KOOL TV REVIEW: 'STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS' - THE COMPLETE SEASON FOUR BLU-RAY BOX SET

Back from the dead, Darth Maul returns to cause havoc within the STAR WARS universe, in THE CLONE WARS Season Four, out now on Blu-ray and DVD. Images: LUCASFILM ANIMATION/WARNER BROTHERS.

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS – THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON

Created and Executive Produced by George Lucas

Available on Blu-ray (3 disc set) and DVD (5 disc set) from LUCASFILM ANIMATION/WARNER BROTHERS

Reviewed by Scott Weller

After a previous creatively uneven year, the fourth season of THE CLONE WARS, now available on stunning high definition Blu-ray and DVD from LUCASFILM ANIMATION/WARNER BROTHERS, is a more dramatic, more adult and more animation sophisticated confection than we’ve seen before. It may not be as much fun as its genesis years of 2008-2010, as the series shifts into high-gear darkness more akin to the Vader-is-born finale of the live-action Prequels, but it’s a 22 episode evolving and refined trip that’s well worth taking. The sturdy and zippy single episodes of the past are mostly abandoned this time around in order to tell bigger, longer running stories (that also make more out of the shows modest production budget) within five main arcs that really stretch out and diversify the established characters and diverse environs: the spectacular, action-packed epic water war set on the planet of Mon Cala, as Anakin, Padme Amidala and classic series veteran Admiral (“It’s a Trap!”) Ackbar, trying to stop the Separatist armies from gaining a foothold, or should that be flipper?, over the strategically important world’s new young King, the Umbara arc-some of the most dramatic and atmospheric war storytelling yet as the Clone Troopers of the 501^st, later Darth Vader’s prime execution squad, led by Captain Rex, take on a deranged Jedi General- the fierce multi-limbed General Pong Krell, the Zygerrian slavers arc, where Anakin must confront the dark nature of his troubled past in order to defeat the return of a once vast slavers empire, and the fun and diverse planet-hopping, Obi-Wan/Bounty Hunters arc, where our noble Jedi with a disdain for the uncivilised must infiltrate an elite and lethal cadre of hired talents, including the nefarious Cad Bane, to stop an assassination plot on Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. Last but not least, probably the least successful of the arcs in my honest opinion, is the re-emergence of Darth Maul, which sees the legendary Sith Lord, a fan favourite last seen decapitated in the live-action EPISODE I, now very much alive, totally insane and spider-legged limbed, wanting revenge against both the Jedi and his once Sith Master who seemingly abandoned him: Darth Sidious (voiced by the late Ian Abercrombie, doing double duties with Palpatine). Of all the storylines this year Maul’s was the only one that seemed the most forced and commercialistic, with Filoni and his team successfully, if implausibly, bringing the horny little devil back on Uncle George’s orders, but with no proper, rational explanation given of how he survived being cut in half and how he ended up at the bottom of a junk yard on a far-off world. Overall, fans worldwide have embraced Maul’s return, and now that’s he established back in the show his personal arc will surely get better, but I personally think the series didn’t need him back at all- that it would have gotten along fine enough with just Maul’s lethal and equally powerful and threatening force brother-the Frankenstein’s Monster-esque Savage Opress.

Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker fight the Separatists in Shadow Warrior.

Blu-ray/ DVD trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtxuAre5qLI

Check out STAR WARS AFICIONADO’s Top Five Season Four episodes here: http://starwarsaficionado.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/THE CLONE WARS SEASON FOUR?updated-max=2012-10-23T12:17:00%2B01:00&max-results=20&start=4&by-date=false

Spectacular underwater action ensues in the epic Water War saga which opens the season. 

