Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Complete Season One [Blu-ray] [US Import]

Don't bad on me for posting a review before the product is released. Amazon is so bad at informing of bonus features I thought some might want to know what this Blu-Ray (or DVD) set will include.

This is from the press release (which also notes the release date as 3 Nov.):

Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season One is presented in widescreen with English, Spanish and French 5.1 DTS audio and English, French and Spanish subtitles.

Bonus features include:

* Seven Director's Cut Episodes: Rising Malevolence, Shadow of Malevolence, Lair of Grievous, Rookies, Storm Over Ryloth, Innocents of Ryloth and Liberty on Ryloth

* 22 Episodic Featurettes that go behind-the-scenes with Supervising Director Dave Filoni and crew about the making-of each episode

* Spectacular 64-page production journal that includes early sketches, artist notes, and concept art from each episode from Season One

* Blu-ray Exclusive -- The Jedi Temple Archives: An extensive database exploring test footage, early concept art, 3-D character and object turnarounds and early animation. The Archives is a rare look at the assets in various stages of creation for The Clone Wars, with a wealth of surprises and never-before seen moments sprinkled throughout.

UPDATE: Now I have the set and can add that the disks are Region Free (I play them on my European BD player) and are encased in a book cover with a 62-page book. The front flap holds disk 1 and the back flap holds disks 2 and 3. The book is 64 pages (including front and back cover) of amazing artwork and behind-the-scenes pictures, scans, script pages, info, background, character drafts, etc for the entire first season. I hope some body uploads some scans or photos to the product page so you can see the detail. It is excellent! I can't believe they included so much in this set for such a low price.

The packaging is well done allowing disk removal without scratching. Each disk holds 7 or 8 episodes, which run back-to-back as one long movie (however with the "Clone Wars" logo and news real preceding each).

The bonus features are similar to Seinfeld's "Inside Look" features where each episode is dissected - in this case mostly by director Dave Filoni with an occasional guest - either a writer or producer. There aren't picture-in-picture tracks, everything is done as stand-alone featurettes - one for each episode. There are hidden content within each featurette where you can hit the "enter" key on your remote at certain cued times to go into an animatic or design sketch, and then back where you left off.

The "Directors Cut" episodes aren't noticeably longer and scarcely different from the aired versions. I noticed a few seconds added here and there, mostly to action sequences (space battles, saber battles, etc). I doubt the casual viewer will notice any difference at all. The quality of both audio and video is exactly as I hoped - top notch!

Regardless: I can't recommend this set highly enough! It's such an amazing steal at this price and has a much bettter packaging than ROME or Battlestar Galactica which pretty much pissed me off! (You can't remove the disks in either of those box sets without scratching them since they are encased in cardboard sleeves with very shoddy casing!)

Aside: In a commentary for the last episode (featuring bounty hunters and a new character named "Cad Bane") director Filoni reveals that Zero the Hutt will be back in season two for a run of episodes and that we'll see more of the Hutts throughout the Cone Wars!

When I heard that they were releasing a Star Wars "cartoon" in the Movie theaters, I scoffed. I have seen the movies dozens of times and still remember seeing the original at the drive in (!) in 1977 all summer long. I've read all the best Star Wars books (*cough*TimothyZahn*cough*), played most of the games, have all the music on my ipod and saw Episode III at midnight. Yea, I'm a fan. Episode 1 and 2 didn't do it for me, but EP3 brought Lucas back into my good graces.

Despite being a hard core fan, I refused to see a Star Wars cartoon in a movie theater. Rubbish! I declared. How can Star Wars be a blocky cartoon?

That was a mistake. When I finally got the movie on DVD, it was fantastic. When this show came out on Cartoon Network, finally, for the first time in YEARS I had a Sci Fi show that I actually looked forward to watching each week. Yes, its a cartoon. Yes, I would prefer a live action show or another movie, but I know that is later and never (respectively). Yes, it could be geared a little more toward adults (but then BattleStar Galactica was so much geared toward adults, that I couldn't watch it. Its softcore porn wrapped in a swearfest, served with torture and gore... oh goody. Lorne Greene is spinning in his grave...) but in the end, just about every episode of Clone Wars is memorable, with little to no filler.

Parts of it are recycled, some of the scenes are almost stolen right from the movies, but it works, it works, it works. And there is enough new material to overlook the recycled parts. I like the quips, I like the new Padawan and the action scenes are fantastic.

I don't give away 5 stars easily. And if you're turned off at my comments about "BS" Galactica and think your shows need more porn and gore, not less, you might be turned off a bit at Clone Wars.

After EP3, I thought I would never get a chance to invest my imagination in the Star Wars universe again, but Clone Wars proved me dead, dead wrong.

EDIT - My review is based on having seen every episode. Now that I've got the DVD set, I am even more impressed! There is a 64 page book in the middle of the DVD's with concept art from the show and its very nice. The case is not cheap, its more like a book itself. I'm guessing that they will eventually offer a nice book shelf container for holding all the seasons when it is done. In the words of Darth Vader: "Impressive, most impressive"

I know, sounds like an exageration, but believe me. This is the finest box set you will ever experience. This is what Blu-Ray is about folks. Fantastic surround sound that encompasses the entire sound field, flawless dialogue tracks, and thunderous bass. Dear God, Star Wars was meant to sound like this. Digital clarity that only Blu-Ray can provide.

Our cable company has yet to add Cartoon Network to our HD roster, so what a pure joy to finally see this beautiful animation come to life in all of its glory. The episodes are simply glorious. The colors, the lighting, the depth, the dimension, I just can't believe anyone would say something negative about this presentaion.

The packaging is fantatsic as well. Built solid, with amazing texture, and beautiful booklet with early images of the charecters, planets, and crafts, along with fun comments about each. The discs are held in place quite nicley, and the whole set just reflects Lucas perfection!

The special features are so in depth, and fascinating. My 7 year old son and I just loved hearing the backstories and realizing how much care goes into every aspect of the charecters and storylines. I know some people just don't accept this new generation of Star Wars. Well, you know what. Thats their loss!

I have come to love these charecters, and they are handled with intergrity from the writers. The episode "Rookies" is one of the most moving stories I have seen in many years. These clones do have personalities, and you hurt for them as they mature and try to fullfill their "purpose". Yoda is a pure joy in "Ambush", as he takes on a challenge to defeat a legion of battledroids, while helping 3 clone troopers learn more about who they are, and how to use the force in their own unique way. Plo Kloon also shows his compassion for the clones as he risks his own life in space to save their lives because of how much he values them. The special connection between Anakin and R2 is also explored, as well as his genuine care for Asoka (his young padawan).

My son and I love Captain Rex, and Asoka, and really enjoy the appearances by Aurra Sing, Kit Fisto, Plo Koon, Aayla Secura, and so many other fun charecters we only catch little or no glimpse in the films. We are both so psyched for what has been rumored to be Boba Fett's appearance in season 2!

If you are a fan of the series, this is simply a must have. If you have been turned off from the series from all of those...well, you know what I mean. Forget them and give it a try. FINALLY, a box set worth every penny!!!!!!!!!