LOS ANGELES Situated chronologically between the 'Star Wars' prequels 'Attack of the Clones' and 'Revenge of the Sith,' the animated 'Star Wars The Clone Wars' is largely uninspired.

Frankly, given the newer installments increasing reliance on computer-animated effects, the transition from live action to animation isnt really all that dramatic -- and thats part of the problem with the latest adventure, which Warner Bros. will release on August 8.

In the absence of any extensive innovation, the video game-ready results play more like a feature-length promo for the imminent TV series of the same name than a stand-alone event.

Given the prolonged awareness factor, the fanboys and junior Jedi Knights should still be out in full force -- at least in the opening weekend -- producing stellar though unlikely out-of-this-galaxy results.

Briefly alluded to in the aforementioned 'Episodes II' and 'III' as well as the subject of a very different-looking animated TV series from a few years back, 'Clone Wars' finds Anakin Skywalker (voiced by Matt Lanter) reluctantly paired with overeager Padawan learner, Ahsoka (Ashley Eckstein), on a mission to rescue crime lord Jabba the Hutts kidnapped baby.

There are admittedly some eye-catching sequences in the production, directed by Dave Filoni (Nickelodeons 'Avatar The Last Airbender'), from a script credited to Scott Murphy and TV animation veterans Henry Gilroy and Steven Melching.

But the distinctive animation style eschews photorealism in favor of something more of a high-tech marionette look recalling Sylvia and Gerry Andersons vintage 'Thunderbirds' and 'Fireball XL-5' 60s series.

Unfortunately, that wood-carved appearance is all-too-fitting considering the less-than-fluid movement of the characters (they all appear to walk like C-3PO) and the lifeless dialogue.

Strained attempts at comedy are reserved for the constant bickering between Anakin and Ahsoka, who form something of a bizarre dysfunctional family along with the Hutt-let.

While the vocal talents of originators Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor and even Yodas Frank Oz are nowhere to be heard, a welcome bit of continuity has been provided by Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee and Anthony Daniels, who lend their voices to Mace Windu, Count Dooku and C-3PO, respectively.