Rewatching the Clone Wars

[commanderneyo]

When is the next review coming up?

[Walter Kovacs]

I just noticed right now that the paint job is different from the 'standard' ones, maybe because they are initial releases/prototypes?

Maybe I'm the only one who thought that the red tinge was from a sunset, or the light from the closeset star, and not a special paint job.

[XimenaPaulina]

Maybe I'm the only one who thought that the red tinge was from a sunset, or the light from the closeset star, and not a special paint job.

I still think it's a different paint job, because of the unusual white stripes in the front, side, and even the wings, all of which are not seen in standard-colored ARC-170s. Anyways, it's not really a big issue, but just interesting to see some variation in the ships from time-to-time.

[Walter Kovacs]

I still think it's a different paint job, because of the unusual white stripes in the front, side, and even the wings, all of which are not seen in standard-colored ARC-170s. Anyways, it's not really a big issue, but just interesting to see some variation in the ships from time-to-time.

Eh, I didn't notice the white stripes. Perhaps those are just flight wing markings, so that the pilots know who belongs to what formation in the heat of battle. It'd get pretty boring if every ARC-170 looked exactly the same. TCW has done a pretty good job making sure clones and equipment are not all samey-samey. This might be an example.

[XimenaPaulina]

Eh, I didn't notice the white stripes. Perhaps those are just flight wing markings, so that the pilots know who belongs to what formation in the heat of battle. It'd get pretty boring if every ARC-170 looked exactly the same. TCW has done a pretty good job making sure clones and equipment are not all samey-samey. This might be an example.

Yeah, I actually like the variation of the vehicle colors, it's kinda cool seeing them change from the standard color schemes, like the blue RGS (Plo's Bros) in the S2 premiere, red Y-Wings in Point Rain, and the green AT-TEs in Liberty on Ryloth.

[The Legonater]

Yeah, I actually like the variation of the vehicle colors, it's kinda cool seeing them change from the standard color schemes, like the blue RGS (Plo's Bros) in the S2 premiere, red Y-Wings in Point Rain, and the green AT-TEs in Liberty on Ryloth.

Personally, I like what Filoni's done with existing vehicles in the series, especially the AT-TE. The 'up-the-cliff' idea was a stroke of genious that he doesn't seem to have often.

[def]

Episode 19: The Zillo Beast Strikes Back

A calculated risk! Following a costly victory on the planet Malastare, Chancellor Palpatine orders Jedi Knights Mace Windu and Anakin Skywalker to transport a fearsome Zillo beast captured during the battle back to Coruscant.

After seeing that not even a lightsaber could harm the beast, Chancellor Palpatine hopes to unlock the secret of its invulnerability to create new armor for the Republic's clone troopers. Tensions run high as the most dangerous life form in the galaxy touches down on its most populous planet....

First up, I'm not so thrilled to be reviewing these last couple of episodes. Despite episode 17 being one of the best of the series, the season has been somewhat lame. Season one was promising, if disappointing in places, and season two was not the step up I hoped it would be. It certainly looks better, but the stories have been unambitious and derivative. And this episode seems in all ways a Godzilla knock off, so really, I don't care to see it. I don't have faith that the show will build on the model more than adequately.

So, the Emperor has brought the hulking, lightsaber-immune Zillo Beast to Coruscant. Will it get free in the cities? The emperor seems to think the armor of the beast will end the war, despite the armor being somewhat Jedi-proof, not droid proof. The emperor is well-portrayed as a sinister dick here, and his rhetoric when swaying Anakin to his side is well done. I think he's got no argument, but it's written in a way that I can believe other people might believe it. He orders the extinction of the last Zillo Beast, and then, it all goes awry, and at the halfway mark, Godzillo escapes.

I must admit, there was some pleasure in seeing the few minutes of rampaging that the Zillo Beast got, tearing stuff up throughout the mega-city. But that is balanced out by Padme's politically correct whinging, and C-3PO saying yet again, "We're doomed!" Twenty seconds later, the emperor says, "I have a bad feeling about this." Do the writers get a stipend every time they reuse a Lucas "phrase"? At least some of the other dialogue is a bit better crafted. Rex's line about "a lot of Commander Skywalker's plans involve falling" was genuinely amusing.

In the end, the story was exactly how you thought it would be. The only question was if the beast would die or not. It did, and the episode gets one point for that, for not pulling its punches. The animation was beautiful, the action was good, but the characterization lame. If I was 10 years old, the action would be amazing and the political intrigue would be illuminating, and so I can give thanks to the creators for having a good quality level, for the intended audience. But as an adult, I can see it all telecast a mile away. Rating:7/10

For heavy lifting, the Zillo Beast's research staff use nifty robots, which look absolutely made for Lego.

CLL-M2

The emperor has a lovely shuttle he uses to run away from the Zillo Beast. This is a slick number, only appearing here so far. You can't knock the producers on ship design. They throw a lot of good stuff out there.

