Star Wars: Clone Wars, Volume One

Star Wars fans curious about those Clone Wars we've been hearing about since Luke Skywalker was a farm boy will surely want to check this out, because here they are, in all their stuff-blowin'-up-real-good glory. Cartoon Network dropped a collection of 19 three-minute and one five-minute chapters into their programming in Fall 2003 and Spring 2004, combined here into one short film that fills the void between Episode II--Attack of the Clones, and the upcoming Episode III--Revenge of the Sith. Padmé Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Yoda...the whole prequel gang is here, courtesy of the simple but superstylish graphic design of acclaimed animation director Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack, Dexter's Laboratory). Star Wars: Clone Wars, Vol. One features way more action than character, and it's surprisingly gross and funny in spots (though this is aimed at adolescent boys, so perhaps "gross and funny" isn't so surprising after all). The DVD extras here are almost as geekily drool-inducing as the feature: an Xbox playable game level of Star Wars: Republic Commando, an interview with George Lucas in which he talks about how this animated series connects with Episode III--Revenge of the Sith (and a teaser trailer for same), and more. Recommended. Aud: P. (M. Johanson)