TV Guide has The Clone Wars covered

Star Wars fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the theatrical release of Star Wars: The Clone Wars on August 15th. And I'm delighted to announce a tie-in with TVGuide.com!

TV Guide magazine has created 4 collectible Star Wars covers, each with an exclusive CD-Rom! Fans can collect covers of C3PO, Yoda, Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker when the issue hits stands August 7th.









Collectible covers republished with the kind permission of TV Guide.

Preview
This animated film from George Lucas fills in the events that take place between Episodes II and III in the live-action narrative. Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker are now both full-fledged Jedi, and it's Anakin who has a Padawan apprentice, a young girl named Ahsoka, a teenage female Togruta, which is a race of red-skinned, horned aliens. The movie is a launching pad for a similarly themed animated TV show, which will air on TNT and the Cartoon Network beginning in the fall.

Look out for my Star Wars: The Clone Wars review in the coming weeks.

"Star Wars Spoilers, Scoops and TV Listings on TVGuide.com"

Energon Cube Redux

I think I maybe coming down with a cold. However, couldn't let this cool collectible news pass by without comment:

The Star Wars Transformers line has been confirmed at BotCon today. There are eleven of them planned for 2006 starting in January, available as a play pack. An X-Wing and a "Boba Fett ship" (probably the Slave I) have been confirmed by name only. Here's the possible full list:

Luke Skywalker / X-Wing Fighter
Darth Vader / TIE Fighter
General Grievous / Wheel Bike
Obi-Wan Kenobi / Jedi Starfighter
Boba Fett / Slave 1
Darth Maul / Sith Infiltrator
Anakin Skywalker / Jedi Starfighter
Snowtrooper / AT-ST
Clone Trooper / ARC-170 Fighter
Emperor Palpatine / Star Destroyer
Jango Fett / Slave 1

It will have no bearing on the continuities of either universe. Additionally, Hasbro plans to release Transformers Attacktix, which will be game-compatible with the Star Wars figures.

So, nearly two decades on and my suggestion has come to fruition!

Parting is such bittersweet sorrow

Whilst I collect my thoughts following the onset of a migraine headache last night. Here is a snapshot of Revenge of the Sith:

*Opening battle fore and background detail was too cluttered making it difficult to follow the action - no focal point. After the ill considered Phantom Menace Battle Droid montage reprise, the Dooku rematch was sacrilegiously short making way for the asthmatic Grievous and his Neimoidian aid voiced by a Californian surfer!

*Planet fall and the personal drama ramps up. Christensen and Portman now have chemistry. McGregor is at ease and McDiarmid owns the movie!

*Raging battles across the galaxy showcase Clone varieties and induce excitement - from Speeder Bikes to proto Scout Walkers it's an extended Hasbro commercial.

*Yoda's departure from Kashyyyk was affecting and mirrored, musically and visually, E.T's departure.

*The final duel exteriorises the conflict within Anakin and Obi-Wan clearly does not want to kill his apprentice and friend. Anakin's charred body leaves an indelible nightmarish impression.

*Padme's death and Anakin's mechanised encasement is heartbreaking and the audience was shell-shocked. The mask, the breathing, a traumatic slideshow maketh. Vader rises and there's no rejoicing!

* The setting suns barely visible behind my tears...

PSPlayboy

Today SCEE announced that 01.09.05 is when PSP officially arrives! Mirroring the US pack-in, the initial offering will be the ubiquitous Value Pack priced at £179 (€249). Spider-Man 2 UMD is a bonus for early adopters. Better start scraping some pennies together.

60 Minutes special 'Star Wars' Goes To Hell was compelling viewing. Scenes of Anakin vs Obi-Wan were amongst the highlights along with a look at Lucasfilm's new offices. Francis Ford Coppola cropped up, not that he's in demand these days! George Lucas has become a billionaire based on a relatively small creative catalogue and has to be admired for his business acumen. He confirmed that there will be two Star Wars television series. The animated Clone Wars is be retooled (in 3D) for 30 minute episodes and a live-action show set between Episode's III and IV. Looks like Kenner's internal promo videos were indeed portentous. Should keep Hasbro busy.

