AlthoughStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hopewas a film that shattered box office records upon its theatrical debut, theStar Warsfranchise has been quiet on the big screen front for the last few years. Ironically, the series that had once been known for promoting the theatrical experience has turned its sights to television for the near future, with shows likeThe MandalorianandAhsokahandling the universe’s most pressing developments. Television is nothing new forStar Wars,asDave Filoni’s showsStar Wars:The Clone WarsandStar WarsRebelshelped develop enthusiasm for the franchise in the aftermath of the disappointing reactions to the prequel trilogy. However,theStar Wars: Clone Warsmicro-series from Genndy Tartakovskywas the first animated television show to tell stories in the universe.
Star Wars: Clone Warswasn’t the firstStar Warstelevision show, as the animation company Nelvana had produced the low-budgetEwoksandDroidscartoons in the 1980s shortly afterStar Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedihit theaters. However, the series was far more ambitious in its visual language, as Tartakovsky drew from the kinetic, expressionistic style that made his work onSamurai JackandPrimalso groundbreaking. It was a series that had many highlights, includingthe emergence of the bounty hunter Durge, Mace Windu facing off with an army of droid soldiers, and theStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithvillain General Grievousat his most ruthless. However,the lightsaber duel at the end ofStar Wars: Clone Wars’ second season is among the most brutal and exhilarating in the saga’s history.
Star Wars: Clone Wars
Anakin Skywalker Battled Asajj Ventress in ‘Star Wars: Clone Wars’
Star Wars: Clone Warsis set shortly after the events ofStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, where the Grand Army of the Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems are locked in a brutal war to retain the loyalty of the galaxy’s star systems. Even though the events are secretly being organized by Chancellor Palpatine, the Jedi leaders believe that their cause is just and lead the Clone Troopers to attack severalstrongholds held by Count Dooku (Corey Burton).In the first two seasons of the series, Anakin Skywalker (Mat Lucas) is still a Jedi apprentice learning from Obi-Wan Kenobi (James Arnold Taylor). Despite valiantly fighting for the Jedi Order during the Battle of Geonosis, Anakin has not yet proven himself worthy of ascending within the ranks in the eyes of the Jedi Council.
Star Wars: Clone Warsmarkedthe introduction of Asajj Ventress(Nika Futterman), a character who would become increasingly popular thanks to her subsequent appearances inThe Clone WarsandThe Bad Batch. A ruthless, sadistic trainee of Dooku’s, Ventress is tasked with tormenting the Jedi and drawing Anakin into a battle. It’s evident that this set up is part of a larger goal on Darth Sidious’ part. While Dooku is under the impression that Ventress is supposed to kill Anakin, Sidious is secretly hoping that a dance with the dark side will inspire the young Jedi to unleash his inner anger. It served as a stealthy bit of foreshadowing to the events ofStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
Genndy Tartakovsky’s ‘Clone Wars’ Introduced a New Style of Star Wars Animation
After Ventress destroys Anakin’s beloved astromech unit R4-P22, he tracks her down to the forest planet Yavin IV, which later serves as the base of the Rebel Alliance inA New Hope.The duel between Anakin and Ventress is stylistically distinctfrom anyother duel in the Star Wars franchise.The original trilogy explored a more brutal side of combat, and the prequels created elaborately choreographed sequences. However,Star Wars: Clone Warsfeatured exaggerated movements and highlighted different abilities of the Force. While it would have been impossible to recreate in live action, it perfectly fits within this unique chapter of the Star Wars universe.
Whilst visually stimulating and aesthetically unique,the lightsaber duel inStar Wars: Clone Warshas a significant impact on Anakin’s character arc.There are many visual allusions to the experiences that Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) has in the cave on Dagobah inStar Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back; while Luke ultimately rejects the dark side after understanding he could become his father, Anakin is unable to control his emotions, and ruthlessly slays Ventress. Ironically,defeating the Sith acolyteis what helps him advance to the rank of Jedi Knight. The sequence is brilliant in how it changes the audience’s perception of the characters. While initially Ventress is seen as an almost slasher-like villain, it’s quickly revealed that she is just as much a pawn as Anakin is. After Anakin ruthlessly pushes her from the side of the cliff, it’s hard not to feel a little bit of sympathy for a character who had once been terrifying.
‘Clone Wars’ Represents the Freedom of ‘Star Wars’ Television
Star Warstelevision is at its least successful when it attempts to recreate what was in the films; shows likeObi-Wan KenobiandThe Book of Boba Fettsufferedbecause the stories that they told were ultimately inessential within the larger Star Wars canon. However,Star Wars: Clone WarsreshapedStar Warsimagery into an original work of artthat didn’t require previous knowledge of the universe. Perhaps, viewers less enamored with the dull politics of theStar Warsprequels may have found more to enjoy in Tartakovsky’s series.
While it’s sadly now classified as “non-canon,”Star Wars: Clone Warswas highly influential upon the future ofStar Warstelevision.Filoni’s series took a similarly stylized approach to lightsaber combat, resulting in the now iconic duel between Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein) and Darth Maul (Sam Witwer)within its final season.
Star Wars: Clone Warsis available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.
