OF SUBMERSIBLES, SLAVERS AND SITH LORDS! "THE CLONE WARS" SEASON FOUR

Towards his destiny...Anakin Skywalker in Season Four of THE CLONE WARS.

A new extended trailer for Season Four of THE CLONE WARS debuted today and it was fabulous -
The Clone Wars Season 4 "Battle Lines" Trailer - YouTube - full of incredible imagery and action/adventure. Plus more of the baddies we want to see (alongside lots more new ones), and not necessarily fighting against the Republic, more Obi-Wan, more Mon Calamari, more new worlds and creatures, and, most importantly, a lot to come on the Dark Side of the Force and its relationship to Anakin Skywalker, as we finally get to see his anger come out of its bottle regarding slavers-perhaps one more scheme pre-EPISODE III designed by Darth Sidious to get Anakin closer to the Sith.

We'll find out more from September 16th in the US, and probably October in the UK.

Here's some more great images from the trailer...

Sidious launches a new scheme of terror alongside Count Dooku.

New look Clone Troopers in action.

New laser whip wielding baddies for the Jedi to deal with... 

Ahsoka and Artoo-always ready to help!

More great space vistas.

Ventress and the Nightsisters fight back.

More explosive action for the Clone Troopers.

Ahsoka mans the speeder bike turret! Dig those glasses once more!

Always the best man to have on your side: Obi-Wan Kenobi

Jedi mission: liberate the Togrutan slaves.

Fight! Grievous versus Ventress!

Time for another Anakin/Ahsoka explosion!

Those Death Watch warriors rear their heads once again.

A world under siege from the Death Watch.

CLASSIC IMAGE: DEADLY APPRENTICESHIP!

Not my idea of perfect adoptive parents or role models, those very dangerous bounty hunters, the Trandoshan Bossk and lithe but deadly Aurra Sing pose for a "family photo" alongside their new recruit, the revenge fuelled teenage Boba Fett (once more voiced in the series by EPISODE II actor Daniel Logan) in this specially created image by LUCASFILM ANIMATION for the very enjoyable Fett story arc that made up the final three episodes of Season Two in early 2010. Those and three other earlier episodes make up that last batch of tales now available in compilation discs from the ambitious Season Two and it's mostly successful umbrella theme of RISE OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS. This WARNER BROTHERS DVD only release, out next week (22nd), will surely be welcome by completist collectors, but is also aimed primarily at the younger family/audience mark. And a welcome release it is too, with enough imagination, diverse creatures, visual excitement and colour to keep everyone thoroughly entertained during the Summer holidays.

The second part of the Fett arc, R2 COME HOME, made our top five episodes of that season. Check out our mini- review here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO MAGAZINE: "THE CLONE WARS" SEASON TWO. SWA's TOP FIVE EPISODES. NO 3: "R2 COME HOME", as did the excellent GODZILLA-homage THE ZILLO BEAST STRIKES BACK, also included amongst this batch of impressive tales from the STAR WARS universe. Check out that review here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO MAGAZINE: "THE CLONE WARS" SEASON TWO. SWA's TOP FIVE EPISODES. NO 5: "THE ZILLO BEAST STRIKES BACK"

THE CLONE WARS Season Two, Volume Four- out August 22nd in the UK.

And watch out! Those cruel and ruthless baddies will return for more conflict during the upcoming CLONE WARS Season Four, with it's umbrella title of BATTLE LINES!

IRON WOMAN! THE RETURN OF "THE CLONE WARS"

Deadlier than the male? The first on-screen appearance of a female Mandalorian warrior in THE CLONE WARS.

Those exclusives gathering people over at ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY have got one of the first major scoops of Season Four of THE CLONE WARS, as the series sees the return of Season Three Separatist character Lux- now a fugitive and a potential love interest for Ahsoka (will this lead to the same kind of attachment problems for her as Anakin is having?)- and, even more intriguingly, the first look at a Death Watch Mandalorian lady warrior, as voiced by BATTLESTAR GALACTICA's modern gal Starbuck, Katee Sackhoff. Another fantasy female joins the STAR WARS ranks, and I think Ashley Eckstein's HER UNIVERSE business will be doing very well on the merchandising front once she debuts!

