Star Wars:  The Clone Wars.  Voices: Anthony Daniels, Matthew Wood. Warner Bros. Pictures / Lucasfilm Animation.  Animated sci/fi adventure.  Written by Henry Gilroy, Scott Murphy III. Directed by Dave Filoni.  8/15/08

     FILM SYNOPSIS:  Favorite characters, including Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padmé Amidala, are on the front lines of an intergalactic struggle between good and evil, along with brand new heroes like Anakin’s padawan learner, Ahsoka.  Sinister villains – led by Palpatine, Count Dooku and General Grievous – are poised to rule the galaxy.  Stakes are high, and the fate of the Star Wars universe rests in the hands of the daring Jedi Knights. 
    

REVIEW:  The whole premise is taken from a passing remark by Luke Skywalker to Obi-Wan Kenobi in the first Star Wars movie: 

     Inspired by the innovative composition of Japanese anime, and fusing that style with the newest CG magic, George Lucas has finally seen his ultimate dream fulfilled – a movie without actors. 
     The picture received an enthusiastic reaction from the screening audience during the closing credits.  I was, however, left under whelmed.  The animated film has a visually dynamic look that seems to scream out Sci/Fi, but it’s missing that human factor, not just because it’s computer drawn, but because it’s difficult to care about the stiff-speaking and rigid-looking characters.  Like those marionettes on the ‘60s TV series Thunderbirds, the characters here move and look more like wooden androids.  Like with the last batch of Star Wars movies, the filmmakers are so concerned with the look of the film that they lose the soul of the original.  (Funny, that first one has the most dated look, yet has the most heart.)  And the filmmakers on this newest effort have confused constant laser saber battling with the term action/adventure.  I guess it fills up an hour and a half, but it seemed unnecessary. 
     There’s no crudity or offensive language.  The messages of honor and working together to defeat an opposing foe are admirable.  And for most, it is visually stimulating (lots going on).  But there is one thing to consider: its violence.  We only see robots destroyed and while the laser duels go on and on, there’s no blood.  But I’m concerned about the amounts of mayhem aimed at blockbuster-going audiences.  This vacation season has been loaded with comic-book actioneers, each nearly two hours long, and each filled with the same visual rampage.  The Dark Knight, Hellboy 2, Iron Man,  10,000 B.C., Prince Caspian, Cloverfield, Forbidden Kingdom, Hancock, The Incredible Hulk 2, Indiana Jones 4, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Kung Fu Panda, Mongol, the Mummy 3, Rambo 4, Speed Racer, Tropic Thunder, Vantage Point, Wanted, how many has your kid seen? 
     You add up those hours with most of what’s presented to younglings on television and…, well, maybe it doesn’t affect them.

     PG (one or two minor expletives, but I caught no harsh or obscene language; though it’s saber laser cartoonish action, it is incessant; spaceships blown apart and gun blurts destroying countless bad guy robots).  Running Time: 95 min. Intended Audience: Family

For other free reviews from Phil Boatwright’s perspective, go to: previewonline.org.

(Disclaimer: These are the views of the author and not necessarily the staff of JesusJournal. Given the synopsis and content, concerned parents and moviegoers can decide if the new releases are suitable for viewing.)