I'd say the other reviews thoroughly rip apart the fact that this DVD has only four episodes, but there is a lightly touched upon reason why this DVD was just plain insulting to the fans. While I await a price drop on the Blu-ray season of this series I decided to rent the DVD. I was thoroughly annoyed to discover that it isn't even anamorphic widescreen. It's letterboxed!? Yeah, on a widescreen tv you get the smooshed picture with black bars on top and bottom. I realize the cover does say 1.33:1, but the series is widescreen (broadcast 1.78:1). In this day of DVD how is that even allowed?

Not even the Dolby Digital audio had any redeeming qualities. While the dialogue was easy to understand, overall it was flat: weak bass, little/no surround effects. Please DO NOT BUY this DVD. We can not encourage studios to release full-priced crap to tide us over until they get around to releasing it acceptably.

The premiere of Star Wars: The Clone Wars was met with some skepticism by fans when it debuted October 3, 2008 on the Cartoon Network. However, thus far most of the feedback from fans and critics has been mostly positive with many expressing surprise at how much they've enjoyed it. The first DVD of the series has just been released and collects the first four episodes.

In "Ambush", Yoda is on a mission to meet with the King Katuunko and convince him to allow the Republic to build a base in Toydarian territory. However, Count Dooku has dispatched the Dark Jedi Asajj Ventress to make a counter offer to the King. A challenge is made between Yoda and his three Clone Troopers against Ventress and a battalion of Droid troopers. The King will join whichever side wins!

An interesting first episode to start in that Yoda was allowed to be the main star. It showed the Producer's confidence in the show that they didn't feel the need to go overboard with the pilot episode. Nearly all the action takes place on a small moon as the two sides battle for victory.

The next three episodes on the DVD comprise the Malevolence saga, a three-part storyline which makes a near feature length film if you watch them all together.

"Rising Malevolence" finds Jedi Master Plo Koon investigating rumors of a new secret weapon that the Separatists are using. This weapon turns out to be an Ion cannon aboard a massive new warship named the Malevolence and commanded by General Grievious. The Ion Cannon knocks out power to Plo Koon's ship, and eventually he and three clones drift helplessly in an escape pod, hoping someone can rescue them before their air runs out.

"Shadow of Malevolence" Dooku orders Grievous to destroy a medical station where 60,000 wounded clones are being treated. As the medical station races to evacuate the wounded, Anakin leads his Shadow Squadron bombers through the Balmora Run to a desperate attack on the Malevolence.

"Destroy Malevolence" With the Malevolence severely damaged, Republic warships give chase, looking to destroy it once and for all. But Dooku still has some tricks up his sleeve. He's tricked a Republican Senator into the middle of the battle, leaving them to become a hostage for Grievous and a bargaining ship as well. That Senator is Padmé Amidala and now Anakin and Obi-Wan must stage a daring rescue attempt on board the Malevolence that is crawling with Droid Troops.

The three-part Malevolence saga is still the highlight of the first season. This was an epic storyline (at least in cartoon format) that rivals the films themselves. The plot was much more detailed than I'd expect from a weekly show and featured an enormous cast of characters.
In general the animation is well-done. The characters are as photo-realistic as I've ever seen in animation although they tend to suffer from the "big head" syndrome. The animation of the action and the ships is a high point.

Two minor annoyances in regard to the voice acting is the cheesy narration at the beginning, which seems to be influenced by the old, overly dramatic Super Friends Cartoons. Secondly is the incessant wisecracking of the droids for purposes of comic relief.

The only other complaint is the release of this DVD with only four episodes at a list price of $19.99. I suppose that it's because they're aimed more at something cheap for kids while the more costly, full season DVDs will be geared towards adults, but I'd still like more bang for my buck.

I thought this was the full season...it' not, it's kinda like the fan favs. Good, but not what I wanted. :P

My five years old likes it,he can wait till I get the next one,(season 2) very good CD...

Thanks to all for sharing their reviews. I have 2 young children that loved Season 1. Wanted to get for a B-day gift for my son but glad I read the reviews -- he would have been disappointed. I'll wait until the entire season comes out in a box set. Thankfully, I DVR'd the entire season so the kids can watch over & over. Had hoped the box set would be out so I could free up space but....I'll wait.