Check out the clip (which uses John Williams music from EPISODE II) here:
'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' first look: Katee Sackhoff's a Mandalorian warrior! | Inside TV | EW.com

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE HUNTRESS STRIKES!

She may have only had one brief scene in THE PHANTOM MENACE, watching the Boonta Eve pod race on Tatooine, but Bounty Hunter Aurra Sing, as portrayed by actress/model Michelle Bourriague, had that intriguing look about her that soon made a big enough impression on the STAR WARS universe and its fans to see her vitally incorporated as a major villainess within the CLONE WARS era, from comics to the second animated series (voiced by Jaime King). Now more the ever, red means dead!

A TIME TO STAND! "THE CLONE WARS" SEASON FOUR...

Flanked by Mon Calamari, Padme, in underwater costume, takes deadly aim in Season Four of THE CLONE WARS. All images: LUCASFILM ANIMATION. 

Here's a few more shots from the eagerly awaited opening episodes of the epic-looking Season Four of THE CLONE WARS, airing on CARTOON NETWORK presumably around late September /early October in the US (and hopefully on SKY MOVIES PREMIERE HD in the UK not long afterwards).

Artoo and Threepio get their own stories amongst the Clone Troops.

A Republic vessel makes its way planet-side...

More aliens large and small for fans of all ages.

Its lightsaber combat time for Adi Gallia against General Grievous.

More fishy Jedi action with Kit Fisto and his soldiers.

Will Artoo save the day once again?

Mon Calamari charge!

Our favourite droids encounter new life forms whilst on a special assignment.

Here's the most recent trailer for completism: StarWars.com | The Clone Wars: Season 4 Extended Preview

Check out our sister blog's feature on the series, here: KOOL TV: CLOSE COMBAT! SEASON FOUR OF "STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS"

AFICIONADO POLL 7: "THE CLONE WARS" SEASON THREE

Ahsoka Tano's pairing with the mighty Chewbacca in THE CLONE WARS episode WOOKIEE HUNT was surely one of the best decisions ever made by the LUCASFILM ANIMATION production team and undoubtedly a main highlight of the Third Season, too. But what did you think of that whole year of animated storytelling in general?

Why not spare a minute of your time and tell us, by taking part in our current AFICIONADO poll, here:
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF "THE CLONE WARS" SEASON THREE?

CLASSIC IMAGE: FORCE-FUL TRIO!

Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano and Obi-Wan Kenobi work out their next move whilst trapped in the Force powerful dominion of Mortis in ALTAR OF MORTIS, the second part of writer Christian Taylor's popular Mortis Trilogy fantasy, from the recent THE CLONE WARS Season Three, now officially announced for release by LUCASFILM/WARNER BROTHERS on DVD and high definition Blu-ray this October.

Here's the info: StarWars.com | The Clone Wars Season 3 on Blu-Ray and DVD This October

CLASSIC IMAGE: JUNGLE TREK!

On the strange but beautiful world of Felucia, a squad of Clone Troopers, prior to ORDER 66, traverse its wilderness en route to a new battle with Separatist forces.

CARTOON NETWORK UK'S "SECRETS REVEALED" CONTINUE...

UK fans of THE CLONE WARS missing their fix of Season Three on SKY MOVIES PREMIERE can now enjoy that entertaining season in repeats on CARTOON NETWORK UK, weekdays 10am and 5pm, as well as on the VIRGIN MEDIA digital platform where selected season two episodes are now being shown as part of their popular TV CHOICE ON DEMAND service.

The Saga is definitely continuing.....

CLASSIC IMAGE: CAD'S CUNNING ESCAPE!

The daring ingenuity of the despicable Durosian bounty hunter Cad Bane shines once more when, disguised as a Clone Trooper, he escapes from under the noses of Republic forces and Jedi Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano in THE CLONE WARS Season Two episode CHILDREN OF THE FORCE.

AFICIONADO REVIEW: "CLONE WARS GAMBIT - SIEGE"

Anakin and Obi-Wan's secret mission on Lanteeb has been shot to hell. They're injured and exhausted, on the run, and its looks like time is running out to stop the development of the Separtist's deadly new biological weapon. Can a small village of enslaved miners help the Jedi stage a miraculous fight back against their enemies?

