It was my ninth birthday once I first noticed Star Wars: The Clone Wars the animated film. It was additionally the “first” Star Wars film that I bought to see in theaters. I say “first” as a result of despite the fact that I had seen Attack of the Clones once I was two-and-a-half and Revenge of the Sith once I was five-and-a-half years previous, I used to be too younger to recollect what that have was like. So for me, The Clone Wars was the “first” time I noticed a Star Wars film and remembered what that have was like.
15 years later, I’m simply turning 24, graduated from faculty, and now work at Star Wars News Net, writing concerning the sequence I grew up loving. But since then, I’ve intentionally prevented going again and rewatching The Clone Wars sequence and the unique film. I’ve seen all of it, however I by no means went again to rewatch any of it as a result of it’s, in a approach, like revisiting one’s elementary faculty. Going again will conjure up fond recollections, but in addition, painful ones of what it was like rising up.
Nonetheless, for its fifteenth anniversary, I took the plunge and went again to look at The Clone Wars film. And guess what? It was higher than I remembered.
The Negative Discourse Around The Clone Wars Movie
Star Wars: The Clone Wars the animated film is among the most critically lambasted items of Star Wars media there may be. While I used to be younger on the time, I bear in mind film critic Roger Ebert giving it a scathing assessment. In Ebert’s assessment of The Clone Wars, he gave it a low ranking of one-and-a-half stars. He requested in his assessment, “Has the magical affect of George Lucas’ unique imaginative and prescient of Star Wars been diminished to the extent of Saturday morning animation?” He additionally stated in his assessment, “Ahsoka Tano, by the best way, is annoying.”
And Ebert will not be alone in these sentiments. It’s a discourse that continues to hang-out the film to this present day, because it at the moment sits on Rotten Tomatoes with a particularly low 18% and an viewers rating of 40%.
And despite the fact that The Clone Wars TV present has turned many individuals round, it appears as if the film hasn’t. It’s a part of the rationale why I by no means went again and watched the film all this time. While I loved watching it on my ninth birthday, I questioned not lengthy afterward whether or not it was truly good, or whether or not it was childhood ignorance.
The Clone Wars Movie Is Better Than You Remember
It’s not an ideal film. It suffers from lots of the early points that The Clone Wars sequence had. An overemphasis on “cutesy” characters. Over-the-top caricature performances. Dated animation. Pacing points. All of those facets are current.
But there are extra facets that it does proper than there are these it does improper. Immediately, viewers will discover simply how a lot motion is packed in. There is loads of large battle sequences, lightsaber duels, and moments the place the Clones get an opportunity to shine. And for individuals who have seen the whole thing of the sequence, followers will discover loads of seeds being planted for future large moments. Stuff like Rex telling Ahsoka, “expertise outranks all the things,” Anakin saying to Ahsoka, “race you to the highest,” and Yoda saying that for Anakin, “letting go of his pupil, an important problem it will likely be.”
The Beginning of Ahsoka’s Journey
Naive. Arrogant. Not prepared to take duty. These are all traits that describe me as a younger nine-year-old boy. They’re additionally the identical traits that can probably be utilized to all younger children. And these are additionally the identical traits that apply to Ahsoka Tano in The Clone Wars film.
Can Ahsoka be annoying? Yes, however all children will be very annoying. And typically media portraying children as annoying will not be a fault of the makers, however merely them being correct. And for teenagers, myself included, it allowed us younger folks to have somebody within the Star Wars universe we may join with with out us realizing
The Ahsoka on this film is vastly completely different than the Ahsoka seen in later seasons of The Clone Wars, and that’s factor. Ahsoka modified, developed over time, and have become extra accountable. Having her begin off as being flawed, irresponsible, and “annoying,” after which having her develop over time (with the viewers) is a part of why she’s so well-loved. Yes, critics and lots of viewers on the time hated her and ashamedly bullied actress Ashley Eckstein, however have a look at the place Ahsoka is now. It’s a disgrace that Ahsoka’s journey started this fashion, however I and lots of others are so grateful the creators and Eckstein caught with it and endured.
The Clone Wars Movie Laid the Foundation For Future Star Wars Projects
There are many different excellent elements to The Clone Wars film. Kevin Kiner’s music, Dave Filoni’s introduction to Star Wars, Christopher Lee’s efficiency as Dooku, and even the connection between Anakin and Ahsoka as just some examples. But actually, this film is simply the beginning of one thing higher. Without this, Star Wars wouldn’t have The Clone Wars sequence, Star Wars: Rebels, Ahsoka, and presumably even The Mandalorian.
But the most important factor we wouldn’t have is Ahsoka Tano. This beloved character started on a rocky basis, however quickly after, skyrocketed to locations none of us may even think about. She’s an inspiration to all of us, and to that younger nine-year-old on his birthday to beat all obstacles and obtain the unattainable.
Jay Goodearl’s earliest reminiscence is of his father studying out to him the opening crawl to The Phantom Menace when he was simply two years previous. He has been a Star Wars fan ever since.
