Five Reasons

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

By Rebecca Buchanan
March 9, 2009

Why should you watch this movie? Listen to that singer? Read this author? Eat that food? Try that drink? ______ that ______?

Well, this article will attempt to provide five reasons why, in handy list form and with plenty of pertinent examples. Please note that the point of this article is not to claim any sort of definitive authority on these subjects, but merely to share the author's personal experiences and opinions!

I am a Star Wars geek. Not a fanatic. Not like that guy over there whom I married who obsessively collects anything Fett-related.* But I am most definitely a fan. I will happily debate the finer points of continuity, watch the original trilogy anytime it comes on tv, and spend my hard-earned money on the latest Legacy and Knights of the Old Republic trade paperbacks.

And that really is where my interests lie: in the so-called Expanded Universe. That galaxy of stories that lies outside the six films. Think about how much else must be going on besides Luke and Leia and Han and Chewbacca. The Republic covers an entire galaxy. And it's freakin' twenty five thousand years old. Think about that. How many wars have been won and lost, loves lost and found, treasures mislaid, civilizations risen and fallen and risen again, and mad adventures taken place throughout the galaxy over the course of twenty-five thousand years. And the thirty-odd years covered by the films are the only story with which most people are familiar.

That's why I was so happy when Cartoon Network announced the new animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Okay, it technically takes place between the second and third films. And Luke and Leia's parents (Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala) and mentor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) are major players. But the series greatly expands on what we know of that time period, allows previously background characters to shine, and even allows new characters a chance to step forward and star in their own stories.

So, are you a Star Wars (or science fiction) fan looking for something new? If so, here are Five Reasons to watch The Clone Wars.

Cool Animation. Computer animation has come a loooong way since the early days of Tron; even since the Final Fantasy film. And the animation in The Clone Wars is unique. Most films aim for as realistic an appearance as possible, trying to erase the line between digital fantasy and reality. Clone Wars, in contrast, has a very cartoony appearance: Anakin has a very angular face, while Padme's is very soft and round. Sometimes the eyes are a bit too large. The result is a very unique look.

At the same time, the effects are awesome. I can't imagine that some of this stuff could be done in a live action film. Like, Anakin jumping out a Republic ship and falling through the atmosphere to land on Skytop Station. Or the frenetic light saber duel between Asajj Ventress amd Luminara Unduli. Or the entire frozen world of Orto Plutonia, with the natives riding around on horned and furred beasties, chasing down Clone Troopers on speeder bikes, or rising up out of the snow to grab them as they zip overhead.

Yeah, it can take your breath away.

Supporting Characters Front and Center. You know that Jedi chick with the blue skin and long tentacle thingies hanging from her head who was in the background of the last few films? Yeah, that's Aayla Secura and she is very popular with comic fans. She made her debut in Star Wars: Republic, and Lucas was so struck by her appearance that he worked her into the films — where she had not a single line. Not so in Clone Wars, where we find out that she has a French accent. And that she is a very wise lady, given to deep philosophical ponderings, who is totally capable of kicking anyone's butt.

We also get to meet the Jedi Master Plo Koon, who wears claws and a breathing mask and is deeply loyal to the Clone Troopers under his command. And Kit Fisto, an amphibious Jedi and another comic favorite who never got a line in any of the films (turns out he sounds very Jamaican); he always has a grin on his face. And Luminara Unduli, a healer and gifted duelist. And Commander Cody, a Clone Trooper who is cautious and loyal. And Captain Rex, Anakin's second in command, who isn't afraid to tell his superiors what he really thinks. And, of course, Ahsoka Tano, created specifically for The Clone Wars: wise-cracking, eager, feisty, deeply loyal — and, at some point in the future, very very dead.

That's the thing that really gets to me. All these characters I am getting to understand and even love — and they're all dead. That nasty, vicious, conniving Palpatine will send out Order 66 and the very same Clone Troopers who have shown such loyalty will turn on and execute their Jedi Generals.

It's all just so deliciously and horrifically tragic.

Camaraderie, Duty and Loyalty. That guy I married who so obsessively collects Fett stuff is also really really into the Clone Troopers. Like them, he's military. In the Clone Troopers, and their ethic of duty and loyalty and comradeship, he finds a worldview familiar and admirable.

