It didn't bother me that this movie was animated. It bothered me that it just wasn't that good. Photo copyright: Lucasfilms (2008)

I really had high hopes for Star Wars: The Clone Wars. It bothered me not that it was in cartoon. After all, the last Star Wars movie was as much animated as it was live action.

This film takes place between Star Wars 2 and 3. As the movie opens, Anakin and Kenobi are on a far off planet, battling a huge clone army with a Republic army. Anakin gets his very own Padawan, Ahsoka. The key moment comes when the clone army approaches, with the protection of a force field. Their goal is to destroy the Republic's cannons. Anakin and Ahsoka sneak behind enemy lines, by means least seen on Scooby Doo, to destroy the shield generator. The approaching clones, defended by the force shield, close in on the helpless army, who lay in wait for the shield generator to be destroyed. Why didn’t Kenobi just use those powerful cannons to blow up bridge that the clones were crossing? Just a thought.

The real plot gets going when Anakin and Ahsoka are sent to rescue Jabba the Hut’s son. This introduces us to a new Sith Lord, or Sith Lady to be exact. She has a light saber that resembles Darth Maul’s. At stake is free passages through the outer rims, or some such area in space that the Huts control. When exactly did Jabba become so vastly important and threatening to the Jedi council? It would be like The United States bowing to Osama Bin Laden. Why should such a powerful force for good even consider negotiating with a hoodlum.

The Star Wars movies have set rules. This one breaks them when it fits the plot. At one point, Anakin flies over Ahsoka some 100 feet below. She needs his help, yet he cannot sense her presence? At another point in the movie Anakin and Ahsoka leave a planet’s orbit, as Kenobi sense they have gone. Anakin cannot sense a Jedi he could see, if he looked, but Kenobi can sense one from miles away?

The Clone Wars has plenty of action. From the large battle, to a rescue at an old monastery, to light saber duels, you will have plenty to keep you watching. Many familiar faces show up for small roles, like the droids, Mace Windu and Amidala. There is also some new characters, such as the Sith Lady. The most unique addition is that a Jabba’s gay, southern accented brother.

With a new animated series starting this year, the Star Wars universe will be mined for a long time for action filled entertainment. I am personally waiting for a Han Solo/Lando Calrissian movie. I just hope they take it a bit more serious than they did this one.

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