A Cosmic Copland

My first vinyl album was the original Star Wars (1977) soundtrack. Last evening I had the unbridled pleasure of listening to the Revenge of the Sith CD prior to its May 2nd release. What follows is the raw and unrefined first impression of a fan bereft of any objectivity.

01 - Star Wars and The Revenge Of The Sith (7:31)

The signature theme (taken from an existing recording) ambitiously segues early into the battle above Coruscant, and the daring rescue of Senator Palpatine from the clutches of Count Dooku. This is the most compelling transition since The Empire Strikes Back (1980).

02 - Anakin's Dream (4:46)

Anakin’s fate is unknown. In shades of Schindler's List (1993), Across The Stars is performed underneath a viola and harp solo. Portentous strings interrupt this harmonious (and enigmatic) moment and the suite takes a darker direction as an embattled Force Theme struggles to emerge from beneath dissonant orchestrations.

03 - Battle Of The Heroes (3:42)

An emotional and sweeping choral/waltz punctuated by an incomplete rendition of the Force Theme. The opening evokes Danny Elfman’s score for Batman (1989), which was in itself gloriously derivative. A quodlibet to The Phantom Menace's (1999) Duel Of The Fates.

04 - Anakin's Betrayal (4:04)

The balance of the force is in flux.

05 - General Grievous (4:07)

Obi-Wan buys a single day pass to Jurassic Park!

06 - Palpatine's Teachings (5:25)

In a style reminiscent of Trevor Jones’ composition for The Dark Crystal (1982), Williams explores the seduction/deception of Anakin by the Master of the dark side.

07 - Grievous and the Droids (3:28)

Drawn from TPM's Trade Federation leitmotivs.

08 - Padme's Ruminations (3:17)

The Return of the Jedi’s (1983) darkest moments are revisited within the framework of Minority Report's (2002) ethereal female vocals.

09 - Anakin vs. Obi-Wan (3:57)

Starting with a blustering reprise of Battle Of The Heroes, the score reintroduces Darth Vader’s theme (as performed during the Bespin duel). Elements from ESB are interwoven into the new material with chilling and startling results - sonic flourishes shadowing the action.

10 - Anakin's Dark Deeds (4:05)

John Williams joins forces with Howard Shore.

11 - Enter Lord Vader (4:14)

A reflective montage; from the pomp and circumstance of Naboo to Across The Stars, Anakin’s Theme and… Lyrical poetry.

12 - The Immolation Scene (2:42)

Haunting. Williams conjures the atmosphere of the main themes from A New Hope (1977).

13 - Grievous Speaks to Lord Sidious (2:49)

Harry Potter at play.

14 - The Birth Of The Twins and Padme's Destiny (3:37)

Across The Stars is followed by a majestic reprise of Qui-Gon’s Funeral Theme.

15 - A New Hope and End Credits (13:06)

Luke and Leia breathtakingly usher us towards the end of the beginning.

In conclusion. This is, at times, a mildly jarring composition (editorial haste?). John Williams’ ROTS soundtrack lacks the ‘analog magic’ of the original trilogy recording sessions, favoring flawless digital brush strokes inherent in the production of the prequels. But none of this ultimately detracts from what is highly emotive listening.

During the CD listening session (JBL monitors) I referenced a copy of The Making of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith -- The Final Chapter. The diary recording of John Williams' ideological approach to movie scoring informed the listening experience immeasurably.

The sonic saga is complete and will be long remembered. Thank you John (and Mum for buying me that vinyl album a long, long time ago).

Do what must be done

After watching the Revenge of the Sith trailer online and on UK television. The standout moments include:

*Palpatine's manipulation of Skywalker
*Skywalker leading the Jedi massacre
*Mace Windu's ill-fated confrontation with Palpatine
*Wookies
*Blockade Runner

Next week I'll post signature stills from the trailer (one of which will be adapted for my review section). For now, here's a screenshot taken from Sega's Galaxy Force II (1989) coin-op.



Notice how the ship on the left looks like a TIE-Fighter and the planetary setting could be Mustafar, where Darth Vader battles Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Nintendo DS goes on sale in the UK from today.