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Post by Gen on Nov 19, 2021 11:00:54 GMT
Surprised there wasn't a thread on this one. I have very fond memories waiting all week for those 5 minutes of Friday night glory on the Cartoon Network. I remember it being a really big deal that the final episode would set up the opening of ROTS.
Genndy really got Lucas' Star Wars and managed to express its soul with his own style, with almost no involvement from Lucas himself. He understood the rhythm of Star Wars, how the music and action interplay. I can't think of anyone I'd trust to pull off 2d visual storytelling more than the creator of Samurai Jack. He understood how Star Wars is eccentric yet restrained, he didn't shy away from the stuffy dialogue, and he's got the same dry sense of humor Lucas does.
The animators were able to portray the scale of the war very effectively.
I really liked Mat Lucas' angsty portrayal of Anakin. I sort of headcanon him as early war Anakin, and Lanter as late war Anakin. I also headcanon the 2003 clones as early war clones and 2008 clones as late war clones. Just makes sense. Everybody loosens up as they bond.
Discuss.
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Post by Alexrd on Nov 19, 2021 12:06:34 GMT
I like the micro-series, for the most part. It's a visual delight. I don't like certain interpretations and liberties, but those are only an handful of instances.
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Post by smittysgelato on Nov 20, 2021 4:19:57 GMT
That scene where Anakin and Padme share a moment on either side of the glass before he flies off to war is ICONIC.
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Post by smittysgelato on Nov 21, 2021 6:13:23 GMT
One thing that is great about the series in general, is that it has very basic, bare-bones plots, allowing for a focus on visual action; which is exactly what Gendy excels at. Take, for example, the episode where Ventress lures Anakin to follow her into hyperspace, resulting in an epic rain-soaked duel on Yavin IV. I remember being amazed by the effect the lightsabers have on the rain. Just a really cool visual embellishment.
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Post by Subtext Mining on Nov 21, 2021 10:53:37 GMT
This series definitely holds a special place in my heart. When I got the bootleg DVDs of both seasons in 2005, I must have watched it 3 or 4 dozen times over the next few following years. And many times since then. I don't know where to start in my overall praise of it. I guess I could start with some things that are unique to it, such as seeing the Knighting process, explaining why Anakin was rushed into Knighthood without undergoing the Trials, going somewhat into what the Trials consist of, Dooku training Grievous, the planet Muunilinst, 3P0 getting his golden plating (very sultry), Anakin getting his scar, the unorthodox Trials Anakin did undergo, the kidnapping of Palpatine, how Greivous got his cough. Let's just say I'm disappointed it's not canon and I don't see much reason why it shouldn't be.  But yes, I like the action too. The kinetic energy of it all is magnificent. The space fights which really show off Anakin's abilities, intelligence and bravery (while still being headstrong and arrogant), the Clone ARC Tropper missions, the epic lightsaber duel between Anakin and Asajj, Durge and his robot army vs, Obi-Wan and the Clones, Shaak-Ti and the two other Jedi vs, Grievous and his Magna Guards, everything, really. Let's just say my 20-something self was spoiled by the action. So much so to the point that I was disappointed by RotS when it came out  Yes, Genndy did a bit too good of a job   Growing up in the '80s, my friends and I were profounfdly intrigued by what the "Clone Wars" could possibly be, and about half the time we spent playing Star Wars outside was imagining endless scenarios. And let's just say Lucas, and Tartakovsky went well above and beyond our ideas and expectations. And yes, I agree that the characterizations were great. Better than TCW. Well, I mean, I understand why they are the way they are in TCW, and they're fine, but in CW they're perfect I think - for a cartoon adaptation. Particularly Anakin, as both a Padawan and during his Knight years. In TCW they feel like caricaturizations, in CW they're more aligned with the films. And as great as the action is, along with the characterizations, CW also does a better job of getting into the emotion as well. There are a number of scenes the really "get me". I'd love to go into Anakins time on Nelvaan some time, but I'll just say now that the symbolism alone is astounding. Excellent job. When I go through my yearly journey of the SW saga, after AotC I always watch CW up to shortly after Anakins Knighting, then all of TCW, then the rest of CW, then RotS... All in all, my one word to describe my experience with this show has to be 'spoiled'. But also inspired, energized, fulfilled. The tone is just... something to behold. In terms of both to the OT as well as to the PT. And yes, the humor too - so Lucasian. It's truly a work of art, a triumphant symphony, that deserves more than to be long forgotten in the annals of SW history. Holt Kazed! Holt Kazed!  |
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Post by Subtext Mining on Nov 21, 2021 12:04:04 GMT
Yes Smitty's, those scenes are magnificent and the imagery is outstanding. Very Star Wars with something new. Visually stunning and emotionally poignant.  |
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Post by smittysgelato on Nov 22, 2021 0:29:55 GMT
I'm def still a bit salty that Anakin's trial in the cave, where he gets his tattoos, is not canon. Such a great lead into ROTS. I say this as someone who loves TCW just as much.