H-2 Executive Shuttle

Lego ships appearing: Loads of gunships

Lego wishlist: CLL-M2, H-2 Executive Shuttle

Next Up: It's a trap!

[Oky]

I already mentioned the scientist in my last review, but that's OK since she had a bigger role this time, and your screenshot of her is better than mine.

Rex's comment was indeed funny, and what was also funny is Filoni's behind-the-scenes commentary on this episode where he says that Zillo was just trying to tell the Jedi that Palpy is a Sith Lord.

You think Season 2 was disappointing? Wait 'til you see Season 3!

[XimenaPaulina]

The emperor has a lovely shuttle he uses to run away from the Zillo Beast. This is a slick number, only appearing here so far. You can't knock the producers on ship design. They throw a lot of good stuff out there.

H-2 Executive Shuttle

Ooh, this executive shuttle looks very interesting. 'Love the sleekness of the design. Now I know what the Chancellor uses as his official shuttle (I always thought he just uses the Jedi Shuttlebus). Overall, the episode is just ok, it was nice to see how huge the Zillo beast really is relative to the ships, I parrticularly like the scene where the gunships looks very small when they were cornering the beast.

[commanderneyo]

I already mentioned the scientist in my last review, but that's OK since she had a bigger role this time, and your screenshot of her is better than mine.

Rex's comment was indeed funny, and what was also funny is Filoni's behind-the-scenes commentary on this episode where he says that Zillo was just trying to tell the Jedi that Palpy is a Sith Lord.

You think Season 2 was disappointing? Wait 'til you see Season 3!

ARC Troopers matches Landing at point rain and other than Jar-Jar in supply lines it was a good episode.

[XimenaPaulina]

You think Season 2 was disappointing? Wait 'til you see Season 3!

I agree. After a relatively decent premiere, Season 3 is on a downward spiral in terms of episode quality and overall enjoyment.

ARC Troopers matches Landing at point rain and other than Jar-Jar in supply lines it was a good episode.

I beg to disagree. Landing at Point Rain is untouchable up there in the upper echelon of best episode in the whole CW series. ARC Troopers is good but not as good as Point Rain IMO.

[def]

I already mentioned the scientist in my last review, but that's OK since she had a bigger role this time, and your screenshot of her is better than mine.

Rex's comment was indeed funny, and what was also funny is Filoni's behind-the-scenes commentary on this episode where he says that Zillo was just trying to tell the Jedi that Palpy is a Sith Lord.

You think Season 2 was disappointing? Wait 'til you see Season 3!

Gyah!

I read your review, but I didn't remember the doctor. Just didn't much of an impression on me. I even made some screen grabs of that episode, and ignored the doctor the first time around!

Like this cool clone helmet:

They are doing last year's cool bomb squad this year, so there's hope they might do more interesting paint jobs.

I have the new episodes on my hard drive, but won't touch them until we gruel through these last handful of episodes. It's my wedding anniversary this weekend, so don't expect me to finish my last one until next week.

[XimenaPaulina]

They are doing last year's cool bomb squad this year, so there's hope they might do more interesting paint jobs.

Well, in terms of cool custom clone helmet paint jobs, there are a lot, as in a lot that were featured in the series, spanning from Season 1 up to the current Season 3. It would be nice to get these nice custom painted helmets, but I think there are too many to consider releasing them so for now TLG might be reserving these special-printed helmets for the high ranking clones (we already got Cody, Fox & Rex, probable ones in the future are Gree, Bly, Thire). If the printed helmets in the upcoming BP is any indication, then other less-known custom helmeted-clones might have a chance in future sets.

[Penitent Tangent]

I agree. After a relatively decent premiere, Season 3 is on a downward spiral in terms of episode quality and overall enjoyment.

I have to disagree with you on "episode quality". While everything after the first two wasn't particularly good, there has been a noticeable increase in the quality of animation, how the characters act and the diversity and graphics of the models.. Obi-wan has clearly been improved, he looks a lot more detailed than he did in previous seasons, we've seen robes on characters like Shaak-ti and there's been a lot less duplicated characters popping up.

I also think "Assassin" has redeemed the season after a luckluster run of episodes, so hopefully they can keep up more of that sort of quality.

[XimenaPaulina]

I have to disagree with you on "episode quality". While everything after the first two wasn't particularly good, there has been a noticeable increase in the quality of animation, how the characters act and the diversity and graphics of the models.. Obi-wan has clearly been improved, he looks a lot more detailed than he did in previous seasons, we've seen robes on characters like Shaak-ti and there's been a lot less duplicated characters popping up.

I also think "Assassin" has redeemed the season after a luckluster run of episodes, so hopefully they can keep up more of that sort of quality.

But graphics and visuals are just part of the overall episode quality. I agree the animation have been improved but other aspects of the "quality" like introduction of new elements (no recycling of settings/storylines), and the confusing chronology of events have diminished the enjoyability of the S3 episodes. Well, I could only hope that the upcoming epis will pick-up from the rather good Assassin episode.