Not totally extinct from the series, the single episode stories of Season Four are a mixed bag, with the return of the outlawed Mandalorian Death Watch (and their first female warrior, Bo Katan, voiced by sexy BATTLESTAR GALACTICA veteran Katee Sackhoff) in A Friend in Need, causing Genghis Khan and his hordes type havoc against Ahsoka and her fugitive boyfriend, Lux Bonteri, cyborg general General Grievous gets his ass kicked by the floppy eared Jar Jar Binks and the Gungans in early and controversial episode Shadow Warrior, Asajj Ventress, now an outcast bounty hunter with the death of her people in the creepy and enjoyable Massacre, gets some fun action in and out of  a speeding underground bullet train in Bounty(featuring an ill-conceived and truly hypocritical voice performance from Prequel hater Simon Pegg as classic villain Dengar), whilst lovable icon droids Artoo Detoo and See-Threepio partake in some bizarre but enjoyably harmless fantasy in two offbeat episodes clearly designed for the youngsters to delight in, between bouts of intense drama and death. On a sour note, though, still no individual stories for Mace Windu or Yoda. What’s going on???

A ruthless Jedi General makes life hell for the Clone Troopers in the four-part Umbara arc.

Four key episodes of the season (The Carnage of Krell, Escape from Kadavo, Massacre andBounty) come in director’s cuts (but watching them its difficult to see what exactly has been added/deleted to them-they come in at pretty much the same running times as the original episodes IMO), though the Maul episodes director’s cuts are noticeable by their absence-saved for the recent US only single disc release of the story as a feature-length entity.

A group of Bounty Hunters undergo the ultimate test inside The Box.

Best watched in the Blu-ray format, where the hard work of the animation team is really showcased, there’s the kind of classic and inventive fast paced storytelling and action you expect from STAR WARS with the high calibre of its behind the scenes team, led by Supervising Director Dave Filoni and George Lucas as Executive Producer, plus its aforementioned incredible locales (new stands outs like Umbara and Zygerria, as well as return visits to worlds like Naboo, Coruscant and Nal Hutta) beautifully realised with some of the most gorgeous state of the art animation yet seen on TV. Let’s also not forget the great voice acting from a fine series of regulars who have made the famous character roles their own in this specialised medium, particularly the core Jedi trio of Matt Lanter as Anakin Skywalker, James Arnold Taylor as Obi-Wan and Ashley Eckstein as Padawan Ahsoka Tano.

Lovable duo See-Threepio and Artoo Detoo are unwittingly caught up in the action once again in Nomad Droids.

As always the special features accompanying these season sets are still not as comprehensible as fans would like them to be, but there’s enough to enjoy and discover. The Blu-ray and DVDs contain five great behind the scenes video commentaries on the story arcs, from Filoni, a perfect host, enthusiastic STAR WARS fan and splendid choice of overall animation leader for the series, with a core group of behind the scenes veterans including Joel Aron, Killian Plunkett and Keith Kellogg. As well as showing their own personal friendships and humorous banter, the teaming’s provide a wealth of interesting information on how the shows and storylines/characters were developed, what things were planned for but dropped, key things/little Easter eggs to watch out for in the episodes and a verbal sneak peek from a teasing Filoni of things to come in later CLONE WARS episodes (like a desert planet environment involving Captain Wolf and his Clone Troopers).

Jar Jar Binks (right) goes undercover in Shadow Warrior.

Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaaTo4EoBuY&feature=plcp

On the Zygerrian story, there’s the welcome presence on the viewing couch of writer Henry Gilroy, back on the series to adapt his popular THE CLONE WARS comic from DARK HORSE to animated reality, providing some intriguing anecdotes. For Maul’s return, the flavor is a little different, as the behind the scenes give way to Filoni with writer Katie Lucas, Maul vocal actor Sam Witwer and Obi-Wan actor James Arnold Taylor. Things feel a but less fun here, but some interesting material from Lucas and Witwer is revealed nonetheless about writing for Asajj Ventress and the playing of the new Maul. Fan favourite Taylor clearly enjoys his work on the show and the return of Obi-Wan’s greatest antagonist.

Jedi Padawan's Ahsoka Tano and Barriss Offee gets some space battle action in Darkness on Umbara.