Check our our review of the second and final part of Karen MIller's CLONE WARS GAMBIT novel SIEGE (released in the UK from 26th May in paperback from ARROW books) here: CLONE WARS GAMBIT: SIEGE

CLASSIC IMAGE: DEPARTING FORCES!

Here's a shot that has only been shown briefly in one of the early CLONE WARS episodes opening narration moments and was, as far as I'm aware, not fully part of an actual story itself (I reckon its an unused shot from the first CLONE WARS theatrical movie from 2008), showing Republic Warships and fighter escorts leaving Coruscant and soon going into battle.

It's a fantastic image from a great series...

THE CLONE WARS: SECRETS REVEALED

Our synopsis/review guide to Season Three of THE CLONE WARS has been completed. Head over to the link below and enjoy some of our best opinion and notes on the current series.

THE CLONE WARS YEAR 3 EPISODE GUIDE

OLD FRIENDS, NEW ENEMIES. "THE CLONE WARS" SEASON FOUR

A young Admiral Ackbar, joined with Ahsoka, leads his underwater forces into battle. 

Anakin captured by Dooku!

Padme (in her EPISODE ONE Naboo battle outfit) to the rescue?

Dooku wants revenge on Naboo and the Senator.

The battle re-joined. Anakin versus Dooku part three.

The attack on Naboo continues as the Gungans and Captain Tarpals (?) takes on Grievous... 

And it looks like the General may get his butt kicked!

A mighty space battle above Naboo.

Another dangerous mission to come for our Clone Trooper heroes...

And Rex takes on a dangerous new opponent.

BOBA'S DESTINY...

He may have been quiet this season, but we're sure that the disgruntled, hate fueled Bounty Hunter to be, Boba Fett, as voiced by Daniel Logan (pictured in the sound recording booth below), of whom both the character and returning actor made a big impression with fans last year in an enjoyable CLONE WARS Season Two three part story arc, will eventually resurface in Season Four-we assume he'll escape during some kind of prison break on Coruscant, once more alongside Aurra Sing. It will be intriguing to see just what happens next to bring him ever closer to wearing the bucket helmet and becoming the second most lethal badde in the universe after Darth Vader...

AHSOKA'S FATE?

The excellent artist Adriano Ticiano has sent us another splendid piece of work-this time a dark and disturbing image of what may possibly be Ahsoka Tano's future at the end of THE CLONE WARS animated series. I say possible, because only George Lucas and Dave Filoni really know what's going to happen with this popular character, who has become an inspiration to younger STAR WARS fans across the globe.

I personally don't want them to chicken out on what will happen with Ahsoka. When the series comes to its eventual conclusion, hopefully long past Season Five, she has to confront her former Master, Anakin Skywalker, now as Darth Vader.

AFICIONADO REVIEW: "WOOKIEE HUNT"

Please note: This blog contains a very mild spoiler...

I don't normally post advance reviews of CLONE WARS episodes (especially as US fans don't see the two part finale until April 1st), but I saw WOOKIEE HUNT yesterday and I'm happy to report that its an absolute winner which STAR WARS fans will love from beginning to end, and a real highlight of this season. Dave Filoni does a terrific job with this episodes direction, with its shades of PLANET OF THE APES, JURASSIC PARK and PREDATOR, and Chewbacca's introduction into the tale is cleverly handled. The much-loved iconic character, thoroughly immersed into the story (whch Expanded Universe fans will really get a kick out of), gets to show all of his best characteristics and works well with his new colleagues-in-arms. And boy is he a beast of action this time! As shown in the online documentary, the animators, alongside Peter Mayhew, have really done a fine job re-creating the character, and kudos to the sound design for resurrecting all the great Chewie barks and subtle language noises, too. My only complaint is that the episode, already tight and exciting, was too short. Another two or three minutes would have been even better-lets hope the eventual Blu-ray and DVD season release of this episode has extra material.

With a last ten minutes where fans of all ages will be cheering at the screen a lot, WOOKIEE HUNT brings Season Three of THE CLONE WARS, after a mixed start, to a very successful and very satisfying close.

Episode rating: a worthy 5 out of 5

With thanks to SKY MOVIES HD.