KOOL TV REVIEW: 'STAR WARS - THE CLONE WARS' EPISODE GUIDE BOOK

Force-ful friends and foes gather for the supreme STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS - EPISODE GUIDE book. Images: DORLING KINDERSLEY.

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS - EPISODE GUIDE BOOK

Written by Jason Fry

Published by DORLING KINDERSLEY

Reviewed by Scott Weller

You never truly really appreciate what you've got until its gone-we took the highly successful STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS animated series for granted, that it would run for a few more years yet- “for as long as viewers want to see it”, I remember its creator George Lucas’s words passed down to fans a few years back- as the storytelling started to intriguingly make its way towards the epic events of EPISODE III. Well, with the sad retirement of Lucas and the selling of the STAR WARS franchise to DISNEY last year, the cancellation of the series with the completion of its fifth season was a creative decision that truly ripped the hearts out of the shows worldwide fans with the unexpected quickness of one of Mola Ram's hand thrusts, as millions mourned the passing of such a high quality series, especially one that had captured the dedication of so many younger viewers and families – surely the kind of target audience that DISNEY’s top shows have always aimed for.

 

Obi-Wan Kenobi faces off his against his lethal cyborg enemy, General Grievous, in Destroy Malevolence.

Regardless of its unexpected cancellation and loss, though, we can at least be consoled by the fact that the series did last an impressive five seasons and a very overall satisfying 108 episodes-a figure worthy of much celebration, courtesy of Jason Fry’s brand spanking new, beautifully designed EPISODE GUIDE book, from those marvels at DORLING KINDERSLEY, and which proves just the tonic to cheer us all up and remember the many good times we’ve spent watching Anakin and co.’s spectacular adventures, during an anxious but exciting time where we all await news on the next animated incarnation of the saga to come, set within a different era of STAR WARS history, and expected to arrive in TV households and Blu-ray/DVD in at least two or three years time.

Richly illustrated with hundreds of photos, the EPISODE GUIDE is the most comprehensive guide to the series yet, and, for the first time, presents them in the definite authorized story order chronicling our heroic Jedi and vicious Sith – form the blockade battle over the besieged world of Christophsis to the bombing of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Each half-hour adventure/mini-film is given an excellent spread with a terrific main image capturing its mood, accompanied by plot synopsis, highlights on the main characters, memorable dialogue and key scenes, plus a look at the planets, weapons and technology. Behind the scenes we also get first US transmission dates, production orders, some fun trivia about the way the various episodes were scripted and made, and the in-jokes/inspirations/homages, used in them, lifted either from other aspects of the STAR WARS saga or beyond, or from other pop culture forms of movies, TV series and entertainment.

 

The Clone Cadets begin their intense training on Kamino.

Despite early criticisms from fans towards its original feature length pilot (released in cinemas in 2008), the series that followed it ultimately exceeded fans eventual expectations in the way it deftly merged old and new characters from the Prequel and Classic STAR WARS universe so effectively, and filled in the incredible blanks of fantasy history during the tumoltuous three-year period in which the galactic civil war between Republic and Separatists was waged.There was also the bigger and bolder ambitions of the continuing series in its storytelling and visual ambition- clear to see and admire as you follow the book through.  Introducing such memorable new characters as Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano, cruel baddie Savage Opress, bounty hunter Cad Bane and comedy pirate Hondo Ohnaka, whilst providing such diverse and epic scenarios like the epic liberation of Ryloth, to the Zillo beast monster rampage across Coruscant, from the Mon Calamari water war epic, to the return of Darth Maul from the grave, to the emerging threat of the Mandalorian Death Watch, THE CLONE WARS gave fans the additional weight and drama to the Prequel Saga and its characters that we always wanted to see-the book reminding us just how much had been accomplished by such a talented and dedicated group of people (most notably Animation Director Dave Filoni and Visual Effects Artist Joel Aron)- all true STAR WARS fans like you and I, over eight years and five on-screen seasons of production in the US and Singapore.

