"Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith" Rises on the Foundations of Animation
The animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2014, with a final season in 2020) significantly enriched the Star Wars prequel era, bridging and expanding the narrative between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. This long-form animated series offered fans deeper emotional investment in characters and events, presenting key backstories and lore that make the prequel narrative more compelling.
The series, created by Dave Filoni and produced with George Lucas' direct involvement, built upon the foundation laid by Genndy Tartakovsky's earlier animated microseries (2003-2005). Tartakovsky's Clone Wars featured ultra-competent heroes and villains, often without dialogue, and had gorgeous imagery. It helped maintain fan interest during the gap before Revenge of the Sith, providing early animated context to the Clone Wars conflict with stylistic, fast-paced storytelling.
One of the series' most significant contributions was the introduction of the character Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker's Jedi apprentice. Ahsoka evolved throughout the series, providing a fresh perspective on the Clone Wars and offering a compelling counterpoint to Anakin's fall to the dark side. The final season of the 2008 series explained how Ahsoka and other characters got to where we first see them in the subsequent series Star Wars Rebels.
Another notable aspect of the series was its exploration of crucial plot points leading up to and including Order 66, the turning point where clones betray and attack the Jedi. This exploration highlighted the implanted inhibitor chips controlling the clones and exposed the tragic betrayal at the heart of Revenge of the Sith.
The series also resurrected Darth Maul with a compelling arc extending beyond his presumed death after The Phantom Menace. This return, portrayed by voice actor Sam Witwer, became iconic within Star Wars lore and impacts ongoing and future narratives.
Overall, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is widely regarded as one of the best components of the Star Wars franchise, enhancing the reception of the prequel trilogy by addressing its criticisms—bringing emotional depth, complex character arcs, and expanded lore critical to understanding and appreciating Revenge of the Sith and the larger saga. Its impact persists with future projects continuing storylines introduced by the series.
Gizmodo hailed Star Wars: The Clone Wars as a significant addition to the Star Wars franchise, further enriching the prequel era with its delve into future events like Order 66 and the return of Darth Maul. On io9, discussions often revolve around the series' compelling character arcs, such as Ahsoka Tano, that contribute to the entertainment value of movies-and-tv in the expanded Star Wars universe. The series' narrative also shapes the entertainment landscape, paving the way for subsequent projects like Star Wars Rebels and setting up plot points that continue to impact the saga's future technology and stories.
