STAR DUDES
creators' Web site
get them in the animation section @ TheForce.Net

review written 2/23/2003

Will Brooker's Using the Force book (available in the store) goes into this series quite a bit, leaving me nothing to talk about. At present only four of the Star Wars movies have been subjected to Rich Cando's treatment, but the quality is consistent enough for me to discuss things as a whole.

The look is the real plus here. Cando's style is fresh, distinctive and fun. I could see a line of t-shirts in his future, perhaps even a world-recognized "Dudes" animation style. If I were to walk into a room and see a Cando drawing I'd never seen hanging on the wall, I'd recognize it instantly. That is good.

The adaptations, built around the standard idea of "condense the movie", are little more than an excuse to see the art come to life. But I'm along for that ride. I like the bold colors and the thick lines. I like the little touches—Aurra Sing in TPM, Leia's dazed expression when she's stunned in ANH.

The Flash medium is used to its fullest here, making this an easy download and a smooth watch.

The "hey, dude!" joke wears thin very quickly, and frankly all these movies run a little long. The music is not used to any sort of advantage. But it's Flash, it's a quick download, no real reason to complain. It's style over substance. But oh, what style.