Intriguingly, taking in the fact that the book was presumably completed four to five months ago, there’s very definitely a sense that, unlike the fans (who had no clue that the series was coming to a definite end), Fry and the book’s designers likely had some inkling about its ultimate destiny as being only five seasons, well enough to prepare and end the book with its last spread- literally the final scene of Ahsoka leaving the Jedi Temple- a design choice that is surely no accident. The only major disappointment with the book is that it doesn’t factor in the events of that other CLONE WARS animated series previous shown on CARTOON NETWORK from 2003-2005, made in equally stunning 2D by Genndy Tartakovsky, and which itself was deemed an official part of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS cannon. So popular it inspired George Lucas and led to the series we’ve been watching now. It would have been interesting to see how they could have factored in the continuity of both series into the book-I’m assuming it’s absence is a deliberate choice by LUCASFILM in wanting to maintain the overall visual continuity of the book and this particular animated series in general. A wasted opportunity, though…

Aimed primarily at the intelligent 8 -12 year olds, there is nonetheless something for every age group of STAR WARS fan to enjoy with this title. One day I hope we also get to see a more detailed, adult book on the shows overall behind the scenes making and evolution, but this colourful and visually exciting title is a must-have that's more than worthy of the existing high caliber STAR WARS and DORLING KINDERSLEY name.

Goodbye and thank-you, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. We will miss you…

KOOL TV RATING: Relive the greatest animated moments of that galaxy a long time ago, far, far away… 4.5 out of 5

Get hold of the book here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Clone-Episode-Guide/dp/1465408738/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366816191&sr=8-1&keywords=the+clone+wars+episode+guide

UNFINISHED BUSINESS. 'STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS' - THE FINAL SEASON ON UK TV

An uncertain future for our Jedi heroes, and the animated saga that is STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. Images: LUCASFILM ANIMATION.

Sadly cut off in its creative prime-the result of LUCASFILM now under ownership to a scythe swinging Mickey Mouse at DISNEY- and abruptly three seasons short of bringing its full story and evolving character arcs to a close in the build-up to the defining live-action events of EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS final twenty episode fifth season (reduced from the normal twenty-two) makes its eventual debut on UK shores via the CARTOON NETWORK, starting in daily weekday strips from Monday 8th April.

Artoo Detoo and co. go out on a bold new adventure.

Lightsaber clashes galore in the season opener, Revival.

With more complex and involving multi-episode length adventures than ever before, this last bow mostly focuses on the popular character created specifically for the animated series, Ahsoka Tano-Padawan Jedi in training to the universe known Anakin Skywalker, as we see her personal arc come to an overall satisfying ending, but with the door far from fully closed. Against her partaking in the rebellion of the popular STAR WARS Expanded Universe realm of Onderon against the evil Separatist threat- its world full of colourful flying dragons capable of giving GAME OF THRONES Daenerys Targaryen's little pups a flying run for their money- there's also growing resentment building towards the Jedi Knights in their forced participation of the long waging conflict, leading to sabotage and murder, of which our plucky heroine is soon caught up in its complications as an investigator. Meanwhile, venerable Obi-Wan Kenobi faces off against the evil Sith renegades Darth Maul and Savage Opress for control of the important neutral world of Mandalore (leading to the first proper appearance of the evil Sith Lord mastermind Darth Sidious, wielding his lightsabers in spectacular style for one exhilarating action set piece), and, for the prime benefit of younger viewers, two lengthy arcs which see diminutive frog alien Yoda and Ahsoka training a group of various species Padawans into a destiny that soon has them partaking in a dangerous mission beyond the safety confines of the Jedi Temple, whilst heroic Astro Droid and all-round favourite of the entire STAR WARS saga, Artoo Detoo, becomes part of an elite cadre going into enemy territory in order to retrieve a vitally needed piece of code encryption technology.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 5 Trailer - YouTube

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Season 5 Finale Trailer - IGN Video

Out of the shadows, Darth Sidious emerges. Fight!

