The Clone Wars (2008)

Elki

Series premier on the the Cartoon Network in one hour. Who's watching?

I did not watch the new movie so I don't know what to expect, but I loved the 2003 series and I'm giving the new one a try. I'm worried because Lucas seems to be more involved with this than he was with the other one.

I wish I could watch this in HD, but the school cable network says "no, fuck you!"

Dracomicron

I was going to go see Choke, but I suppose I'll just stay home and watch this.

korodullin

I plan to watch because I love seeing franchises I grew up with fall further and further into mediocrity.

Zimmydoom

This is probably going to be absolutely unbearable.

I'll watch it until the Sox game starts or my eyes start to bleed, whichever comes first.

korodullin

Okay, this first episode is far from horrible so far. I guess it's because it's focusing so heavily on clone action.

HadjiQuest

The movie was a lot better than people gave it credit for.

The series is up to the same standard so far, just a few minutes before this first episode ends. It's mostly just action with a little character development tossed in; the stories are all episodic or in small multi-episode arcs, because there's nothing really new to add. I think that helps it out alot.

Also, the droids are hilarious.

Ratmike

I actually have some hope for this show. Apparently Paul Dini wrote a number of the episodes.

Dracomicron

The first episode was actually pretty good. Yoda vs. Ventress... hard to beat that.

Spacehog85

Wow, either my expectations of it were super low, or it's actually not that bad. Either way, my son loved it.

Quid

So I'm seeing this in 20 minutes. I take it it's not God awful?

Omeks

I don't know. I like it. I thought the first episode was pretty good, actually. So far the second episode is shaping up really nice as well.

I like how the series is basically catering to know-it-all Star Wars geeks. The second episode features Plo Koon and in the commercials, I keep seeing what look like early Y-Wing, B-wings, Star Destroyers (which were in Episode III but whatever), those three winged transport ships.

The only things I don't like are the battle droids and their stupidity (they're droids, how can they be dumb and clumsy?), and the openings. I don't like the whole "NEWS FLASH FROM THE CLONES WARS. EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!" vibe it has.

Spacehog85

The first episode is good, and the 2nd is alright so far

Quid

And by twenty minutes I apparently mean two hours.

Spacehog85

Omeks wrote: »

The only things I don't like are the battle droids and their stupidity (they're droids, how can they be dumb and clumsy?), and the openings. I don't like the whole "NEWS FLASH FROM THE CLONES WARS. EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!" vibe it has.

This

korodullin

I actually don't mind that. It has a more of a 1940s war news reel vibe to it.

Omeks

It's a shame this is on Cartoon Network, if only for the fact that I keep having to sit through terribly annoying extended commercials for My Sims Kingdom and Simcity Creator because EA is capitalizing on the premiere.

God, My Sims Kingdom looks so terrible.

Elki

I like it, but the droids are pretty annoying.

Omeks

Oh noooooo...

In the season preview.........

C-3PO: The ship has been destroyed.
Amidala: Droids?
C-3PO: No.
Amidala: *sigh* Jar-Jar.

Cut to shot of Jar-Jar screwing things up.

Things were going so well.

korodullin

Omeks wrote: »

Oh noooooo...

In the season preview.........

C-3PO: The ship has been destroyed.
Amidala: Droids?
C-3PO: No.
Amidala: *sigh* Jar-Jar.

Cut to shot of Jar-Jar screwing things up.

Things were going so well.

Maybe... maybe it's just one episode?

...right?

Bloods End

Yeah, my main problem was the idiocy of the droids.

I really like how they are working to humanize the clones in this series. It's a little more character based than action based like the mini-sodes, but I think that works better for a 20 minute long actual series.

Zimmydoom

They are definitely not aiming high with this series.

I was thoroughly unimpressed.

maximumzero

Jar Jar fucking stuff up has the opportunity to be hilarious.

And about half of the character designs scare me slightly. As awesome as Dooku looks, Padme scares me equally as much.

And when did the droids because 6-year old retards? In TPM they did a pretty good job of kicking ass, but all of a sudden in Episode 3 on they're just doofuses.

Dracomicron

Zimmydoom wrote: »

They are definitely not aiming high with this series.

I was thoroughly unimpressed.

I was one of the few who didn't think that the theatrical movie was complete shit. It turns out, if it has lightsabers and laser battles, it's, you know, alright.

The female characters besides Ventress are just, well, useless and annoying.

I look forward to seeing how the stupid padawan dies someday. Because, you know, she pretty much has to.

