Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Complete Season One (2009)

2 Discs Blu-ray

Last summer there was much talk of the Star Wars: Clone Wars theatrical film, that was said to essentially be a big-screen pilot to this animated TV series. The film failed, inciting the ire of many a fanboy that I know, but with this actual first season set, chocked full of 22 wonderful episodes, I have to wonder why LucasFilm even brought the film to the first place when it works just fine in this format.

This three-disc set features all of the 22 first-season episodes in glorious 1080p, and they are quite a sight to behold. The series takes place directly after the events from the film Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and takes us into the actual clone wars that were first mentioned way back in 1977 with the first Star Wars film. While we do see some familiar characters in animated form like Anikan Skywalker, Mace Windu and, of course, Yoda, we're introduced to some new faces as well. Skywalker is now a full-fledged, card-carrying Jedi Knight and, as most Jedi's have, young Skywalker has an apprentice in Ahsoka Tano, and this relationship is a pivotal one in this first season, as we see the ups and downs between master and apprentice throughout this first season.

The storylines and the visuals seem to improve with each episode, and it seems that perhaps many a lessons were learned from their failed Clone Wars film that were applied to this series. We are treated to a host of new and intriguing characters inside this wonderful universe, and one of the best new additions is that of the bounty hunter Cad Bane, and what's most intriguing about him is he is a true bounty hunter, with ties to neither the Alliance or "the dark side" and his character is truly one of the bright spots in Season One. Hopefully we get a lot more of him in Season Two as well. While the apprentice Ahsoka Tano doesn't get off to the best start, as she can be fairly annoying, like most of the other aspects of the series, the character grows and gets better with time and by the end of the season you will be wanting more of Tano as well. Sadly, we do see Jar-Jar Binks return though.... Hey, nobody's perfect, but with the incredibly negative outcry that fans displayed after The Phantom Menace film, it's kind of surprising they'd make the choice to insert him in here, especially since he really serves no purpose in any of the films, except to annoy you.

For those who were disappointed with the Clone Wars feature film, it'd almost be a crime to let that theatrical setback keep you from checking out this DVD and tuning in next season, because it definitely does redeem itself with this entertaining first season.

All we get here are some Jedi Temple Archives. I was kind of expecting to see more on the bonus features side, given the popularity of the franchise as a whole, but maybe they'll give us more with the second season. These Archives are present on each episode of the season and it takes you deeper into the production with a gallery of storyboard images, animatics and even interviews with the creative team of the series. These Archives are spread out throughout this three-disc set and it's quite an interesting little tour that they have set up for the season.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars definitely improves on the failure that was the theatrical film/pilot and it makes me wonder why they even went the theatrical route when these episodes are so effective in smaller doses.