I was slow to come around to his point of view. I saw them as brainless, pre-programmed lunkheads, not much better than the droids they were fighting. Turns out, there's more to them than that. In response to their individual experiences, they begin to develop individual personalities; even their outer appearance changes. One Clone might shave his head, while another gets a buzz cut and dyes his hair blonde; one collects battlefield trophies while another paints tribal designs on his armor.

The Clones are also very loyal to one another — they refer to one another as "brothers", which they are — but they are more loyal to the mission and the Republic. The mission comes first. These Clones, who were mass-produced as cannon fodder, who are slowly developing personalities of their own, set aside that hard-won individuality for the greater good, sacrificing themselves for others' freedom.

And, in the ultimate irony, that very sense of duty and loyalty is what brings down the Republic. The Clones don't just mindlessly follow Order 66. They are told that the Jedi, those very Generals whom they have fought and died alongside, are about to betray the Republic, to destroy the very thing they are protecting. So they execute the Jedi to save the Republic.**

Twisted, isn't it?

Anakin Skywalker Before He Became Darth Vader. I have never been a big Vader fan. He was the bad guy, after all; I wasn't supposed to like him. But I like Anakin — at least, the Anakin of The Clone Wars. He's smart, but a risk-taker. He's best buds with his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi; they make fun of one another and crack wise, just like so many other best buds. Seeing them interact here, Obi-Wan's profound sense of betrayal in the last film at Anakin's conversion to the Sith makes so much more sense, emotionally and psychologically. Anakin is also the reluctant mentor of Ahsoka Tano, trying to be a good Jedi Master for her even while he tries to figure out for himself exactly what a Jedi Master is supposed to be. At the same time, he is a General in the Grand Army of the Republic, trying to save galactic civilization — without needlessly sacrificing the Clone Troopers under his command. They aren't cannon fodder to him. More often then not, he's at the head of the battle, fighting alongside his Troopers. And, on top of all of that, he's also the secret husband of Padme Amidala. He can't let anyone know, not even his best friend. But, when Padme is in danger, his emotions get the better of him, and he runs headlong into danger to save her.

Knowing what is to come makes Anakin's nobility and heroism in The Clone Wars all the more tragic.

Girl Power. Star Wars has always been strong with the Grrrl Power. How many of us grew up with Princess Leia as a role model? Now, little girls have even more role models to choose from — and not all are of the butt-kicking, bad-ass type. Padme Amidala knows how to wield a laser pistol, but would rather solve problems through diplomacy. Riyo Chuchi discovers her own voice and strengths when she stands up to her autocratic Chairman to prevent a war. Queen Neeyutnee of Naboo watches over her people during The Clone Wars. The Gungan Peppi Bow is a (humble) shaak herder who helps Padme uncover a bioweapon threat to Naboo. Aayla Secura demonstrates incredible physical and mental stamina while searching for a healer to tend to an injured Anakin Skywalker; when Separatists threaten to massacre the neutral, pacifist Lurmen, Aayla refuses to standby and watch; she will defend those who cannot or will not defend themselves. Ahsoka Tano, tiny, young and still a trainee, speaks her mind and too often rushes into danger, but also learns from her mistakes. There are even negative role models, such as Asajj Ventress, consumed by her hatred for Jedi and lust for power.

Yep, lots of Girl Power there.

Okay, that's Five Reasons. But, really, there are so many more than that. Did I mention the retro movie serial-like introductions to each episode? What about the real world analogies, like the bioweapon scientist with the German accent? Or R2-D2 and C-3PO? Yep, they're here, too. Even Jar-Jar Binks is here — and, surprisingly, a lot less annoying. Or the introduction and exploration of new worlds, like Quell and Rugosa and Florrum and ... well, you get the idea.

Clone Wars, people. It's cool.

* Wall O'Fett. Really. It's a humungous wall of Fett stuff, six shelves, corner to corner, floor to ceiling — and that's only what will fit in the house.

** While I have not read these particular stories, there are some comics in which a few Clones refuse to follow Order 66; in some cases, fighting other Clones to protect their Jedi Generals.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars — The official Cartoon Network site for The Clone Wars
Wookieepedia — The Star Wars Wiki
The Clone Wars on Wookieepedia