Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Cartoon Network)

The animated movie that launched this new weekly TV series (which premieres at 9 p.m. Friday) wasn't too good. But that's partly because Obi-Wan and Anakin's adventures seemed padded over 100 minutes. It works better in 22-minute chunks. And the small screen actually suits the CGI, which looks more like a videogame than the stylized anime of the other Clone Wars cartoon from a few years ago. The battle scenes especially rock.

CD

The Chemical Brothers: Brotherhood (Astralwerks)

More than any of its contemporaries, this British electronic duo aimed big. Sirens, crashes, bashes and bombs helped the guys reach their target. This best-of collection gathers 15 block-rockin' cuts from the past 13 years, including dance-floor faves like "Block Rockin' Beats" and "Setting Sun" (with Oasis' Noel Gallagher getting his Revolver-era Beatles on). A limited-edition second disc features a bunch of remixes from the Chems' lab.

DVD

Iron Man: Ultimate Edition (Paramount)

The year's second-best superhero flick packs more thrills than The Dark Knight and helped reignite Robert Downey Jr.'s career. The story is straight outta Marvel Comics, complete with an industrial baddie who has his own kick-ass indestructible metallic costume. What makes it all work is the way the filmmakers (including director Jon Favreau) amp each and every frame. The two-disc Ultimate Edition features extended and deleted scenes, plus tons of documentaries and behind-the-scenes info.

DVD

Risky Business 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Warner)

The movie that made Tom Cruise a star celebrates its silver anniversary with some cool bonus material, including screen tests, a documentary, and commentary by Cruise and others. The film is better than you remember. What once seemed like a horny teen romp with prostitutes now plays like an edgy coming-of-age story. It'll have you jumping for joy on the couch - in your underwear, of course.

CD/DVD

U2: Under a Blood Red Sky/Live at Red Rocks (Interscope/Island/UME)

The Joshua Tree made U2 the planet's biggest band, but it all began here. Sky is a 1983 live album featuring War tracks like "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day"; Red Rocks (also from 1983) is a concert video that samples U2's first three records. This two-disc set adds five songs to Red Rocks, making its DVD debut. The image of a young, mullet-sporting Bono waving a white flag has become one of rock's pivotal moments.

mgallucci@clevescene.com