Across its forty-plus year lifespan, Star Wars has ventured into just about every medium possible, from live-action television to written comics to video games, and across all of that has ventured into animation features only once. That, of course, being the infamous Clone Wars movie that came before the incredible TV show.
The movie was critically panned and far from loved by audiences. Due to this, the film is hardly one that gets rewatched often, and so there is a lot about the movie that people forget, whether it be in aspects of the movie itself or its production.
Some Prequel Voice Actors Returned
While the TV show was nearly all voice actors who did not appear in the movies, the movie saw numerous voice actors from the prequels reprise their roles.
Samuel L. Jackson returned as Mace Windu, later replaced by Terrence C. Carson, and Christopher Lee dubbed his voice in the movie on top of voice actor Corey Burton, replaced by Burton in the series. Matthew Wood and Anthony Daniels also returned for the film and series, and this being the first occasion Frank Oz does not play Yoda, the honor going to Tom Kane.
First Appearances Of Rex & Ahsoka
Captain Rex and Ahsoka Tano are two of the best Star Wars characters out there and as a pair form one of the best friendships in the franchise's history. As such, it is easy to forget it was born here.
This movie introduces fans to the characters who, through the series, would become incredibly beloved. Their dynamic and friendship kick off here as a starting point for the journey and growth the two would undergo.
How Unlikable Ahsoka Is
Staying with Ahsoka, it got mentioned that she is an unbelievable character, and she is one of the most popular characters in Star Wars history and will continue as such for a long time.
But, in this movie, she is not likable at all. This unlikability has become part of her development in a significant way; however, she is hard to tolerate, to both audiences and Anakin, with her childishness, whininess, and overall annoying nature, akin to an irritating Luke Skywalker.
There Is No Moral
The features that make up a classic Clone Wars intro include Admiral Yularen's introduction, Kevin Kinder's score, and the moral for the episode that always slotted in nicely as a theme for the episode's events.
In the movie, only two of these three features existed, with a moral not given to the film, that starting later with the first episode of the series.
Directed By Dave Filoni
It is easy to assume that, having directed all three episodes of the prequel trilogy, that George Lucas would be the director of The Clone Wars movie, but alas that went to Dave Filoni.
Throughout his run with Lucasfilm, Dave Filoni has become a diety to Star Wars fans with his consistently excellent content as the apprentice to George Lucas. Therefore you would be forgiven for thinking someone else directed this subpar film.
Originally Four Episodes
The movie is supposed to act as an introduction to the series, and as such, was initially thought out as three episodes, with a separate standalone fourth. It is easy to forget this is how the movie began development, but easy to see in the film.
These episodes came together to form the core of the film after initially getting conceived as a trilogy by the names of "Castle Of Deception," "Castle Of Doom," and "Castle Of Salvation." The standalone episode called "The New Padawan" acted as the start of the film when fans get introduced to Ahsoka.
Did Not Open At Number One
Star Wars is a commercial juggernaut and a pop culture phenomenon that, when theatrically released, a billion dollars is seen as disappointing to some.
As such, every film before and after 2008 had opened at number one at the box office. Then came The Clone Wars, which failed to reach this goal, despite being a box office success generally speaking. Even Solo opened at number one.
Not Written By George Lucas
One of the biggest criticisms of the movie is the truly abysmal dialogue. It does not work; it is barely entertaining enough for kids and is overall just poorly done.
It is reminiscent of the dialogue throughout a lot of the prequels. However, it is not written by George Lucas - even if he did have a hand in it all as executive producer. It was instead written by Henry Gilroy, Scott Murphy, and Steven Melching, all of whom wrote on the series.
Jabba's Son Rotta
The central storyline throughout the movie revolves around the kidnapping of Jabba the Hutt's son Rotta the Hutt, a.k.a 'stinky.'
He is easy to remember due to how bad the story and nickname is, but easily forgettable since he only appears in one episode of the series and this singular movie. Many fans will not know Jabba has a son.
Is Not The Chronological Beginning Of The Series
One of the wild choices made by George Lucas in relation to The Clone Wars is the fact it is all out of order. Towards the later seasons, it all falls together chronologically, but the early seasons are a bit crazy.
With this being Ahsoka's introduction, it is easy to believe this is the chronological beginning of the series, but it actually falls after season two episode sixteen, and season one episode sixteen as the third chronological Clone Wars story.