[def]

I'd much rather see great writing at the animation level of season one than jacked up animation with mediocre stories and characterization.

[commanderneyo]

This is my ratings for the S3 episodes so far.(Out of 10).

Clone Cadets:9 ARC Troopers:10 Supply Lines:7 Sphere of Influence:7 Corruption:5 The Academy:8 Assasin:9

Edited October 30, 2010 by commanderneyo

[Supersonic]

I agree. After a relatively decent premiere, Season 3 is on a downward spiral in terms of episode quality and overall enjoyment.

I beg to disagree. Landing at Point Rain is untouchable up there in the upper echelon of best episode in the whole CW series. ARC Troopers is good but not as good as Point Rain IMO.

Totally my view of things too. Only two episodse in Season 3 really featured the actual Clone Wars (ARC Troopers and 50% of Supply Lines), while the rest seems to lead to more senate/detective work/bounty hunter episodes. Mandalore was pretty lame, and I don't like how the newest episode messes around with the continuity of the series - a season 3 episode that happens before the season 1 finale? A bit of a stretch. Still, I really hope we'll get to Savage Opress (as seen in the trailer)and more clone action soon.

LAPR is the best TCW episode so far. ARC Troopers was one of the good ones, but LAPR is one of its kind.

[Forresto]

Am I the only one thinking that Saavage may be a prequel episode?

Either way I really hope that Delta squad will be made in Lego, even if it's a toy's r us exclusive.

[Corvus]

Personally, I feel that while the quality of the animation has gone up, the storytelling has stayed roughly equal to what it was in season one. That is, the episodes have massive plot holes, characters have terrible dialogue, and episodes are written with a specific end goal in mind, so are not character-driven at all. I feel that if the CW team can get over these stumbling blocks, they will start to have a great show.

Unfortunately, there are things that can never be truly fixed with the show. Accuracy in design as well as following EU continuity are very important to me, but not to others, as has already been talked to death. Discrepancies between the movie clone armor and CW clone armor has always distracted me. Likewise, discrepancies in ARC troopers over the details of clone training left me liking the episode less than I could have.

Either way I really hope that Delta squad will be made in Lego, even if it's a toy's r us exclusive.

Unfortunately, I think their role will be reduced to a cameo, only reporting to Obi and the group.

[JimBee]

Well now that I've finally been able to catch up on the half of Season 2 that I missed, I can finally read these. I like them a lot, especially when there's background information (I checked here to see if that really was Mon Mothma).

As for the show itself, I know it bothers a lot of people about the plot holes and whatever else is wrong with the show, but come on, it's a kids show. I usually don't notice some of the smaller details, such as appearance discrepancies, and I find the show entertaining for what it is.

The only thing I don't like, as has been mentioned before, is the less action-y episodes (specifically the Padme-centric ones). They just don't fit in, and are not very exciting. The real-world references are somewhat annoying as well.

If anything, the show has kept the LSW alive, and I do like some of the new or sort of unknown EU vehicles and characters the show brings.

[def]

Well now that I've finally been able to catch up on the half of Season 2 that I missed, I can finally read these. I like them a lot, especially when there's background information (I checked here to see if that really was Mon Mothma).

As for the show itself, I know it bothers a lot of people about the plot holes and whatever else is wrong with the show, but come on, it's a kids show. I usually don't notice some of the smaller details, such as appearance discrepancies, and I find the show entertaining for what it is.

Glad it's useful! I would love to reorganize this thread so all the reviews are instantly accessible, but it's more work than I want to do right now.

As for the show, I agree it is fine for what it is. I've written it a few times here, but I really believe kids shows should be well written. I think a lot of kids shows get hack writers since they say "it's just for kids". But, we all know that Pixar movies are very satisfying for adults, as were the old Disney shorts. I love Ren & Stimpy too. It's not about the animation quality, it's the writers. And there are a lot of lazy writers employed by Lucasfilm. When the original Clone Wars movie came out, there was some leeway given to it since someone at Lucasfilm decided to rush a movie out at the end of the summer to pull in some cash (it didn't) and wanted to hype the show. At this point, I think that outside of the graphics department, the company just has low standards.

Luckily, when it comes to Lego, graphics and design are the most important parts.

[Supersonic]

I hope you haven't forgotten about this ;) There are still some season 2 episodes to do and you need to catch up.

[Oky]

Relax, guys, it's not even been a week since the last review. def and I are on it, but we don't wanna rush it, and we have lives too. I'm working on the next review and it should be posted soon.

Patience, young padawan.

[Supersonic]

Relax, guys, it's not even been a week since the last review. def and I are on it, but we don't wanna rush it, and we have lives too. I'm working on the next review and it should be posted soon.

Patience, young padawan.

Okay Maybe I underestimate the work it takes for those reviews, screen shots and everything. It's just that I really enjoy your reviews