The Clone Wars: What Was Ain't Never Gonna Be

I spent a good chunk of the summer being excited about release of The Clone Wars, the third animated installment of the Star Wars prequel series. Then the reviews came in. From what I read the new flick was supposedly up there with Ishtar and Gigli as one of the worst flicks of all time. But still, I had to see it for myself.

While most of my compatriots have already lost their patience with George Lucas and his employees after three of the most highly-anticipated and underwhelming films in my near 33 years, I was still interested in the stories, and had been pleased by the work in the first two animated installments, a two-part bridger series released on DVD to explain the events between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. It's ironic that my last viewing of these two was the last time I was in LA.

This most recent theatrical release is pretty much a part three in that same series and a precursor to a continuing series of episodes due to run on Cartoon Network this fall. Though I admittedly peeped it on download, I have to say that I was impressed.

The critics and my friends who trusted in them had me expecting something worse than the Phantom Menace. But in truth, by adjusting my vision a bit and watching a flick that obviously targeted the kiddies, what I check was an hour and 40 minutes filled with plenty of lightsaber action, some dope space battle sequences and a storyline that was not only believable but that actually made sense. No Hayden Christiansen. No more of Lucas writing. A young director who seemed interested in doing some balanced family-friendly anime. It wasn't bad. Hell, I might even buy it.

As my days of running around with a play lightsaber and trying to move objects with my mind are long over, I can say that it was a pleasure to watch a well-done flick that told a story I've loved since I was a kid. Even if it had its cheesy moments, it's far better than some of those points in Clones and Sith where I thought of taking a saber to Lucas myself Maybe I'm getting soft. But then again I had no problem expressing my distaste for the Indiana Jones revival. On for with the new series. I may actually be there for every episode. Out.