Filled to a Gundark's nest with epic battles, old and new characters galore (including the first on-screen appearance of the reptilian space Cosa Nostra- The Black Sun crime cartel), spectacular planetary vistas and fun for all the family, though younger viewers may find things getting a little intense towards the end of the run (especially with the demise of certain characters), THE CLONE WARS ends on a generally strong and successful note, well handled by the series overall animation supervisor Dave Filoni, but its axing-to make way for all-new animated and live-action STAR WARS content, some of it non George Lucas created (starting up in a few years time)- has left a decidedly, and understandably sour and frustrated taste in the mouths of many die-hard fans who have loved this supreme space saga for so long... 

Plans to release the remaining completed but unaired episodes of THE CLONE WARS Season Six will be announced shortly. In the meantime, there is a loyal fan campaign beginning its sterling action in trying to persuade DISNEY to change their mind about the hit series. Check it out here: Save The Clone Wars

Get hold of the complete Seasons One to Four of THE CLONE WARS, here: Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Complete Seasons 1-4 Blu-ray Region Free: Amazon.co.uk: Film & TV

KOOL TV BABE OF THE WEEK: 'THE CLONE WARS' CATHERINE TABER

First Lady of animated STAR WARS: the lovely Catherine Taber. Image: Catherine Taber.

Making a fine addition to the growing pantheon of feisty and female icons born in the STAR WARS universe, first started off and defined by quirky and charming Carrie Fisher as dedicated, blaster firing Rebel Leader Princess Leia Organa in the original Classic Trilogy, followed by beautiful Natalie Portman as Queen turned senator turned child bearer to the Skywalker dynasty, Padme Amidala, in the later under-rated Prequel Trilogy, we now have the lovely American actress Catherine Taber continuing the worthy tradition in her popular voice role of Senator Amidala in the hit STAR WARS animated series set between the cataclysmic events of EPISODEs II and III: THE CLONE WARS, returning to the US CARTOON NETWORK channel for a new fifth season run of 22 epic looking episodes starting from tomorrow morning.

Taber adds sincerity and determination to the continuing role of Padme Amidala in THE CLONE WARS. Images: LUCASFILM ANIMATION.

At first it must have been a little daunting taking over the acting reins of a character so popular as Padme, and an actress on the rise as Portman has been in the last five years, but Miss Taber, a rising talent herself, who jumped to early recognition from industry critics in the coming of age drama THE GIRL'S ROOM, and a successful and noteworthy voice artist on numerous States-side animated series,  would quickly bring her own unique qualities and interpretation to the role, building, sometimes improving, on what was previously established by Portman in the live action realm, backed up with strong and memorable story lines from a core group of LUCASFILM productions writers that have often given the character lots of scope in and out of the political arena of which her character thrives on the Republic centre world of Coruscant. In her relationship to her work and trying to saving the galaxy from the continued civil war, and with her secret and forbidden marriage to Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker often beleaguered, Padme Amidala truly is both a fighter and a lover in equal measure and a strong role model for female fans of George Lucas's hit saga...

Amidala with comedy veterans See-Threepio and Jar Jar Binks in the episode Jedi Bombad.

And fighting alongside her husband, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker.

A dedicated STAR WARS fan since childhood, of which she has contributed to several other projects beyond THE CLONE WARS (including video games and the upcoming children's STAR WARS comedy series from Seth Green: DETOURS), as well as a warm and welcome figure at numerous official LUCASFILM organised conventions, Georgia born Miss Taber certainly has a bright future beyond a Galaxy Far, Far, Away...

The lovely Catherine Taber. Image: Catherine Taber.

