LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace Review (4/5)

Though the low calibre of previous LEGO mini-movies would suggest that feature-length TV episode LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace would not live up to its potential, the new offering from George Lucas and co is actually very likeable, carrying its own unique charm and wit. The plot is relatively simple- Yoda is leading a group of Jedi younglings on a tour of the Jedi Temple, when they are suddenly thrust into a series of events spanning locations and characters from across the saga. As self-congratulatory as using the aforementioned fan favourite places and people might seem, it actually adds to the fun of the show, and a host of grin-inducing moments which completely mess with the series' continuity are so light-hearted that you probably won't be able to help loving The Padawan Menace (one purely hilarious example: Count Dooku and Asaji Ventress cackle at how the Jedi have not fathomed their evil plot, and Darth Vader appears and begin to laugh too, only for a LEGO George Lucas to remind Darth that he's not in the script and drag him out of the shot). Most of the cast appear to have been taken from the Clone Wars television series, and no matter what your opinion on that spin-off programme, there's a strange sense of satisfaction at hearing characters like Yoda come out of their shells and yell 'Peace out!' in the middle of a battle. Yes, really! Occassionally, the plot can get a little confusing, which is surprising considering the toy name in its title, and its a shame the running time is so brief as this could actually have potential as an entire television show. Still, there's so much to love about The Padawan Menace, it's easy to forgive it its shortcomings- it's a bold, inventive and at times genuinely funny romp that I hope can be formed into a series, or at least more special episodes, in the future.