Not on the DVD, the Blu-ray has further noteworthy material in it’s Jedi Holocron area, delving deep into the behind the scenes canvas of the series, with lots of deleted scene (mostly of the animatic kind (check out a sequence here: http://www.sfx.co.uk/2012/10/18/clone-wars-season-4-deleted-scene/), including a different ending to the episode Escape from Kadavo, plus a few completed animation pieces), animatic and final episode comparisons, 3-D character turnarounds, occasional snippets from the voice cast who talk about their involvement in selected episodes (notably Dee Bradley Baker, who voices the many Clone Troopers) and lots of great conceptual artwork.

Evenly matched? Obi-Wan and Asajj Ventress fight Darth Maul and Savage Opress in Revenge.

A minor complaint to the Blu-ray release is that the box sets seem to be getting cheaper looking and produced each year. The inside plastic disc holders will prove breakable over time, and should have been in more sturdy, attractive packaging. Apart from an inside sleeve wrap, there’s also no deserving booklet/guide to the series and no Bounty Hunter poster with the UK release. What happened there, LUCASFILM/WARNERS?

STAR WARS AFICIONADO RATING: A solid and spectacular animated hit once more worthy of the STAR WARS reputation. Season Four overall storytelling: 3.5 out of 5. Disc extras 3.5 out of 5

Get STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS – THE COMPLETE SEASON FOUR on Blu-ray here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0093PKBMA/ref=s9_simh_gw_p74_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0XSRCMP6NCT2080YVE8Z&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=317828027&pf_rd_i=468294

On DVD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Clone-Season-DVD/dp/B0093PKJZ4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351348266&sr=8-2

THE COMPLETE SEASONS ONE TO FOUR available on Blu-ray here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Clone-Season-Blu-ray/dp/B005YYCLHW/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1351348277&sr=8-8

On DVD here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Clone-Season-1-4/dp/B005YYCLEK/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1351348298&sr=8-18

KOOL TV BABE OF THE WEEK: 'THE CLONE WARS' CATHERINE TABER

First Lady of animated STAR WARS: the lovely Catherine Taber. Image: Catherine Taber.

Making a fine addition to the growing pantheon of feisty and female icons born in the STAR WARS universe, first started off and defined by quirky and charming Carrie Fisher as dedicated, blaster firing Rebel Leader Princess Leia Organa in the original Classic Trilogy, followed by beautiful Natalie Portman as Queen turned senator turned child bearer to the Skywalker dynasty, Padme Amidala, in the later under-rated Prequel Trilogy, we now have the lovely American actress Catherine Taber continuing the worthy tradition in her popular voice role of Senator Amidala in the hit STAR WARS animated series set between the cataclysmic events of EPISODEs II and III: THE CLONE WARS, returning to the US CARTOON NETWORK channel for a new fifth season run of 22 epic looking episodes starting from tomorrow morning.

Taber adds sincerity and determination to the continuing role of Padme Amidala in THE CLONE WARS. Images: LUCASFILM ANIMATION.

At first it must have been a little daunting taking over the acting reins of a character so popular as Padme, and an actress on the rise as Portman has been in the last five years, but Miss Taber, a rising talent herself, who jumped to early recognition from industry critics in the coming of age drama THE GIRL'S ROOM, and a successful and noteworthy voice artist on numerous States-side animated series,  would quickly bring her own unique qualities and interpretation to the role, building, sometimes improving, on what was previously established by Portman in the live action realm, backed up with strong and memorable story lines from a core group of LUCASFILM productions writers that have often given the character lots of scope in and out of the political arena of which her character thrives on the Republic centre world of Coruscant. In her relationship to her work and trying to saving the galaxy from the continued civil war, and with her secret and forbidden marriage to Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker often beleaguered, Padme Amidala truly is both a fighter and a lover in equal measure and a strong role model for female fans of George Lucas's hit saga...

Amidala with comedy veterans See-Threepio and Jar Jar Binks in the episode Jedi Bombad.

And fighting alongside her husband, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker.

A dedicated STAR WARS fan since childhood, of which she has contributed to several other projects beyond THE CLONE WARS (including video games and the upcoming children's STAR WARS comedy series from Seth Green: DETOURS), as well as a warm and welcome figure at numerous official LUCASFILM organised conventions, Georgia born Miss Taber certainly has a bright future beyond a Galaxy Far, Far, Away...

