Friday 26 February 2010

EP215: SENATE MURDERS

Episode Description
When Senator Onaconda Farr dies under suspicious circumstances, Padmé sets out to find the person responsible for the death of her favourite 'uncle.'

Character Descriptions:


Halle Burtoni (EP215)
With the creation of the clones for the Republic, Kamino earned a seat within the galactic senate and they sent one of their oldest and most powerful members to represent them. Senator Burtoni’s main goal is to always keep Kamino’s interests a top priority and she will stop at nothing to do so.


Inspector Lieutenant Tan Divo (EP215)
An eccentric member of the Coruscant police force, Tan Divo believes in the letter of the law and his enforcement of it. How he handles suspects is an entirely different matter that could use a bit more tact.


Lolo Purs (EP215)
Rodia’s representative and Onaconda Farr’s best legal aide in the fight for Rodian rights. A young and idealistic member of the Galactic senate, Lolo is a staunch supporter of the Republic but follows in the footsteps of her mentor as one who wants to see a peaceful resolution to the war. However, her world and resolve is shaken when Farr is killed under mysterious circumstances.


Senator Mee Deechi (EP215)
The senator from Umbara is a staunch advocate for the Republic especially when it furthers his wealth and power. To Mee Deechi, the war was a necessary step to achieving real peace and though that flies in the face of people like Senator Amidala he will not back down from his belief no matter what anyone may say or do.


Extra Notes:
Halle Burtoni's appearance seems to resemble that of Yzma, the main antagonist in Disney's The Emperor's New Groove (pictured above)

SORRY

Hello fellow Clone Wars fans,
I apologise for the lack of posts recently, but I can make up for that with new Character Descriptions, new Episode Descriptions, new Vehicle Descriptions, and new Planet Descriptions for each upcoming episode of Season Two.
I hope to add a new post by the end of the day,
CloneWarsFan96

Wednesday 17 February 2010

LIGHTSABER LOST REVIEW

A lot of the episode was very similar to Attack of the Clones, in which Anakin kept losing his lightsaber, including some direct dialogue references, such as Ahsoka noting Anakin always warns her, "Your lightsaber is your life" – which of course was the same thing Obi-Wan told him in Episode II.



This episode featured an elderly Jedi named Tera Sinube (Tera Sinube's design is based on an abandoned alien concept illustrated for Episode I Senators) aswell as two female assassins by the names of Cassie Cryar (who almost looks like a Tim Burton character mixed with Star Wars) and Ione Marcy (who looks almost cute until she opens her mouth to reveal creepy sharp teeth).



DID YOU KNOW?: When Ahsoka is researching underworld thieves, she poses on a mugshot of Brea Tonnika, one of the Tonnika sisters seen in the cantina in Episode IV.

RATING: 4/5

Saturday 2 January 2010

GRIEVOUS INTRIGUE AND THE DESERTER REVIEW


GRIEVOUS INTRIGUE
Grievous Intrigue marks 'The Clone Wars' debut of Jedi Masters Eeth Koth and Adi Gallia. As you all probably know, the expanded universe attempted to kill off Eeth Koth in 2003's Inside the World of Attack of the Clones, claiming he died in a gunship crash on Geonosis that also took the life of Sora Bulq -- another Jedi character who emerged intact in a subsequent source. I also enjoyed seeing General Grievous in action and the long awaited return Commander Wolffe, who has suffered an eye injury since his last unhelmeted appearance in "Rising Malevolence," necessitating a cybernetic replacement. There were also a few major disappointments in this episode such as Anakin seeing Grievous in the Jedi War Room as they're supposed to see each other for the first time on 'The Invisible Hand' in Revenge of the Sith and the fact that Adi Gallia has been portrayed too young, looking more like Stass Allie rather than Adi.
Rating: 3/5


THE DESERTER
Following the events of Grievous Intrigue, General Grievous has fled to Saleucami being closely followed by Obi-Wan Kenobi along with Captain Rex and Commander Cody. Whilst searching for Grievous, Rex is shot by a pair of Commando Droids and requires shelter in order for medical attention. He is given shelter by a Twi'lek farmer and her husband, Cut Lawquane, a clone deserter... The thing I enjoyed most about this episode was when Rex and Cut had a conversation in private over a game of dejarik holochess most famously played by C-3PO and Chewbacca on the Millenium Falcon in A New Hope and the encounter between Obi-Wan and Grievous towards the end of the episode.
Rating: 4/5

Thursday 10 December 2009

GEONOSIS SAGA REVIEW


LANDING AT POINT RAIN
The first of the saga, this episode marks the return of the infamous 212th Attack Battalion members Waxer and Boil aswell as the series debut of Cerean Jedi Master, Ki-Adi-Mundi. A very good episodes and darker than we've seen before, especially when you see the Geonosians being burnt alive! On a negative note, this episode also introduced Ki-Adi-Mundi's second-in-command Clone Commander Jet. What the hell!? Why not use Bacara from Episode III? That's what everybody wanted! Anyway, baring that in mind, I would give this episode...
Rating: 4/5


