Star
Wars: The Clone Wars - The Lost Missions (2014/LucasFilm/Disney
Blu-ray)
Picture:
A- Sound: B Extras: C- Episodes: B
Star
Wars: Clone Wars started out as brilliant animated series drawn
somewhat in the style of that of Samurai Jack.
Volume
One reviewed here on DVD:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/1996/Star+Wars:+Clone+Wars+-+Volume+One+(A
Sadly
that series was short lived and was discontinued in favor of
continuing those Star Wars tales in a CGI animation style.
The initial launch was in the form of a feature film entitled Star
Wars: The Clone Wars; so before we knew it we had an original
animated series, a video game, and a full length film that all had
the same name. Whereas all of the releases followed the same basic
story arch, they varied in style and tone; the best of which being
the original animated series. Sadly (for fans), LucasFilm opted to
go the path of the CGI format and we were delivered a series that
retained the style, light tone, and convoluted storylines of the
three (3) prequels.
The
original animated series aired for 25 chapters starting in 2003
before being canceled in 2005. The CGI Star Wars: Clone Wars
originally aired in October 2008 on Cartoon Network; lasting for 6
seasons before cancelation.
Star
Wars: Clone Wars - The Lost Missions are essentially the final
completed 13 episodes of the series (plus 4 more rough 'unfinished'
story reels) that made up Season Six; never actually airing on
broadcast television. The 13 Lost Mission episodes only
appearing previously on Netflix and the 4 'rough' episodes only
available here on Blu-ray (in the bonus features section).
The
series as a whole has been a mixed bag. We have only reviewed the
original animated series and CGI feature film here previously, but
from personal viewing experience this reviewer can assure viewers
that the series has had many ups and downs. Our review of the
feature (CGI) film can be viewed here:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/7790/Star+Wars+%E2%80%93+The+Clone+Wars+
The
series used a multitude of story arches and characters to propel the
tale of the Clone Wars forward; with many highs and lows, from epic
storytelling to downright silly. This 'mixed bag' of storytelling
ability continued here in the final 13 episodes; with a strong start
and strong end, but pure silliness sandwiched in between. So overall
the fans can look at the episodes as 50/50. The series is at its
best when it manages to humanize the characters and shed light not
only on more mysterious elements of the force, but allow characters'
personalities to shine through. Adding a layer of depth to the
characters (that not even Lucas himself did for the prequel (s) made
fans take to the series, making it a formidable force in the Star
Wars universe.
The
technical features of this new Disney Blu-ray release are nice and
better than with previous releases. The picture is a 1080p, 2.35 X 1
Widescreen that boasts of brilliant colors, inky blacks and a
crisp/clean image; ridding itself of previous issues from the Warner
releases. The sound is a lossy 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound that
whereas not perfect, it does get the job done displaying clear
dialogue, with balanced surrounds. It does lack a solid bass track
and power that should be found in a Star Wars release.
The
extras are weak including only a few sparse features. Extras
include: