Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 2 episode 1 review

2.1 Holocron Heist

And so, after a generally outstanding first season (only the odd clunker in there), The Clone Wars returns with an incredible opening sequence in the first episode of the second season, Holocron Heist.

It serves as a reminder of just how visual Star Wars can be, but the action is quickly curtailed in favour of displaying how impudent and inexperienced Ahsoka Tano, (Anakin's padawan) still is. So much so that's she's grounded to library duty with the more obscure fan favourite Madame Jocasta.

Less than obscure is Cad Bane, the villain of the piece. This bad boy popped up towards the end of the first season with his spaghetti western garb and 'tude to match, but this time he's on the lookout (at the bequest of a certain Sith Lord) for some Jedi Holocrons. The bounty hunter's re-introduction here is an incredibly cinematic reveal as he chats to his new BFF Darth Sidious and is stoutly directed.

What's more, he's got a little buddy in the shape of fidgety techno-service droid Todo 360, voiced by Seth Green. The Family Guy alumni's presence is very intrusive and it doesn't help that the robot is more annoying than your average automaton in Star Wars - you'll wonder why Bane would hang around with such a hole-a-tron.

Fans will raise a cheer at the mention of the Kyber crystal, a data repository of every known Force-sensitive child in the galaxy. Though it does entail that the future of the Jedi Order is at stake as Bane is on his way to retrieve it, but that's awaiting in the next installment.

Holocron Heist is a satisfying return for the animated antics of Anakin & Co., beautifully animated and gripping throughout with a tasty bad guy to boot. Just how it should be.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars is showing every Saturday on Sky Movies Premiere and Sky Movies Premiere HD