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Post by Alexrd on Nov 22, 2021 22:49:13 GMT
Most people gush over Tartakovsky's interpretation of Grievous, but it's something that I never cared about, even back then. Key episodes and sequences that to me are the highlights of the series are: - Chapter 3 (ARC troopers episode) - Dooku recruiting Ventress - Barriss building her lightsaber - Duel on Yavin 4 (specially when the rain starts) - Anakin's knighthood ceremony - Dooku training Grievous And of course, the brilliant art:     |
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Post by jppiper on Nov 23, 2021 1:39:04 GMT
Most people gush over Tartakovsky's interpretation of Grievous, but it's something that I never cared about, even back then. They Gushed over Grievous because that's what they thought they were getting in Episode III instead they got a Coughing Wheezing Cowardly Moustache Twirling Villain and when they didn't get what they want (a recurring theme for Prequel bashers) they Whined like the Petty Spoiled ManChildren That They are |
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Post by Subtext Mining on Nov 26, 2021 13:03:23 GMT
Another aspect of Clone Wars that I feel is more inline with the films is the Padawan's construction of their own lightsaber upon graduation into Knighthood. We are privileged with getting to observe this rite as Bariss Offee builds her lightsaber in the sacred crystal caves on Ilium. While supervising, her Master Luminara Unduli recites the ancient Jedi axiom, The crystal is the heart of the blade. The heart is the crystal of the Jedi. The Jedi is the crystal of the Force. The Force is the blade of the heart. All are intertwined: the crystal, the blade, the Jedi. You are one.  This alone was worth the price of admission, and gives me chills every time. |
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Post by Subtext Mining on Nov 27, 2021 17:29:35 GMT
They Gushed over Grievous because that's what they thought they were getting in Episode III instead they got a Coughing Wheezing Cowardly Moustache Twirling Villain and when they didn't get what they want (a recurring theme for Prequel bashers) they Whined like the Petty Spoiled ManChildren That They are Hey, I resemble(d) that remark! But for me, it makes sense that he was spry and badass during the war, but became weakened when Mace crushed his chest. |
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Post by Seeker of the Whills on Dec 6, 2021 14:43:51 GMT
I love this show, and to me it's the definitive Clone Wars. I like parts of TCW, at least most of what came from Lucas, but to me it's the Filoni show, and Genndy is just a better storyteller and artistic visionary than him. Hate to say it, but like Subtext said, the characterizations and the world of CW feel more faithful to the style of the prequels than the show with more Lucas input. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that CW was made during the prequels' release, so there were no compromises made based on any criticism the prequels got. Which is thee feeling I get from TCW, that some things, like Anakin's portrayal, were altered due to backlash.
What I like about CW is that it feels like a naturalistic part of the film saga, and almost as essential as the films themselves, down to the DVD covers that fit with the saga DVDs. It feels a lot like the missing "Clone Wars" film that AotC and RotS quite aren't, focusing on the Jedi's war efforts. And I like that it keeps the focus on the main characters, while shining some light on other characters. There is no new character taking away the spotlight from Anakin's story, or overdone characterization for the clones.
Anakin's characterization is on point. He's the right balance between petulant and heroic. He's not Han Solo with a lightsaber. His showing of piloting skills, fight with Ventress, and cave visions were all great character building moments for him. No wonder my favorite part from TCW is Mortis, something that focuses on Anakin's struggle and feels like it actually relates to the story of the films.
The clones were awesome. Especially those ARC troopers. Mostly silent, speaking only in short, purposeful sentences. You got the feeling that each clone was a real unit unto himself. Even though it's the "Clone Wars", the show doesn't focus too much on the clones themselves at the expense of the Jedi.
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Post by smittysgelato on Dec 6, 2021 19:15:36 GMT
Petulant Anakin is best Anakin.
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Post by Seeker of the Whills on Apr 25, 2022 15:03:36 GMT
Here is a playlist of all the extras from the Clone Wars DVDs for anyone interested. In one of them, Genndy talks about the scene where Anakin has a vision in a cave, which mirrors Luke's cave vision, and how George told him that Star Wars is about "mirrors" and "ripples that repeat themselves." As a big fan of the mirroring aspect of Star Wars, that got me excited and to rewatch Clone Wars.