The lovely Catherine Taber. Image: Catherine Taber.

Check out Miss Taber's FACEBOOK page and the good causes she supports: Catherine Taber Fan Page

Follow her on TWITTER: catherine taber (cattaber) on Twitter

Check out the STAR WARS AFICIONADO website's massive coverage of the new Season Five of THE CLONE WARS here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO MAGAZINE: THE CLONE WARS SEASON FIVE

Season Four of THE CLONE WARS is coming to Blu-ray and DVD from October from LUCASFILM/WARNER BROTHERS. Get it here:
Star Wars Clone Wars - Season 4 Blu-ray Region Free: Amazon.co.uk: Film & TV

YEAR OF HELL! 'THE CLONE WARS' SEASON FOUR CONCLUDES...

Back from the dead? The evil Darth Maul returns in STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS. Images: LUCASFILM/CARTOON NETWORK.

The curtain of darkness begins to pull itself ever tighter around our freedom fighting Jedi and Clone Trooper heroes as the fourth series of the hit George Lucas produced, US CARTOON NETWORK showing THE CLONE WARS series approaches the home straight for its final collection of episodes. And a stunning batch they surely look, too. We've already had incredible strides in animation and storytelling this year with some superbly ambitious and thoroughly entertaining multi-part storylines, made in the best STAR WARS tradition by Animation Director Dave Filoni and his team, including the Kadavo Slaves arc, which saw Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano suffer badly against the whips of the Zyggerian Trade Slavers and their Queen in their bold mission to free captured slaves from Kiros, and the Battle for Umbara, which saw the Clint Eastwood-esque Captain Rex and his men going down a dark path as they take on a corrupted Jedi Master on a planet swathed in darkness. In this final eventful batch, getting ever closer to the final evil witnessed in the movie EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH, the stakes are raised to the Nth Degree, with STAR WARS meeting PRISON BREAK for four daring adventurous episodes, as Obi-Wan goes undercover, and becomes bald in the process!, to infiltrate a massive prisoner escape of bounty hunters orchestrated behind the scenes by the evil Sith Lord Count Dooku. There's also a new plot to kidnap galactic leader Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (voiced by the late British actor Ian Abercrombie, who sadly passed away this week) on his home plane of Naboo-the lush fairy-tale like world of palaces and hills seen in EPISODE ONE: THE PHANTOM MENACE (now back in cinemas for the next generation of families to experience, and in 3D!), plus the return of the Prequel Trilogy's most popular and thoroughly aggressive baddie from Dathomir, the horned devil-like Darth Maul, who seemingly escaped prior decapitated death at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber in PHANTOM (we can't wait to see how that happened!) and has returned to wreak his own personal brand of havoc on the Jedi, alongside his newly re-united brother, the equally fierce and battle bloodthirsty Savage Opress (once more voiced by Clancy Brown).

Check out the ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY video preview of Maul's return:'Star Wars: The Clone Wars': Darth Maul | Inside TV | EW.com

A bald Obi-Wan, undercover against the evil Cad Bane, in Friends & Enemies.

Pariah Sith assassin Asajj Ventress takes on the fearsome General Grievous.

In enemy sights: Obi-Wan is the target of an assassin in Deception.

Jedi hero Anakin Skywalker mourns the death of a mentor in Deception.

Along the way, watch out for returning old favourites like the crafty bounty hunter Cad Bane, evil droid General Grievous, the pariah Sith apprentice Asajj Ventress, who continues her quest for lightsaber-wielding justice against Count Dooku for betraying her, and her all-female family: the witchcraft/mystical energy using Nightsisters, led by the mysterious, future predicting Mother Talzin. Oh, and there's gonna be a big army of the undead, too!

More dark side villainy comes in the form of the menacing Savage Opress.

Frustratingly, SKY MOVIES in the UK has abandoned THE CLONE WARS this year, and from now on (presumably to save money whilst they buy up pretty much every other major current American series known to mankind!), though it's hoped that, prior to an eventual DVD and Blu-ray release by WARNER BROTHERS later in the year, it may at least appear on the British CARTOON NETWORK by Easter-time.

