Star Wars: The Clone Wars (PG)
CGI Star Wars saga is dull, despite action.
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- Studio: Warner Bros.
- Directed By: Dave Filoni
- Cast: Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, James Arnold Taylor
- Running Time: 98 minutes
- Release Date: 8/15/2008
- Video/DVD Release Date: 11/10/2008
- Genre: Science Fiction
- MPAA Rating: PG
- MPAA Explanation: sci-fi action violence throughout, brief language and momentary smoking.
Parents need to know
Families can talk about different kinds of movie violence. Does the fact this film is animated make its depiction of war and combat more acceptable to viewers? Does the sci-fi angle make the consequences of the fights and conflicts seem less realistic? Families can also discuss how this film compares to the original 1970s live-action saga that many parents grew up with, as well as the more recent trilogy. Why do you think George Lucas decided to make another Star Wars movie?
Message
Social Behavior:
Some discussion of "the privilege of teaching." The kidnapping of a crime lord's son figures prominently in the plot. Several references to "gangsters" and "scum." Another character is referred to as an "assassin." An alien infant is exposed to some peril. Some burp-and-belch humor.
Consumerism:
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
In an outer-space nightclub, several non-humans drink what are presumably intoxicants; a huge, slug-like alien smokes from a hookah.
Violence
Constant -- albeit bloodless -- animated science-fiction action, including lightsaber duels and small-arms and artillery fire of energy beams. Much of the violence is perpetrated against robots, but some isn't, including several soldiers in high-tech armor taking fire and falling in battle, with phrases like "Get a medic"" and "Man down!" used to imply the severity of the circumstances. A solider in battle armor is shot through the heart with an energy beam. Some hand-to-hand fighting. Spaceships, clearly staffed by human characters, explode.
Sex
Alien dancing girls perform in tight clothing; some longing glances.
Language
Minimal use of "damn."
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by James Rocchi
Is it any good?
The film unfortunately has more in common with the heavy, clumsy paces of the "new" Star Wars trilogy than the more graceful, spirited ones of the three original films from the '70s and '80s. There are plots and conspiracies and stratagems, usually over-explained by characters appearing in a holographic communication with our heroes and villains; watching The Clone Wars feels like listening in to several tedious phone conversations, interrupted by fight scenes. Yes, the action is non-stop, but as The Clone Wars takes place between two movies viewers already know the outcome of, it's hard to shake the fact that the entire film feels like money-making filler, an attempt to wring more story -- and money -- out of a long-established franchise.
Related Video
Other choices
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars: Clone Wars
(earlier animated TV series)
LEGO Star Wars
(video game)
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