Review By Peter Veugelaers



The long-awaited sequences of the clone wars itself is a fan’s delight. Without the fanfare of its predecessors this Star Wars sauntered into theaters seemingly unannounced and then onto DVD. It’s a small underrated gem.

In this animated Star Wars, set between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, Anakin Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi are fending off attackers who are joining Count Dooku to establish the empire. When Jabba the Hut’s son is abducted, Anakin is assigned to find him because the Hut’s control an important space highway and if the Jedi’s stay on their side it will go better for them in the war.

Anakin’s primary trait of arrogance is once again tested when he’s told to train a Jedi. He has a choice between doing what he’s told – in finding Jabba’s son – and continuing in battle with Obi Wan, a choice between sacrifice and glory.

Although there is not much talk about the ‘force’ it is mentioned and the will of the ‘force’ is at work. It’s not the same as the will of God, and although more in line with something like harmonic convergence than Christianity, it’s like the will of God, charismatically, is worked out through lives and a result of it wills a good outcome.

The opening battle sequence is involving, a short story in its own right. Throughout the animation is resplendently contoured, with rotoscope and lots of sound and action. There’s a mix of music that’s not instantly recognizable as Star Wars melodies to keep the plot layered interestingly, there’s some nice warm moments, the voice work is spot-on and the deliberately clunky dialogue doesn’t cheese me off, it’s quite satisfying.