Author: jawajames

San Diego-based Jawa.
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All aboard the ‘Voyage of Temptation’

Always start your voyage with a jaunty hat.

Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip
That started from a Mando port aboard this upright ship.
The clones were a mighty fighting men, the Jedi brave as bros.
Five passengers set sail that day
For a half hour show, a half hour show.

We interrupt this theme song parody for some reviews of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars episode, ‘Voyage of Temptation’. Song will continue after these important messages:

  • IGN gives it a 9.1, with high marks for developing Obi-wan’s character as someone who chose one path, but felt some remorse, and the horror of the spider droids.
  • Big Shiny Robot liked Obi-wan’s backstory, and how it fit with Attack of the Clones, and was pleased with the super battle droid boarding action.
  • Prequel Appreciation Society called ‘Voyage’ amusing and entertaining, and likes Anakin’s prodding into Obi/Satine, and ponders on what is and isn’t out of character for Obi-wan Kenobi.
  • TheForce.net ventures to say that TCW is handling love better than the prequels. Although really, all we see is love through the bitterness of remorse. Also examined are the role of the villain Merrik, and nods to the films.
  • MTV Movies Blog points out how Anakin’s action fit into a larger pattern of falling toward the dark side.
  • Pendragon’s Post hails this episode as being The Clone Wars in top form, surpassing the movies in its ability to have dialogue and characters in a love story.
  • Television Zombies gives it 3.5 of 5 sabers, liking the action, but finding it a bit cheesy and pushing the boundaries of a kid’s show.

Continue reading “All aboard the ‘Voyage of Temptation’”

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Reviews of ‘The Mandalore Plot’ a columnist plot?

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?

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The Clone Wars review: ‘The Mandalorian Plot’

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. Continue reading “The Clone Wars review: ‘The Mandalorian Plot’”

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‘Lightsaber Lost’ gets found by reviewers

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.
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Avatar and The Clone Wars: ‘Trespass’

So pretty much the entire world has heard of James Cameron’s monument to 3-D visual effects, Avatar, and quite a few have ended up comparing the story to Dance with Wolves, or The Last Samurai, or other white-guilt storylines. But, really – most of the story elements have been seen in the first season episode ‘Trespass’ in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Continue reading “Avatar and The Clone Wars: ‘Trespass’”

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Sequel rumblings: Indy 5 and Star Trek

While talking to MTV News, Harrsion Ford dished up a little talk about the fifth Indiana Jones film, but doesn’t elaborate much on George Lucas’ “crazy but good” idea for a new adventure, and concedes that his Extraordinary Measures co-star Brendan Fraser would probably have his Rick O’Connell character from The Mummy franchise beat Indiana Jones to the treasure nowadays.

Variety reports that Paramount released that the next Star Trek film will have its release on June 29, 2012. While J. J. Abrams will be producing, no word yet on whether he will be directing, or just adding lens flare effects. John Cho reports to IGN Movies that he’s hoping for some Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan in the sequel, which could either be Star Trek 2, or Star Trek 12 depending on how you count. Meanwhile SciFiWire finds some Trek fans in Seattle use body paint to make Trek uniforms (warning: NSFW). Maybe they could wear some Star Trek wetsuits.

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‘The Deserter’ is a scrumptious dessert!

Don't make him release the Kraken.

The second episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars last week, ‘The Deserter’, about Rex’s discovery of a clone deserter-turned-father while Obi-wan and Cody try to apprehend a crash-landed Grievous, turned out to give the fans something to enjoy:

  • TheForce.Net thought ‘The Deserter’ truly shined, with its philosophical debate, domestic scenes, and zombie-like feel to the final battle at the farmhouse.
  • Pendragon’s Post calls it solid, and likes getting into the psychology of clones.
  • IGN gives it an 8, but wishes that the Grievous/Obi-wan plot had been lessened, as well as the cuteness of those Twi’lek kids.
  • Big Shiny Robot loved the final battle at the farmhouse, being reminded of the end of L.A. Confidential, and can’t get enough of those commando droids.
  • Galactic Binder sees a “well executed storyline” and looks at Rex’s growth as he sees different notions of bravery.
  • Broken Frontier thinks ‘Grievous Intrigue’ to be more entertaining, but ‘The Deserter’ to end up as one of the better dialogue-focused episodes.

Check back in a few for my review!

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The Clone Wars review: ‘Grievous Intrigue’

General Grievous finally makes his Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 2 grand entrance after lurking in the shadows last fall. In the first season, Grievous mostly came out as a mustache-twirling villain whose sinister plots would be undone by the Jedi and the ineptitude of his own droids, and the hacking cyborg would escape at the last second to try another dastardly plot. In ‘Grievous Intrigue’ he again shows his ability to cook up a caper, but this time, we see a glimmer of purpose behind the mask. Continue reading “The Clone Wars review: ‘Grievous Intrigue’”

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Reviewers intrigued by ‘Grievous Intrigue’?

Give Greevy his cuddles or the Jedi gets it!

General Grievous tried to trap some Jedi in ‘Grievous Intrigue’, but they managed to escape again – let’s see how he fared in trapping the viewers of Star Wars: The Clone Wars:

  • IGN liked the more complex nature of Grievous shown here, and gave it a 9 out of 10.
  • TheForce.Net enjoyed the Obi-wan/Grievous rivalry and the spectacular lightsaber duels.
  • SWCloneWarsReviews gave it 3/5 stars, calling it fun and enjoyable, but pointing out almost some boredom with Grievous-style lightsaber combat and the lack of tension caused by “we know these people all survive to Episode III” syndrome.
  • Dauntless Media liked the kinetic, intense action, and calling the episode a visual feast, but without depth — and the episode being poorly named.
  • Big Shiny Robot loved the commando droids and calls the episode “preposterously well animated action.”

And don’t forget to check back later today for my review!