Cartoon Network's Star Wars: The Clone Wars just might be the best action/adventure show on television. Come to think of it, it might be the only true action/adventure show on television.But, as the show ramps up the action content and significantly sweetens its visuals, its increased intensity might be driving away some younger viewers.
As The Clone Wars moves through its second season, the war is growing -- both in scope and violence. Viewers are seeing more dead Clonetroopers, more crashed vehicles and more beloved characters in deadly jeopardy.
Its ratings continue to cruise in hyperspace (especially for males), but I wonder if the darker tones of season two could drive younger kids and their parents away from the show.
It's a tricky balancing act for The Clone Wars' creators. As its story arc progresses toward the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker's descent, the transformation into Darth Vader and the destruction of the very same Jedis viewers root for every week, the episodes must slowly grow more bleak.
However, that evolution is bound to introduce themes and imagery that might be inappropriate for kids under the age of 10. And, who plays with the Clone Wars toys Hasbro cranks out for Lucasfilm? You see the dilemma.
So, if you're a fan, keep an eye on the tone of Clone Wars and see how its writers and directors hold the line on its violence.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-07-2009 @ 2:04PM
MCW said...
"And, who plays with the Clone Wars toys Hasbro cranks out for Lucasfilm?"
Good question. I can't figure out why they don't think up something for the older fans of the show. There are the video games, but I am cautious to give them a try, considering the game track record for Star Wars. Aside from that, there is not much for older fans to latch onto, aside from the show itself.
The worst part is when it goes to commercial, and you have Russian thumbs telling you that it will be right back. Cartoon Network, as I said the last time you mentioned it, doesn't understand its audience... ever.
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11-07-2009 @ 5:24PM
Jamus said...
The current Clone Wars (and the older 5-min episodes) are great, but I would love to see Lucas go hands off and put a new movie based on this animation over in the hands of someone new. They did the Clone Wars DVD/movie 2yrs back, but it was just felt bland. We need something fresh.
I want Lucasfilm to grow a pair and decide to actually progress PAST Return of the Jedi. "Shadow of the Empire" would make a great one shot movie using this animation. I could only hope to see the "Heir to the Empire" trilogy. That would be sweet.
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11-07-2009 @ 10:24PM
Hank said...
I watch the show with my son, who is 5. He understands the fantasy/reality line. I've given him honest answers to all his questions, and through this, he's developed a better understanding of actions and consequences, bad versus good, and some of the other themes on the show.
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11-18-2009 @ 5:19PM
Paul said...
Ratings are cruising in hyperspace? Last time I looked, each new episode was attracting less than 1.5 million viewers, which makes "Jay Leno" look like a massive network hit. Looks to me more like it's crashing and burning. "Star Wars" is now a middling cartoon on a second-tier cable network. That's a sad development.
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