0808 August 2008

It's great fun to return to the Star Wars universe for smaller stories like this. Many may criticize The Clone Wars for having a less epic plot or for its TV budgeted animation. Personally, I've read enough "in-between" Star Wars novels and comics to be open to a movie like this. As for the animation, it was more impressive than I had expected.

As a follow-up to the two seasons of Genndy Tartakovsky's Clone Wars shorts for Cartoon Network, this movie is the opening story in a new CG series. The daring art deco 2D character designs are re-interpreted for 3D in a stunning way. From the footage I had seen in trailers, I was expecting matte textures, but on the big screen, every surface has the texture of paint strokes on clay. In a genre where most productions strive for true realism, this was a bold stylistic choice.

The new character of Ahsoka is an obvious avatar for young audience members, and though her dialogue is perhaps too naive, I didn't find it off-putting. Jabba's fey Cajun uncle was odd, but entertaining. Many of the action scenes (especially the one on the mountain's vertical cliff face) were gripping.

It was satisfying to see several carry-overs from other Star Wars stories, including the back story of the B'omarr Monks, Sith apprentice Ventress, and Christopher Lee reprising his role as Dooku.

Ties up more threads from the series than I expected. Feels a little like a whole season on fast forward, but well done. I wonder-- was this released theatrically overseas? Several elements support this: the style of credits, the changes in make-ups, the exposition. Even Pilot's voice, now deeper in tone, helps a new audience to understand that he is male, not female. A few distracting things though: Chiana was a little "rounder," I couldn't get used to Sekozu's new look, and I think they were trying to hide the fact that a stand-in played Grandma for half her scenes.

I used to be embarrassed that I had never seen Caddyshack. Now I wish I hadn't. Aside from the amusingly vague Chevy Chase and a few Rodney Dangerfield one-liners, I didn't find much to like. While watching, I craved the insanity of better films like Stripes, Fletch, Better Off Dead, and even One Crazy Summer.

One of my favorites of the series, actually superior to the first Friday. The directing here is clever, with humorous match cuts and true suspense.

John Boorman's latest thriller has yet to receive a general release in the States, perhaps because of its Irish setting and political subtext. At times suspenseful, the story also has elements of black comedy and drama. Fears of identity loss and one's own dark side dominate the first half, but are left behind when the movie's villain is made more sympathetic. Gleason is excellent in his two roles, and Kim Cattrall pulled off an Irish accent surprisingly well.

One of the best times at the movies I can remember. Tarantino's film has problems, but it's still worth seeing. I think if he had done a few more drafts, he would have worked out the kinks. Rodriguez' Planet Terror was fantastic, though. The Mrs. Dr. Block is this year's Barbara Crampton.