WEAPONS FACTORY
Another great episode also introducing the series debut of a familiar Jedi... BARRISS OFFEE!!! In this episode, we saw Barriss and Ahsoka working their way through underground catacombs in order to reach and destroy a newly developed Battle Droid Factory. It was good to see Ahsoka with a fellow Padawan Learner, and to see her reaction to 'The Clone War'!
Rating: 5/5


LEGACY OF TERROR
I could sum this episode in one word: ZOMBIES!!! The darker tone of this episode was established early on, in a scene that was the most humanizing we've ever had for the poor Battle Droids. But it was after Luminara was captured that things really got creepy. The scene in which she woke up to find herself being dragged through a tunnel by several Geonosians was incredibly creepy. I also liked the Geonosian Queen, Karnia the Great voiced by Dee Bradley Baker (who also voices the Clone Troopers).
Rating: 4/5


BRAIN INVADERS
This was a very cool, dark episode. I would go as far to say this episode actually scared me. This episode also marked the first time I recall so directly hearing hints of "The Imperial March" on The Clone Wars, in a scene that certainly warranted it. When Anakin needed to get information from Poggle the Lesser that could save Ahsoka, he was told Jedi mind tricks didn't work on Poggle – so Anakin proceeded to hit Poggle and then force choke him to get the answers he seeked. Torture is certainly not the Jedi way, and the force choke is of course one of Darth Vader's favorite tricks. Once again, I am impressed and surprised by how dark this show can go.
Rating: 5/5

Saturday 21 November 2009

DEE BRADLEY BAKER: FROM CLONES TO QUEEN KARNIA

You've voiced all the clone troopers and quite a few creatures in The Clone Wars. Which types of voices offer more of an interesting challenge for you as an actor?

In a way these clones are the most normal thing I've ever done. They're completely straight ahead, above board, human characters. And that for me is an unusual project. When you look at the stuff I've done, I tend to do things that are just completely out there, or not even human in any way. So that's what I'm kind of used to doing even though it's just odd to do.

For me it's unusual to do something normal, and that's what the clones are. I like the clones because it's more straightforward acting. They're good soldiers, they're smart and competent, and yet each one is a little different. They have foibles. Some are less experienced, some are gruffer and some are turncoats. To make these guys a little bit different, and yet feel real and the same, is a real interesting and fun challenge.

That said, I really like doing the bizarre stuff like the Geonosian queen who emerges from the catacombs. There's a real thrill to doing something that's so bizarre and inhuman that's very gratifying.

How did you approach creating the voice for Queen Karina?

I have a lot of experience with doing enough weird things with my voice that I'm good at walking in, seeing some images of the character or creature, having it explained it to me, and then trying a few things that they like. In this case, they weren't really sure what they were going to do with it, so Dave Filoni threw it to me and gave me a shot at it. He told me what she's like, what she's feeling and the tone of the scene, and I came up with this crazed, kind of frightening and yet authoritative type of voice. He liked my first take right away. And a lot of what you hear in the episode is my first run at it. I also added in some screams to give it more realism.



It was interesting that you gave the queen a scratchy, horror-type voice instead of the traditional voice like Queen Elizabeth.

It's definitely more Ridley Scott. However, I don't know if Queen Elizabeth sounds like that when she screams. (laughs)

Why do you think fans will really enjoy the "Legacy of Terror" episode?

This is a really unique episode. The creative team of The Clone Wars is confident enough to tell different kinds of stories. It's not all just the politics of war, but you get these side stories that have their own flavor and feel that are very different from the other stuff they've put out. It's like a little experiment and detour. This story is not the typical Star Wars stuff that you've seen. It's got elements of horror in it that are unusual, and it's really cool.

Zombies are definitely popular right now, so it's fun to see The Clone Wars explore that genre. But the episode also has a lot of humor in it as well.

That's a really smart storytelling device. With Obi-Wan's light-hearted scientific take on what's happening, it lets the viewer know they don't need to get too freaked out. Obi-Wan's not afraid that everyone is going to die and he'll find a way to solve this, which is important because a number of these episodes in the new season are very intense and it's good to have a character that reminds us that everything is going to be all right.

Speaking of zombies, according to your extensive list of credits on IMDB.com, you voiced the zombies in Dawn of the Dead. How does one go about making the perfect zombie sound?

What a great movie! I got to work with director Zack Snyder when I did the ADR on the zombies. The zombie who gets a broom to the back of the head -- that was me. There was another zombie where his bottom half was torn off and he was crawling along the ceiling -- that was me. I did a number of zombies.

When I do these zombie sounds, I look first at what's happening on the screen and go from there. There are so many great zombie movies out now that are scary like Dawn of the Dead, and funny like Shaun of the Dead, and sometimes really moving like 28 Days Later. I'm also a big fan of the classic George Romero zombie films.

As a kid, were you really into monster and horror movies?

