If you're a fan of Star Wars but haven't watched the animated The Clones Wars series on the Cartoon Network yet, then you probably don't know what you're missing. As adults, its easy to dismiss this as just a silly little cartoon or just another way George Lucas is raking in the cash, but after watching this series its further from the truth than you could possibly imagine. There's nothing in the Star Wars Universe that i haven't watched or read, and so with an ever skeptical eye and negative attitude I tuned in last season to The Clone Wars. I told myself I would hate it, I mean, how could I not? This animated series was obviously going to be geared towards kids even more than the prequels and it seemed unfathomable that anything good would come from such a series. And then I watch the first episode. Wow. It was actually good! I found myself eager to watch the episodes each week for the amazing animation, the story-telling, and the humor and this series came alive for me.
Season two of the series launches in two days, on October 2 and promises more of the same Star Wars magic we got last season. This season will focus more heavily on the rise of the bounty hunters and their instrumental role during the Clone Wars, and the character Cad Bane, who has had his own unique marketing blitz lately, will be front and center, filling the hole left by Jango Fett's death.
One of the men behind The Clone Wars (other than George Lucas) is Dave Filoni. Dave is a supervising director and works directly with Lucas, who he describes as "very specific," adding that Lucas is involved down to the last frame and that there is even dialog changes made by him. So what does the one and only creator of Star Wars expect from his padawan, Dave Filoni?
"I'm tasked by my master with trying to recreate some of that magic. It's a very big challenge - how do we capture that magic that is Star Wars, that everyone fell in love with? How do you get that feeling from the acting and action? There couldn't be a better mentor than George Lucas," said Filoni at a recent event at Lucas Arts' Big Rock Ranch.
I, for one, agree that they have been consistently achieving the very elusive magic that they're searching for. While The Clone Wars certainly doesn't reach the level of the original trilogy, an impossible feat for any addition to the Star Wars Universe, the magic is there non-the-less. One of the defining elements of the original movies is how they inspired kids of all ages to act out and follow their dreams. That same kind of magic is there with The Clone Wars, and in full force. If you don't believe me, go to an elementary school, and see if you can find any Star Wars t-shirts being worn. Start asking boys at the school if they like the show, and if they watch it regularly. I know a four year old boy who is absolutely in love with anything and everything Star Wars. I know another teenager, fifteen years old who can't get enough of The Clone Wars. Last week a group of young padawans ran down the sidewalk in front of my house, lightsabers in hand, ready to fight the evil that surrounds us. It took everything I had not to run to the garage and get my lightsaber, and join them in their all-important quest. So yes, at 34 years old, it fills me with some of the same joy and brings back memories of a youth long since gone. Put simply, The Clone Wars is a part of the vast Star Wars Universe, and its a really good part of it. Its introducing the same magic people my age grew up with to a whole new generation of kids. It inspires. It awes. And it makes us laugh. Are you a Star Wars fan? Then give The Clone Wars a chance. Season 2 starts on Friday, October 2 on the Cartoon Network at 8 pm eastern.
Below is the official description of season 2.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Rise of the Bounty Hunters premieres Friday, October 2, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)
ATLANTA — Coming off of the record-setting first season of star Wars: The Clone Wars, Cartoon Network announced today it will premiere a full slate of 22 all-new episodes for season two of the critically acclaimed and top-rated CG-animated series from creator George Lucas and Lucasfilm Animation. The special one-hour season two premiere event of star Wars: The Clone Wars airs Friday, October 2, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).
star Wars: The Clone Wars has emerged as one of the preeminent animated series on television, combining the expansive scope of the star Wars saga with exciting weekly adventures. During its first season, premiere episodes of star Wars: The Clone Wars on Cartoon Network (Fridays at 9 p.m.) ranked #1 on all TV with boys 6-11. star Wars: The Clone Wars is a thrilling, weekly 30-minute mini-movie created by the talented artists at Lucasfilm Animation.
Fierce battles, expanded storylines and ground-breaking animation raise the stakes in star Wars: The Clone Wars – Rise of the Bounty Hunters. The lives of the Jedi become more complex as secret and forbidden relationships are revealed and a new breed of villain enters to take advantage of the wartime turmoil. Season two introduces these lawless rogues into the fray along with a host of new characters, locations and creatures. Set against the spectacular backdrop of the star Wars universe, The Clone Wars is bigger, bolder and more intense than ever before.
Source: UGO
First of all I'd like to say I really enjoyed reading your article.
I have to admit I wasn't much of a Star Wars fan to begin with. The original trilogy never interested me and the prequels disappointed me (I remember saying to my sister I couldn't possibly understand what was the big deal with Star Wars lol)
So what happened?
Well, The Clone Wars happened. I began watching the animated series on Cartoon Network just because it was new (the « latest« programs/films/series which air on TV in the country I live in are at least 5 years old) and I was bored. Missing the first episode did not matter as it already got my full attention, but when I first met Asajj Ventress, I was completely hooked. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I watched the prequels again (though I still think they could have done better, I was much more entertained this time around) and in the natural order of things I even watched the original trilogy (finally understanding what was the big deal with Star Wars!)
You'd think now that I know the story and how it ends my new found obsession would pass, right? Well you're wrong. I watched the old Clone Wars animated series. Then I began reading the comics. And now I'm playing the pc games Knight of the Old Republic.
I simply can't get enough of this universe. And looking back, it's all because of The Clone Wars. I only wish I'd already been born to experience the magic of this story when it came out 30 years ago. And 25 or not, I will gladly join any young padawans on their mission to end evil (and you should come along too, we need all the help we can get!) once I'm done building my lightsaber :D
First of all I’d like to say I really enjoyed reading your article.
I have to admit I wasn’t much of a Star Wars fan to begin with. The original trilogy never interested me and the prequels disappointed me (I remember saying to my sister I couldn’t possibly understand what was the big deal with Star Wars lol)
So what happened?
Well, The Clone Wars happened. I began watching the animated series on Cartoon Network just because it was new (the « latest« programs/films/series which air on TV in the country I live in are at least 5 years old) and I was bored. Missing the first episode did not matter as it already got my full attention, but when I first met Asajj Ventress, I was completely hooked. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I watched the prequels again (though I still think they could have done better, I was much more entertained this time around) and in the natural order of things I even watched the original trilogy (finally understanding what was the big deal with Star Wars!)
You’d think now that I know the story and how it ends my new found obsession would pass, right? Well you’re wrong. I watched the old Clone Wars animated series. Then I began reading the comics. And now I’m playing the pc games Knight of the Old Republic.
I simply can’t get enough of this universe. And looking back, it’s all because of The Clone Wars. I only wish I’d already been born to experience the magic of this story when it came out 30 years ago. And 25 or not, I will gladly join any young padawans on their mission to end evil (and you should come along too, we need all the help we can get!) once I’m done building my lightsaber :D