Zimmydoom

Dracomicron wrote: »

Zimmydoom wrote: »

They are definitely not aiming high with this series.

I was thoroughly unimpressed.

I was one of the few who didn't think that the theatrical movie was complete shit. It turns out, if it has lightsabers and laser battles, it's, you know, alright.

The female characters besides Ventress are just, well, useless and annoying.

I look forward to seeing how the stupid padawan dies someday. Because, you know, she pretty much has to.

Don't undersell George Lucas' willingness to completely upend established continuity to sell an action figure. :P

Ratmike

maximumzero wrote: »

And when did the droids because 6-year old retards? In TPM they did a pretty good job of kicking ass, but all of a sudden in Episode 3 on they're just doofuses.

Man, what version of TPM did I watch then? Those weird tube headed droids have always been dumb as shit, but from the commercials this seems to result in Grevious bitch slapping their heads off whenever they say something dumb, so It'll probably work out in the end.

Omeks

korodullin wrote: »

Maybe... maybe it's just one episode?

...right?

Didn't Jar-Jar become part of the galactic senate or something in Episode II? Or a Naboo representative?

Did he just take time off to go on wacky adventures with Amidala?

Bloods End wrote:

I really like how they are working to humanize the clones in this series. It's a little more character based than action based like the mini-sodes, but I think that works better for a 20 minute long actual series.

I like getting to know the clones, mostly because of their cool Australian accents. However, I can't help but feel it's a mistake. Yoda and Plo Koon obviously left big impressions on all those clones and they look as though they deeply respect and are grateful for the two Jedis saving them and not throwing them away like, well, clones.

And then in Episode III the clones automatically kill them all.

Indie Winter

You cannot judge a series based on one episode. Give it about 5, than start to criticize it. Besides, what do you expect? It's a show aimed at children, not a masterful epic. It's a fun romp in the Star Wars universe. If you expect the original trilogy in TV series form, this show isn't for you.

Zimmydoom

Omeks wrote: »

korodullin wrote: »

Maybe... maybe it's just one episode?

...right?

Didn't Jar-Jar become part of the galactic senate or something in Episode II?

Did he just take time off to go on wacky adventures with Amidala?

Bloods End wrote:

I really like how they are working to humanize the clones in this series. It's a little more character based than action based like the mini-sodes, but I think that works better for a 20 minute long actual series.

I like getting to know the clones, mostly because of their cool Australian accents. However, I can't help but feel it's a mistake. Yoda and Plo Koon obviously left big impressions on all those clones and they look as though they deeply respect and are grateful for the two Jedis saving them and not throwing them away like, well, clones.

And then in Episode III the clones automatically kill them all.

IIRC in the EU quite a few of the ARC clones end up telling the Empire to get fucked when Order 66 comes around, what with having names and free will and all.

Of course that didn't stop Cody, and I don't remember how (or if) that other stuff resolves itself.

Dracomicron

Zimmydoom wrote: »

Don't undersell George Lucas' willingness to completely upend established continuity to sell an action figure. :P

DAMN YOU GEORGE LUCAS!!!

Zimmydoom

Dracomicron wrote: »

Zimmydoom wrote: »

Don't undersell George Lucas' willingness to completely upend established continuity to sell an action figure. :P

DAMN YOU GEORGE LUCAS!!!

Sometimes I think he just steals the names for his characters from the margin-scribbles on Gary Gygax's 4th grade math homework.

May Boccob rest his soul.

Dracomicron

Zimmydoom wrote: »

Dracomicron wrote: »

Zimmydoom wrote: »

Don't undersell George Lucas' willingness to completely upend established continuity to sell an action figure. :P

DAMN YOU GEORGE LUCAS!!!

Sometimes I think he just steals the names for his characters from the margin-scribbles on Gary Gygax's 4th grade math homework.

May Boccob rest his soul.

Master Plo Koon is clearly a composite ripoff of Mordenkanien and Bigby.

Zimmydoom

Next week on The Clone Wars: Anakin and Asohka face off against the evil Sith Lord Nown Ver'rrb PyyOhVV!!!

Bloods End

Zimmydoom wrote: »

Omeks wrote: »

korodullin wrote: »

Maybe... maybe it's just one episode?

...right?

Didn't Jar-Jar become part of the galactic senate or something in Episode II?

Did he just take time off to go on wacky adventures with Amidala?

Bloods End wrote:

I really like how they are working to humanize the clones in this series. It's a little more character based than action based like the mini-sodes, but I think that works better for a 20 minute long actual series.

