Ram Media Review – Star Wars: The Clone Wars

(Note: TV show reviews will typically be longer as there is much more to cover)

I believe the most criminal act a person can commit is when they judging a book by its cover (not seriously; I am certain people can do far worse). When people see a cartoon and think, “That’s just for kids,” they are truly missing out. There are several examples of kids’ shows being able to present and cover topics for all audiences, something able to leave an impression on anybody. The Clone Wars is absolutely one of those shows. The catch with this show is that it is leading up to one of the darkest events in any story we’ve seen. Assuming most of you have seen Revenge of the Sith you probably know the galaxy kinda gets a reset. One not suitable for all audiences.

The issue with the prequel trilogy is that the characters shift between movies and it almost never feels easy to follow. The Clone Wars series retroactively saves the prequel trilogy and adds so much more depth and meaning to the prequel trilogy and the Star Wars saga as a whole. The show makes every character likable and justifies their inclusion, even the ones you didn’t think you wanted or expected.

The Clone Wars tells a beautiful and deep story about the conflict between Episodes two and three of the Star Wars saga (whereas in the movies we only see the very beginning and end). The show tells many stories at a time, taking turns between characters to progress through the war in captivating ways. The show is formatted in a way that it never is too demanding to binge but is also easy to sink your teeth in to as a newcomer or someone looking for something new to watch. Every episode starts with a “fortune cookie” type quote that usually relates to the theme of the episode being watched. Another key factor to the show’s greatness is how visually stimulating it can be due to the fantastic animation and direction. After the first season or so the show really finds its footing in animation, and the further in you get the more amazing and cinematic it looks, to the point where the last season looks like a feature animated film, it’s breathtaking.

The show has several protagonists for you to love, enjoy, and follow through their own separate journeys including exclusives like Ahsoka Tano (Anakin Skywalkers teenage padawan). Over the course of the war, Ahsoka grows into herself as a woman and true Jedi, becoming one of the most iconic Star Wars characters and role models in cinema, whose journey by the end of the show might very likely have you in tears (it almost got me). Of course, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are stars of the show and do not disappoint. In fact, they’re arguably better characters in the show but it makes sense the way they act in Revenge of the Sith. Captain Rex is another prominent character, leader of the clone division the 501st, marked with blue on their armor and led by Anakin Skywalker. Rex is a lens into the life and mindset of a solider actually created for war, and a representation of Clone commanders who create bonds with the Jedi they serve under.

One key thing this show does that puts it up high on the list of shows to watch is its messages and the impact of its themes on the following Star Wars movies. The series is called “The Clone Wars,” so a fair chunk of the series is about the clones as the name implies. The series tells several stories about individual clones and their journey to stand out in an army of lookalikes. It is said that, although they are created from the same DNA, they are highly independent and are encouraged to develop “creative thinking” under certain Jedi generals. It is an amazing message about individualism and self-worth, in a world where your only role is supposed to simply be following orders. The show even dives into conflicting ideologies and political intrigue, bringing an intellectuality to the show that will interest those who may not want to watch a nonstop action-adventure show (which is only a portion of the show’s charm). It works on showing the Jedi, while capable and heroic, blinded by their pride and the esteem of their glory days. It also gives you villains that make decent arguments, although ultimately flawed as they are Sith after all.

This show doesn’t just create a bond between its characters, it creates a bond between you and Star Wars. This show expands the galaxy beyond lengths the movies could reach but uses and refines the techniques from them in order to produce an intimate experience that enriches your knowledge of Star Wars without having to try too hard. And although it can be dark at times, this show strikes the perfect balance for both adults to fathom, and their kids to be raised on. This is Star Wars the way it was meant to be seen; where it is given the space the story requires to truly impact you.

Before my closing thoughts here is a word from fellow star wars fan and old friend Byron Bishop: “The series was such a great impact on my childhood and made me fall in love and emotionally attached to the character but overall probably one of the most creative shows ever and really never predictable…well thought out and planned…sad that it’s at its end but while it’s the end for our journey, it’s the start for many other in a new age of Star Wars entertainment.”

This is a series that came back from the dead purely from the fans’ constant demand. Over the course of seven years, we begged Disney to bring it back so that both the show and its viewers could receive the closure it deserved, we used Star Wars’ core belief to fuel our efforts “Hope,” and with hope, I’m more than proud to say today the series concluded, and here I am holding back a tear. My childhood show is finally over, Happy Star Wars Day readers, May the force be with you, always