Weekend Review – “Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume 2”

In preparation for next week’s CGI Star Wars entry, we’re reviewing the second volume of the traditionally animated Clone Wars segments that aired on the Cartoon Network a few years ago.

Cast and Crew Information

Anthony Daniels as C-3P0
Mat Lucas as Anakin Skywalker
Corey Burton as Count Dooku
Tom Kane as Yoda
Nick Jameson as Palpatine
Richard McGonagle as Grievous
Terrence T.C. Carson as Mace Windu
Philipp Moog as Obi-Wan Kenobi

Written by Bryan Andrews, Mark Andrews, Darrick Bachman, Paul Rudish and Genndy Tartakovsky
Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky

Premise

In 2005, the Cartoon Network aired 25 short episodes of animated Star Wars action, filling in details during the Clone Wars that bridged episodes 2 and 3. Released in two volumes, we reviewed the first volume that April, and the second is reviewed here now.

High Point

The best moment was Yoda’s first combat scene. Coming out of the plot-light first volume, though, I was most impressed by the amount of actual plot present in this set.

Low Point

Because it was designed to bridge point A to point B, it leaves off where another story will begin, so we really don’t get any sort of conclusion.

The Review

This still doesn’t feel original, as it’s just a continuation of another spinoff. I give it 2 out of 6.

The animation is good. There’s a lot of fast paced action, and it all flows smoothly and clearly, with a number of atmospheric effects present. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story is much better than the first volume. This delves far more into Palpatine’s type of manipulations and Anakin’s eventual fall to the Dark Side. There’s still a lot of action, but this time they told a story with action. I give it 4 out of 6.

The voice acting is much like the first: the actual performances are good, but some of the sound-alikes don’t sound much alike their live action counterparts. I give it 4 out of 6.

The production has the same great editing, music and staging as the original section, though the character designs still don’t look much like Star Wars to me. I give it 4 out of 6.

The emotional response is strong. Yeah, it’s light on story, but no more so than the live action entries. It’s got enough story to entertain, and plenty of great Star Wars action. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, it’s an entertaining hour of Star Wars action, and a nice warm up for next week’s theatrical release. Yes, it has its limitations, but they’re consistent with the limitations of the live action installments. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume 2 receives 29 out of 42.

One reply

  1. Power
    What I like most about these two Clone Wars DVDs is that they show the Jedi being powerful. I forget which one of the two it is, but Yoda and Mace Windu wave their hands and with each gesture dozens of battle droids are knocked away. Compare that to the battle in the stadium at the end of Attack of the Clones.

    In my opinion, most of the movies and expanded universe books have Jedi that are too weak. Barbara Hambly recognized this in Children of the Jedi and gave Luke a severe head wound so that he was unable to use his full abilities.

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