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Category:    Home > Reviews > Space Opera > Science Fiction > Fantasy > Computer CG Animation > Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Lost Missions (2014/LucasFilm/Disney Blu-ray)

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:

  • Clone Wars Declassified Documentary

    • A 'making of' featurette that is only 16 minutes long as it chronicles how The Clone Wars came to be.

  • Story Reels

    • Here are the 4 'rough' unfinished episodes (91 minutes) that are pretty solid in storytelling ability, but hard to sit through from a visual standpoint.





    - Michael P. Dougherty II


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