBUSH. And it’s a terrific opening primer, too- the beloved character used to the full within the story and it’s heavy action-whether launching himself like a one man army into attacking Trade Federation forces and decapitating comedy battle droids left right and centre, stopping deadly Sith Apprentice, Asajj Ventress, with the power of the Force or imparting vital, emotive words of wisdom to keep the morale of his Clone Trooper colleagues up against overwhelming odds, Yoda is the man, or should I say the frog? He is the backbone and true highlight of the story. We also mustn’t overlook the stunning planetary backdrop that the adventure takes place in, nor the appearance of the Toydarian race (previously represented by the scheming Watto from THE PHANTOM MENACE), both elements also adding greatly to the season premiere. Additionally, the once faceless Clone Trooper forces start to show real depth from this episode onwards-something that is picked up on and developed further in later excellent episodes such as ROOKIES and THE HIDDEN ENEMY. Though simple in story, AMBUSH still works well and would prove an audience record breaking, and terrific, start to the series on television-and this particular episode has proved it’s legs, being the most popular in repeats and in official online US downloads via ITUNES-it seems Yoda strikes a chord with all ages and will be immortal. RISING MALEVOLENCE follows, and is a total contrast with AMBUSH-equally good but a completely different, darker and more subtly violent show, and one where the heroes only just survive their encounter with General Grievous (old wheezy being brought to vocal life once more by Prequel sound veteran Matthew Wood). Directed by Dave Filoni-the Series superior supervising director- the story is the first of a trilogy showing the Separatist super weapon spaceship/ THE MALEVOLENCE striking terror into the heart of the Republic space lanes, whilst also introducing and developing new characters in the animated STAR WARS CLONE WARS universe-namely brave Jedi Knight Plo Koon, who finally gets the chance to show some serious heroism (and we get to hear what he sounds like, too!!) as he tries to keep his surviving Clones, lifeboat stranded in a debris field in deep space, alive in the desperate hope of rescue. SHADOW OF MALEVOLENCE continues, and takes both the story and the audience into greater space adventure territory, and this is certainly my favourite episode of the disc, as heroic, not yet turned to the Dark Side, Anakin shows his mettle, alongside his Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, as they lead a squadron of prime in their life Y-wing fighters into a fearless attack plan on the MALEVOLENCE before it can destroy vital Republic medical bases- an undertaking in itself that leads to several hair raising moments and ends with the kind of epic space battle sequence that we’ve always loved STAR WARS for-perhaps its all the clever nods/references to the original 1977 film’s DEATH STAR fighter/trench, the fact that we get to see Anakin at his heroic best, or the equally inspiring retro production design homage to the used, and unused, work by people like Ralph McQuarrie and Joe Johnston, that help make this one a total winner for me.

Finally, DESTROY MALEVOLENCE brings the three part story arc to a close as all our main heroes are now joined by Padme (lovely to have her back after her cameo-like appearance in THE CLONE WARS movie) and Threepio (as ever played by the reliable Anthony Daniels, providing a warm feeling in hearing his voice that’s almost like sitting on a really comfy old sofa!!), previously stranded on the MALEVOLENCE as it makes its heavily damaged, fiery retreat away from superior Republic forces. Mounting a final sabotage mission, but also a rescue of his beloved, secret wife, Anakin, alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi (once more excellent voiced by James Arnold Taylor) and Artoo-Detoo must tread the huge corridors and dangerous battle droid infested intersections of the mighty death-throed spaceship in order to fulfill their mission- one that will lead them once more into deadly conflict with Grievous. DESTROY MALEVOLENCE continues to be one of the most popular episodes of Season One with fans, I feel, because, as mentioned earlier, all of the main cast are together again in this installment, and it has the kind of adventure and excitement that once more harkens back to the Classic Trilogy. Sadly, the denouement is slightly weak and wraps up too quickly, as Anakin is able to very easily hot wire some computer components in sending the once unstoppable ship crashing into a nearby moon-it all seems waayy too easy. Fortunately for us, but not for our heroes, General Grievous lives to wheeze another day, bringing further terror and destruction to the galaxy in later episodes.

Transferred straight from the masters, THE CLONE WARS DVD will be an audio/visual delight, with skin tone/background depth and colour, and a sound balance, much better than anything for the show that that was seen on SKY MOVIES PREMIERE in the UK, even in its HD screenings. As for the aspect ratios, I have to say I’ve given up on this controversy, as the disc, the actual television episodes, for the most part, shown on SKY and on the US CARTOON NETWORK have all been in such differing croppings that I can’t really tell anymore which is the correct one to watch the show in (this disc is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen, according to the DVDACTIVE website). The complete lack of even the simplest kind of extras is equally frustrating-we could have had something-even the very short directors episodic commentaries on STARWARS.COM from Dave Filoni would have been welcome, or even episodic trailers for the four installments themselves.

At £12.99, the price is a bit steep, but you can be consoled by the fact that it can be purchased online at most places for a much better £7.99. I personally think it should have been released at that latter price from the onset. So, the DVD has a great set of episodes, overall. But, I hear you ask, is this all just another opportunity for George Lucas and WARNER BROTHERS to milk as much money as they can prior to the full Season One box set release out towards the end of the year? Sure, but that is not said in a nasty way-there are many fans and non fans who haven’t seen the show who’ll probably want to purchase this as a dip-in and try it point, before deciding whether they want to see and purchase more. No one is putting a gun to your head and telling you to buy it. As a proper collector’s edition, A GALAXY DIVIDED would obviously fail to inspire, but this is not the DVD’s intention. It’s a four episode disc primarily designed to keep younger families/children, who need their STAR WARS fix on a more accessible, regular basis, entertained. This disc will be played over and over, mostly at weekends probably, until it’s totally worn out. On that level, this single disc effort makes excellent sense as a release and will succeed in its objective.

STAR WARS AFICIONADO RATING: Though the lack of any disc extras is disappointing, the four episodes themselves are a terrific early example of the potential of the CLONE WARS series- beautifully rendered, and full of colour, action and excitement worthy of the STAR WARS name. Episodes overall rating: 8 out of 10. DVD overall rating: 7 out of 10.