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Star Wars: The Clone Wars - 2008 Movie

I first want to say, regardless of the naysayers, I actually liked the movie. Unlike trying to start The Clone Wars series, which I have done three times, I had no issues getting into this one.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) is the story of the Jedi helping Jabba retrieve his son so that the Jedi Order can have the use of the hyperspace lines through Jabba's territory. This will allow the Republic access to their clones and allow them to continue the fight against the Separatists.

Opening Dialogue:
A galaxy divided. Striking swiftly after the Battle of Geonosis, Count Dooku’s droid army has seized control of the major hyperspace lines, separating the Republic from the majority of its clone army. With few clones available, the Jedi Generals cannot gain a foothold in the Outer Rim, as more and more planets choose to join Dooku’s Separatists. While the Jedi are occupied fighting a war, no-one is left to keep the peace. Chaos and crime spread and the innocent become victims in a lawless galaxy. Crime lord Jabba the Hutt’s son has been kidnapped by a rival band of pirates. Desperate to save his son, Jabba puts out a call for help. A call the Jedi are cautious to answer.

So what did we learn (with a side of commentary):

  • Anakin and Obi-Wan are fighting the separatists
  • Ahsoka is introduced as a Padawan to Anakin, even though he doesn’t want a Padawan
  • After explaining to Rex who Ahsoka is, she calls Anakin sky guy (which Rex enjoys) and then Anakin says don’t get snippy. 
    • Ahsoka’s new nickname – Snips
    • Anakin’s new nickname – Sky guy 
    • I was curious about how the nicknames came to be
  • Ahsoka is a bit overzealous, much to her determent. She is young though.
  • Rex seems to have taken a liking to Ahsoka
  • Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka are to rescue Jabba’s son (Jabba has a son?!?!) to negotiate a treaty for access to safe passage through Jabba’s territory
  • The droid army is not comprised of the smartest droids
    • “Roger, roger”
  • Who is Asajj Ventress? She’s working with Dooku
    • She uses the force, is she an apprentice to Dooku?
    • Ahhh she’s Dooku’s assassin
  • Are the clones trained in the way of the Mandalorian?
    • No answer in this movie, but if I recall it might be answered in the prequel trilogy
  • Rolling death balls? Hahaha, could have a better name, but that’s funny
  • God damned Jawa’s
  • Zero the Hutt? Master of the Hutt clan on 7 systems? 
    • Ahh…Jabba’s Uncle.
      • Uncle?? She's a she. Confused, I am.
      • Is the Hutt species hermaphroditic?
    • Oh no, she was a helper in the kidnapping Jabba’s son.
    • Ahh, so she can take control of all the Hutt clans.
  • IG-11?? I only know those from The Mandalorian, so I could be wrong. But looks similar
  • Padme saves the day and the Jedi saved the Huttling and Palpatine and Dooku are…biding their time???
It was a fun movie. I think next time I will time stamp my comments/notes. I found it fun to take the notes while watching the movie. Several times I would type out a question only to have it answered a bit later in the dialogue. 

Next up is either the Thrawn Trilogy or Clone Wars the show. Started reading Heir to the Empire but only made it about three pages in before I switched to this movie. Also thinking of doing this for the Original Trilogy and the Prequel Trilogy. Not going to do the Sequel Trilogy as I have a feeling that may be wiped out of canon soon.

'Til next time - Krys
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Book: "Ahsoka" by E.K. Johnston

So I was looking for stuff to read, after finding out the Thrawn trilogy had a couple months hold, I stumbled upon this book and snatched it up. Probably not the best book to start off with, but I have done enough reading on the wiki to get a small foothold on what is going on. 

Things I have learned as I am typing this up: learn to highlight and make better notes, lol. My style will improve as I continue with this, of that I am sure. And that I don't want to do full book or show reviews, but to gather new information that may be important to the lore of the SW Universe. But lets dive in.

"Ahsoka" was written by E.K. Johnston and released in 2016. It takes place after Order 66, around one year post Empire creation. Ahsoka is struggling with her departure from the Jedi Order and Rex, and how to survive under cover for a while.  The book explores her struggles and eventual "coming to terms" with her recent past as she moves on and joins the Rebellion.