On Saturdays, I would watch Science Fiction Theater which you'd see a lot of vampires and werewolves and a lot of monster movies. I really liked Godzilla and worshiped Planet of the Apes. The first adult horror movie I ever saw, which has a lot of similarities in this episode, was Alien. I was into Hammer horror films and monster movies. And once the '80s hit with The Thing, American Werewolf in London, and Scanners, I was all over those. They remain as some of my favorite movies to this day.

There's not a lot of monster and horror movies out there that seem edgy enough for adults but still somewhat safe for kids without being hokey.

I think that's what is unique about The Clone Wars. I'm a dad and I watch it with my 9-year-old. There's really not a lot of shows you can watch as a grown-up with your kids and gladly do it. This is actually one. They're well-written, interesting and a lot of cool ideas come out with every episode. It's a story that's actually about something.



Who is your favorite character to voice on The Clone Wars so far?
In "Hostage Crisis," there was this bounty hunter special ops guy named Robonino. He doesn't sound human, just a bizarre little creature. But I like Queen Karina too. Also, I find that the clone who goes in a different direction always has a special place in my heart.

On your Twitter, you often let fans know what you've recorded for the day. It's pretty impressive to see your lineup of characters you're expected to come up with in one session. One day included you voicing a raccoon, a prairie dog, a squirrel, a vulture, a turkey, a hawk, a bear, a tin superhero, two giant monsters and two surfer dudes. That sounds like the best show ever!

What's cool about doing voice overs is that you can be on a show that has all those things. I think that day it was a movie where I was asked to do realistic animal sounds. Another was a Batman: Brave and the Bold episode where I did a creature sound. Finally, at the end of the day it was a Fairly Odd Parents episode that needed a giant tentacled monster that was devouring the world.

Are all these creature and character sounds already in your head or do you ever have to research sounds to build up your skill set?

I think because I watched so many monster movies all along I have a lot of ideas in my head -- not necessarily about the sound but about what the creature seems like. If I have that feel of what it seems like in my head then I can bring something up that will match that. I've been doing these sounds for over 15 years, so I know where to go into my head to pull out a certain sound. It's almost like a motor muscle memory where these sounds are.

You must be the best bedtime storyteller ever!

Actually, my daughter only recently let me do voices when I read to her. Before that she just wanted me to speak in my own voice. She's changed her mind now that we're reading The Lord of the Rings and I do all the voices.

When you're in the grocery store, are you ever tempted to make Rancor noises when you're in line?

Actually, when I'm in the produce section of my grocery store, there's a guy who works there who's a showoff like I am and he'll start making animal sounds, so I'll make animal sounds back. And we'll do that back and forth while I'm shopping for groceries. But in most cases, I give my voice a rest.

Friday 13 November 2009

MEREDITH SALENGER AS BARRISS OFFEE

First, how did you find yourself voicing "Dependable Barriss," as Ahsoka calls her, in the Clone Wars series?

Although I started acting in film when I was only 10 years old, I never even knew about voice-over acting until three years ago. I was so thrilled once I finally understood how the whole voice-over thing works and started loving playing animated characters! I also have been obsessed with accents and foreign languages since I was little...and always practiced my English accent and my Australian accent incessantly. So when the audition came up for Barriss Offee I was ready to put my skills to use! And I feel so grateful to be part of the cast and more importantly the Star Wars universe!

So far, our exposure to Padawans in The Clone Wars has been pretty much limited to Ahsoka. In "Weapons Factory," we get a rare glimpse of the relationship between a different master and apprentice. How would you compare the Barriss/Luminara relationship to that of Ahsoka/Anakin?

Well, Barris Offee's Jedi Master is Luminara Unduli who is very by the book and ordered. As her loyal student, Barriss tends to be just as ordered in her approach to dealing with situations. There is a great amount of respect that Barriss affords Luminara. She is definitely her subordinate and their relationship is very formal. Whereas, there is a lot of familiarity between Ahsoka and Anakin. He even calls her by a cute nickname, "Snips." I think he allows her to give a lot of input. I don't think Barriss would ever presume to tell Luminara what she thought was best. However, I think that the more time Barriss spends with Ahsoka -- she learns to improvise a bit more and trust her own instincts as opposed to always having to follow the rules exactly.



What do you feel Barriss needs to learn before becoming a Jedi Knight?

Well as we find Barriss in her first episode, she already displays a lot of the core values of being a Jedi: she respects her master, she is always ready to increase her knowledge and continue her training, she defends and protects the good of the galaxy, she even has healing powers. I think the main thing she is learning is to trust her personal instincts and let the Force work through her. And not worry so much about doing things the "right way." A Jedi has to have the confidence and the courage to act, and that is how Barriss will grow the longer she is in training. I think she has the skill and is gaining the knowledge -- she just needs to trust the spirit.

Do you know if we'll see more of Barriss as the season unfolds?

There are definitely some very interesting scenes coming up with Barriss that will surprise a lot of people. I of course keep envisioning a best friends side story scenario between Ahsoka and Barriss...like Bettty and Veronica but not adversarial! Just for fun!