I like getting to know the clones, mostly because of their cool Australian accents. However, I can't help but feel it's a mistake. Yoda and Plo Koon obviously left big impressions on all those clones and they look as though they deeply respect and are grateful for the two Jedis saving them and not throwing them away like, well, clones.

And then in Episode III the clones automatically kill them all.

IIRC in the EU quite a few of the ARC clones end up telling the Empire to get fucked when Order 66 comes around, what with having names and free will and all.

Of course that didn't stop Cody, and I don't remember how (or if) that other stuff resolves itself.

And you have to remember that despite attachments they may feel for there generals, the Clones are soldiers who are trained to obey orders. If their orders tell them that they have been betrayed by the Jedi and need to execute them, most of them will.

Spacehog85

Zimmydoom wrote: »

Omeks wrote: »

korodullin wrote: »

Maybe... maybe it's just one episode?

...right?

Didn't Jar-Jar become part of the galactic senate or something in Episode II?

Did he just take time off to go on wacky adventures with Amidala?

Bloods End wrote:

I really like how they are working to humanize the clones in this series. It's a little more character based than action based like the mini-sodes, but I think that works better for a 20 minute long actual series.

I like getting to know the clones, mostly because of their cool Australian accents. However, I can't help but feel it's a mistake. Yoda and Plo Koon obviously left big impressions on all those clones and they look as though they deeply respect and are grateful for the two Jedis saving them and not throwing them away like, well, clones.

And then in Episode III the clones automatically kill them all.

IIRC in the EU quite a few of the ARC clones end up telling the Empire to get fucked when Order 66 comes around, what with having names and free will and all.

Of course that didn't stop Cody, and I don't remember how (or if) that other stuff resolves itself.

Indeed, IIRC the book that is set after Episode III details how some of them were helping a few Jedi, and then how the other clones + post roast Vader kick their collective asses to find the Jedi.

Zimmydoom

They're less "trained to obey" than subconsciously programmed long before they're even activated. Hence the reason why some ARC troopers are able to resist, since they're aware of their own individuality.

Quid

I.H.N.I.W.T.R. wrote: »

Besides, what do you expect? It's a show aimed at children, not a masterful epic.

Do you know why this is a crap excuse?



I refuse to accept "It's for kids!" as a reason for a show to suck anymore.

Zimmydoom

Quid wrote: »

I.H.N.I.W.T.R. wrote: »

Besides, what do you expect? It's a show aimed at children, not a masterful epic.

Do you know why this is a crap excuse?



I refuse to accept "It's for kids!" as a reason for a show to suck anymore.

That stopped being a valid excuse back when Beast Wars rocked Saturday mornings.

And that was a show about a fucking toy line.

Quid

Good point. And come to think of it, Invader Zim was awesome too and that was with Nick holding a gun to the creator's head to keep it kid friendly.

So yeah, kids like shows that don't suck too.

Zimmydoom

Quid wrote: »

Good point. And come to think of it, Invader Zim was awesome too and that was with Nick holding a gun to the creator's head to keep it kid friendly.

So yeah, kids like shows that don't suck too.

Why yes, I do have good taste in things that are awesome. Thank you.

Spacehog85

Quid wrote: »

I.H.N.I.W.T.R. wrote: »

Besides, what do you expect? It's a show aimed at children, not a masterful epic.

Do you know why this is a crap excuse?



I refuse to accept "It's for kids!" as a reason for a show to suck anymore.

Right, the pseudo-captain planet show, you got earth, wind, fire, and air. Now just find a Brazilian with a pet monkey and a ring with a big heart on it. Remember, the power is YOURS!

Indie Winter

Zimmydoom wrote: »

Quid wrote: »

I.H.N.I.W.T.R. wrote: »

Besides, what do you expect? It's a show aimed at children, not a masterful epic.

Do you know why this is a crap excuse?



I refuse to accept "It's for kids!" as a reason for a show to suck anymore.

That stopped being a valid excuse back when Beast Wars rocked Saturday mornings.

And that was a show about a fucking toy line.

Those are the exceptions that prove the rule. I loved Avatar. I loved Beast Wars. But most children's shows today do not have those kinds of plots, those kinds of settings. They can succeed perfectly well without them. So, since this is a show aimed at children, I find it better not to expect much. If this proves to be on level with Avatar, It'll be amazing, and we will all be happy. But if not, meh. It doesn't have to be.