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Post by smittysgelato on Apr 27, 2022 20:36:06 GMT
One episode I really love is the Illum episode because it pairs Padme and Yoda up. Those two are great together. I wish Star Wars gave us more of those two in general. This is just one reason why even the 2008 series could have run for like 20 seasons. There's just that much potential brimming in the Prequel era alone.
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Post by Lulu Mars on May 4, 2022 11:07:54 GMT
I think I’ll celebrate Star Wars Day by watching Volume 1 of CW. My favorite volume! So camp, so cool, so fun, so nostalgic! It takes me right back to the golden age of my Star Wars fandom, midway between the releases of AOTC and ROTS. The circle was nearing completion and I couldn’t have been more excited… until that first batch of clone war cartoon mayhem was unleashed upon the world! It was everything I didn’t know I wanted - decidedly different yet familiar and right - but it also made the wait for May 2005 more unbearable  |
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Post by Subtext Mining on May 5, 2022 9:00:15 GMT
Ah, that's the perfect way to describe it, thank you.
"Decidedly different yet familiar and right."
I've talked with some PT lovers who don't like CW (or didn't at the time) because they feel it's too different from GL's style, and I went on long speils trying to say basically that.
But yes, I'd add that nothing takes me back to my childhood more than CW - (harp flashback music) - Playing SW with my friends, imagining what the Clone Wars were about, imagining Anakin & Obi-Wan's Jedi adventures, etc. etc.
Ah, CW is by far one of the most exciting things I've enjoyed in my adult life. A treasure trove for lovers of all things SW.
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Post by tonyg on May 25, 2022 17:29:53 GMT
I like Padme and Anakin's moments in the microseries. No teen cheesiness like in TCW, just pure, raw emotions. I also like how the vibe of the microseries fits in the Lucas film-making: is a characteristic of Tartakovski movies in general, but here it fits in perfectly: the dialogue is short and intense, the "picture" is what matters.
And yes, I like this Anakin and this Padme as characters. I don't like Anakin from TCW, is exactly Han Solo with lightsaber, also I still cannot like Mat Lanter's voice: not as such, is just for me this is not Anakin's voice. Hayden melancholic, moody tembre matches more with the microseries voice actor.
I like mostly the secondary characters in TCW, especially Ahsoka. Ventress also has very interesting, widely developed arc than in the microseries, bit yes, the main characters are better developed in the microseries.
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Post by ArchdukeOfNaboo on May 26, 2022 1:39:54 GMT
Which is thee feeling I get from TCW, that some things, like Anakin's portrayal, were altered due to backlash. Lucas literally interviewed Matt Lanter for the part. Go back and check out the behind the scenes material, it was his decision. None of the voices are like they are in live-action.
I like Padme and Anakin's moments in the microseries. No teen cheesiness like in TCW, just pure, raw emotions.
Are you serious? This is the kind of thing bashers throw at AOTC all the time. TCW was no more "cheesy" than the prequels had been.
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Post by tonyg on May 26, 2022 5:55:39 GMT
Which is thee feeling I get from TCW, that some things, like Anakin's portrayal, were altered due to backlash. Lucas literally interviewed Matt Lanter for the part. Go back and check out the behind the scenes material, it was his decision. None of the voices are like they are in live-action.
I like Padme and Anakin's moments in the microseries. No teen cheesiness like in TCW, just pure, raw emotions.
Are you serious? This is the kind of thing bashers throw at AOTC all the time. TCW was no more "cheesy" than the prequels had been.
TCW is total cheesiness. Is one of the things of TCW that I dislike most. Padme and Anakin look like teens who are hanging around carelessly as there is no war at bay and they are not secret husband and wife who are trying to steel precious moments for themselves against all odds. And is because of that that the so called bashers like much more the depiction of romance in TCW because it looks more comfortable for them. So, yes, I'm serious. The bashers think that if the romance is shown as something we have seen "around the corner", something known, cliches, if you say, then is fine. Only it isn't. It would be dull and out of space, because this is the galaxy far, far away and it happened long time ago. If there is not some mythological mystery to it, why bother? And I don't have in mind only the "romance". We had such thread here where we analyzed exactly this aspect of the relationship of Ani and Padme. However, no matter if you like it or not, or it looks cheesy or not, the microseries rhyme in this aspect much more with AOTC than TCW. |
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Yes, Genndy did a bit too good of a job 