Seasons One to Three of THE CLONE WARS are available on Blu-ray and DVD from WARNER BROTHERS.

BLASTING BACK! "THE CLONE WARS" SEASON THREE ON BLU-RAY AND DVD

Combat veterans: the ever popular Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano and Yoda in THE CLONE WARS. Image: LUCASFILM ANIMATION/WARNER BROTHERS.

Variety is the spice of life, even within the battle-strewn universe of George Lucas's hit STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS series, whose distinctive animation, exciting storytelling, amazing creatures and innovative action sequences shine at their brightest on Blu-ray and DVD with their new Season Three box set release from WARNER BROTHERS DVD. This episodic series, which shows on the UK/US CARTOON NETWORK, blows every other animated TV series out of the park with its quality imagineering and cinematic renderings, supervised by Lucas and his comrade-in-artistic arms, Dave Filoni, and has gone on to enjoy success and acclaim with audiences worldwide and of all ages.

If you've never seen it before, and you're a STAR WARS fan, it's well worth dipping into. Check out the STAR WARS AFICIONADO website's detailed review of the new box set release, packed with great info and images from some of its most memorable episodes, here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO MAGAZINE: AFICIONADO REVIEW: "THE CLONE WARS" - THE COMPLETE SEASON THREE BOX SET (BLU-RAY)

NOT BEATEN YET! "STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS" SEASON FOUR

Jedi heroes Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano and Obi-Wan Kenobi bravely return for more battles during THE CLONE WARS. All images: LUCASFILM ANIMATION.

Unceremoniously, and quite surprisingly, pulling the rug out from underneath UK STAR WARS fans feet, SKY MOVIES HD recently announced that, after three exclusive and consistently high standard years, they will no longer be showing the superb hit animated series STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, created by George Lucas, whose ambitious, action-packed fourth season recently commenced its new run in the States. Presumably this is down to failed contract/price re-negotiations.

Keeping very mum indeed on this current situation, there's no news yet from any of the main players (WARNER BROTHERS, LUCASFILM, CARTOON NETWORK) as to who in the UK will be taking up the reins in showing the series- if indeed there will be anyone- but KOOL TV will let viewers know anything as soon as it can. Regardless of what happens, fourth season episodes will surely be available in episode batch DVDs and complete series sets on Blu-ray, from WARNER BROTHERS, by October next year. The complete Season Three box set of THE CLONE WARS also arrives on Blu-ray and DVD later in the month.

Check out this great YAHOO! interview with series Animation Director Dave Filoni about the new fourth series here: Supervising Director Dave Filoni Tells Us What to Expect from Season 4 of 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' - Yahoo! TV , a look at the opening episodes via ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY here: Star Wars The Clone Wars season four premiere video | Inside TV | EW.com, as well as this fun behind the scenes look via TIME MAGAZINE KIDS: TFK & Star Wars: The Clone Wars - YouTube

Here's a fun and highly diverse selection of images from the opening episodes to give UK viewers a taster of what we'll hopefully/eventually see on Blighty screens...

Epic battles become even more ambitiously realised this season, as seen in the Year Four opener Water War.

Anakin and Padme go deep into the waters of Mon Calamari to assist Captain Ackbar  fight the Separatists in the episode Water War.

The next JAWS? A distinctive new evil Separatist baddie leads his droid forces into aquatic conflict in Gungan Attack.

Anakin Skywalker triers to stop the villainous Count Dooku's revenge plans towards the peaceful world of Naboo in Shadow Warrior.

Cyborg baddie General Grievous under-estimates the agility's of the Gungans in Shadow Warrior.

Iconic droid heroes C-3P0 and R2-D2 encounter strange new life forms on the disaster struck planet Aleen in Mercy Mission.

Another incredible epic outer atmosphere space battle between the Republic and Separatists will be witnessed in a later episode.

Seasons One and Two of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS are available on DVD and Blu-ray from WARNERS BROTHERS.