Check out Miss Taber's FACEBOOK page and the good causes she supports: Catherine Taber Fan Page

Follow her on TWITTER: catherine taber (cattaber) on Twitter

Check out the STAR WARS AFICIONADO website's massive coverage of the new Season Five of THE CLONE WARS here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO MAGAZINE: THE CLONE WARS SEASON FIVE

Season Four of THE CLONE WARS is coming to Blu-ray and DVD from October from LUCASFILM/WARNER BROTHERS. Get it here:
Star Wars Clone Wars - Season 4 Blu-ray Region Free: Amazon.co.uk: Film & TV

ARMED AND DANGEROUS! ' THE CLONE WARS' SEASON FOUR DEBUTS ON UK TV

Obi-Wan Kenobi and Asajj Ventress take on the Maul brothers in the memorable THE CLONE WARS Season Four episode Revenge. Images: LUCASFILM/CARTOON NETWORK.

Finally, finally, after nearly eight months of anxious news and waiting for its loyal UK fan base, the latest fourth season of George Lucas's animated STAR WARS hit series, THE CLONE WARS, makes its well-deserved debut on our shores, on the UK CARTOON NETWORK this week, weekdays from Monday April 2nd at 10am (and repeated at 6pm). With a season sub-title of Battle Lines, this years new and cinematic conflicts between the evil Sith and the heroic Jedi, Separatists and Republic, are more ambitious and exciting than ever, with notable story arcs this bold year being Water War-a mammoth underwater battle three-parter set within the watery home world climes of Classic STAR WARS favourite Admiral Ackbar-which sees our submersed Jedi heroes taking on a lethal shark-like baddie, the Umbara Quadrilogy, where the galaxy engaged Clone Troopers, led by the super-cool Captain Rex, find their loyalties and abilities tested to the very limit by a dangerous Jedi General, on an outer-rim planet literally swamped in darkness and unusual alien creatures, and the Kadavo Slaves arc, where our heroes Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, alongside fearless young Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano, have their work cut out for them in freeing a world of captured Zygerian aliens from the heady grip of an evil Queen and her ruthless, weapon wielding slave trader peoples.

It's Calamari versus Quarren in an epic Water War.

Explosive trouble for the Clone Troopers in the Umbara Quadrilogy.

Hapless Gungan hero Jar Jar Binks returns to help Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala in Shadow Warrior.  

A disguised Anakin takes on Count Dooku in Escape from Kadavo.

The nightmare man! The evil Sith Assassin, Darth Maul, returns for the season finale.

All this, plus the return of the fan favourite Sith Lord from the original EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE live-action movie, the devil-like Darth Maul (now voiced by Sam Witwer), mysteriously back from the dead and allying himself with his horned Zabrakian/Dathomir brother, the equally formidable Savage Opress, to avenge himself on old enemy Obi-Wan Kenobi. We also can't forget the return of bald Sith apprentice Asajj Ventress, multiple lightsaber wielding coughster General Grievous, lots of old and new bounty hunters assembled for a lethal action-packed mission to assassinate the Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, plus some fun fairytale-esque episodes featuring those lovable and endearing droids who will also be iconic and synonymous to STAR WARS: C-3PO and R2-D2.

Trailers: The Clone Wars - Season 4 - Extended Trailer! - YouTube
Star Wars The Clone Wars Season 4 Preview 2 (WonderCon) - YouTube
The Clone Wars: Season 4 Darth Maul trailer - YouTube

With its ever-raised dramatic stakes, strong characterisations and storytelling (using some of the finest writers, directors and voice talents in the US, headed by talented Supervising Director Dave Filoni), and utilising the best modern animation techniques, its a great shame that LUCASFILM and CARTOON NETWORK are seemingly not really bothered about promoting the show beyond is core audience of dedicated fans, children and families in the US. For a major UK premiere of such an innovative and exciting series, THE CLONE WARS, having already lost SKY MOVIES as its original main broadcaster (who showed seasons one to three but gave up the ghost, presumably due to expense, with season four), deserves much better treatment in this outside territory (the second most successful marketing and merchandising arena for the saga in the world), as well as a major shot in the arm publicity-wise to get UK and European audiences interested beyond those that are already lovingly converted to it. Quality series deserve quality treatment in my book!

Seasons One to Three of THE CONE WARS are now available in a special box set on Blu-ray and DVD. Get it here: Star Wars Clone Wars - Season 1-3 [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Film & TV