The Star Wars universe expanded a little more recently. Star Wars: The Clone Wars is an animated feature-length movie that fills part of the gap between chapters two and three in the endless saga of the Skywalker clan.

As a child, Star Wars took up a good portion of my time and thoughts and toy collection. So watching another expansion is always good. Even when it's as abysmal as The Phantom Menace.

The latest installment is not anywhere near as bad as Chapter I, but it is also no instant classic.

Clearly geared toward a younger audience, and allegedly a precursor to a primetime TV series, it does the job it sets out to do. An enjoyable storyline that steers clear of any major developments in the overall epic series, it sets up a little of the story of the clone wars. More a character study than an in depth story, it covers a period of time that was alluded to in the actual Star Wars movies several times.

The Clone Wars is an enjoyable 90 minutes for fans, but will probably not engage too many people who did not enjoy the movies. The promising aspect of it is that it may draw in a younger generation of fans that will then go back and watch the original holy trilogy.

I'll give Star Wars: The Clone Wars a B.
--John Berry, Online Editor--