What we learned:
  1. Ahsoka
    1. Race: Togruta
    2. Hid under the pseudonym Ashla
      1. Planet Thabeska
        1. Fardis daughter is force sensitive
      2. Moon Raada
    3. Ran mission's with the Fardis on Thabeska
      1. Ran side missions helping others
      2. Which led to her running into Bail Organa
    4. Inadvertently helped start a rebellion on Raada against the Empire
      1. She was helping, but the people of Raada didn't fully trust her, so they struck out on their own.
      2. She leaves after exposing her ability to use the Force, hoping it would save the group of friends on Raada
    5. She returned to Raada to save the population
      1. Kills an Inquisitor (the Sixth Brother)
        1. This is how she gets her white lightsabers
    6. Once, with Bail's help, they save the survivors of Raada, she joins the Rebellion as Fulcrum
    7. Ahsoka will help people at every opportunity. 
It was a good book. I like how it explored a sort of survivors guilt that Ahsoka felt after Order 66 and how she overcame that feeling. It showed that she wants to help as much as she can. For example, while running the Fardis missions, she started her own side missions helping those that called out. It also showed how well she could keep herself hidden without the use of the Force. Very interesting juxtaposition as the Force is an integral piece of her being.

Having read this, I really need to start watching The Clone Wars to really get a feel for Ahsoka. Again, I feel this was probably a bad place to start. Maybe I will re-visit this after The Clone Wars. With that being said, I will be starting those next. I don't know how many episodes will be per post, as I don't want these to be extremely long. And remember, it's not a review so much as a fact finding mission.

Next time.









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A Long Time Ago......

When I was a kid, I absolutely loved Star Wars (you know, the original trilogy). I watched them so much, I wore out two sets of VHS tapes. Could quote them word for word. And then when I was older, the prequel trilogy came out, and I was like "YES!" and then I watched them and I was like "Aww damn". I lost my love. I mean, I still loved the OT, but it wasn't like when I was a kid. Then a few years back the sequel trilogy came out. I, again, was like "YES!" and I walked out of the episode seven thinking I had just watched a remake of episode four. To say I was sad was an understatement. I had so much love (I keep using that word, sorry) for the OT and the thoughts with what this trilogy could have been. I mean, all the advancements that were made in movie making and CGI, and storytelling (looking at the MCU on this one). Maybe I had set my hopes too high. Then I forced myself to watch episode 8. I felt appalled by a few of the scenes. It could have been me, but I thought that sections of the movie were forced (no pun intended) and that the flow was off.

Then there was a trailer for a new show on Disney+. Now, originally, I subscribed to Disney+ for the MCU content that was to come. Not even a thought about Star Wars, until this trailer. You see, I never consumed any book or comic media from Star Wars, just the movies. And this trailer intrigued me. I knew a little bit about Mandalorians (via Boba Fett), but not enough. But, why the hell not, lets check this out. HOLY SHIT! I was blown away. Consumed, I was by this show. I watched each episode so many times. I couldn't get enough. 

Then Episode Nine. I liked Episode Nine. It was non-stop, it was the first movie in 20 years that I didn't get up in the middle of it to go to the bathroom. It didn't feel like 2 1/2 hours. I know they were squeezing a lot into it trying to merge it all together. And while I didn't fully agree with the full plot, I felt they did well. 

It still wasn't enough to spark my full interest. Episode Nine came out around the time Mando season one was ending. It did spark enough to do some reading on the Wookieepedia. I had to figure out what the dark saber was, so I fell down a path reading about Bo Katan, Sabine, and Ahsoka Tano. So when season two of Mando came out, I had a little bit of background. And then it happened. Episode 5. I knew just enough about Ahsoka to understand. But seeing the light sabers, and the force in use, and just her. I fell head over heels in love with Ahsoka Tano. Absolutely gobsmacked. 

And now, I need to know all the things. Especially with everything that was announced this week with Disney's Investors Day. So with that in mind, I will be starting a journey. I know there is already so much information out there, but I thought it would be interesting to share my journey through learning the Star Wars Universe, and maybe get some discussions going.

I have a list going of things to watch, read, and consume. I just finished reading the book "Ahsoka" by E.K. Johnston, so that is where I will start. Next time.



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