Club Jade

Step right up to watch the latest episode of The Clone Wars on StarWars.com for a limited time. Sorry, but this ‘Voyage of Temptation’ does not feature anyone getting naked, not even Greg Proops.

If romance (or retail-driven holidays pertaining to it) is on your mind, there’s always Hallmark’s The Clone Wars Valentines. They’re not as hilarious as the Revenge of the Sith ones, but few are.

Really, io9? Really? Is there so little actual news in the entire world of science fiction and fantasy today that you had to dig up some news from December and try to spin it to be about the live-action series? Really? Here’s a hint: It isn’t.

On the other hand, thanks for the laugh. I needed that.

Pixar’s Up took Best Animated Feature last night at the Annie Awards. And while it might not be worth a mention from The Hollywood Reporter, Robot Chicken: Star Wars 2.5 nabbed Best Animated Short Subject. Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder was named Best Home Entertainment Production.

The Clone Wars’ Kevin Kiner was up for Music in a Television Production, but that honor went to The Fairly OddParents

Check out the complete list of winners at annieawards.org

For last week’s episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, it seems from the reader comments to our review that ‘The Mandalore Plot’ is really ‘We Demand-more Plot’ or more something. Here’s what other online reviewers have to say:

• The Star Wars Prequel Appreciation Society picks up on the Obi-wan/Satine rawr moments, and points out that Vizsla comes from the Cobra school of villainy.
• Television Zombies gives it 4 out of 5 sabers, liking sort of flirty Obi-wan, and makes a BSG reference but doesn’t acknowledge the EU revision.
• TheForce.net liked having all the new elements: new world, new conflict, new characters, and especially the dynamic between Satine and Obi-wan, but has some nitpicks about the Duchess, and discusses a lot of Mando continuity issues.
• MTV Movies Blog’s reviewer called it an “entertaining piece of fiction” that brought a smile to his face, even with the heavy changes to the EU.
• Dauntless Media gives it a B, liking the exceptional visuals, but feeling the plot a bit questionable and poorly paced.
• Big Shiny Robot liked it but found the ending lacking, and points out the EU shockwaves – prompting a reader to leave an rambling comment.
• Pendragon’s Post points out the coolness of seeing Mandos in action but also picks up on the racial disparity between the Fetts and the ‘Plot’ Mandos.

We’ll see how Obi-wan and the woman he once loved fare in the continuing storyline, in tonight’s ‘Voyage of Temptation,’ when Anakin learns that his mentor has a love life. On the official site, series writer Henry Gilroy looks at Obi-Wan, Satine, Jedi romance, and differing ideals. Meanwhile, Dave Filoni talks to the Insider about bringing in the Mandalorians. Seriously, shouldn’t ‘Voyage of Temptation’ that be the title of a FOX or VH1 reality show on a cruise ship?

Yoda once told Luke Skywalker that you have to unlearn what you have learned. Certainly true in order to enjoy last week’s episode of The Clone Wars, ‘The Mandalore Plot’. Even knowing it was coming from Karen Traviss’ departure from the EU last summer, the modern history of the Mandalorian people took an abrupt revision. My first viewing of the episode left me focusing more on picking out what had been kept and tossed from previous continuity than on the actual story. But after letting it all go, I watched it again to see what was actually there. (more…)

The press release has been issued, and Star Wars has claimed the top spots for licensed and boy toys.

With the franchise really pushing the kid market lately (Thanks, Clone Wars!) it’s only natural that the Star Wars Happy Meals are coming back. The look here isn’t all that far off from the last round, but at least there are far less of them this time.

The episode, Dave Filoni’s commentary, and a look at the Mando character design with Kilian Plunkett are all available for your consumption.

Not only do we have Stooge’s guest review of last week’s Star Wars – The Clone Wars episode, ‘Lightsaber Lost’, other reviews of the Ahsoka-centric episode have been found, with a little of Master’s Sinube’s patient detective work:

• Big Shiny Robot points out that the episode is an homage to the Akira Kurosawa noir film, Stray Dog, and despite simplifying the original plot, is still a fun episode with well-done action and suspense.
• TheForce.Net called it ‘really excellent’ for both story and message, and loved the visuals of Coruscant.
• Television Zombies gives it 4 out 5 sabers, liking the new characters, and good intention, but felt it lacked vibrancy.
• Galactic Binder points out some plausibility issues (like Ahsoka not using a Force grab to get her saber back), but likes the new characters.
• IGN felt that it lacked the spark of other recent episodes, but was still strong enough to warrant a 7.5, with a stronger second half to it.
• MTV’s movie blog calls it a good one, with great action and a few pleasant surprises.

Two of the most anticipated/controversial aspects of the second season begin tonight, bringing along some star power… And a few Moulin Rogue jokes.