Monday, April 21, 2008

Luke Skywalker

These new versions were terrible! The conflict between good and evil was completely lost in Lucas's attempt to make the films technologically sophisticated! Even my fans agree. Sardonicus, faithful “Star Wars Forum” contributer, said: “[Episodes] 1-3 are 'technology' films in many ways. It seemed like Lucas discovered advances in special effects and became a kid in a candy shop” (Why do people n.p.). Sardonicus was right! Lucas never should have abandoned the old ways. The old ways that consisted of well-constructed story lines. But the minute the new episodes began, I said to myself, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this” (Star Wars IV).

The old plot lines were lost. They were clouded with visual effects and fast pace, non-stop action sequences that had nothing to do with the plot. Lucas just wanted to show off his fancy technological skills (watch clip 7 now). The conflict between good and evil was lost. I felt—cold.

Even my father's ambition for power was undermined. If you remember, the original three films focused on Vader and the dark side—he was seduced by power. He tried to convince me to join the dark side as well. But I fought against it. I wasn't afraid.
However, the new films lost this classic, epic struggle between power and submisson. Between the Jedi and Sith. Between good and evil. Instead, technology and love sequences overruled. My father ceased to be seduced by the quick and easy ways of the dark side, and was more like a whiney puppy dog who cried every time his girl friend left the room. This sappy love story is seen as the root of my father's turn to evil. And this struggle unfortunately leaves little time for a good-old fashion story about choosing between the good side and the dark side.

Han Solo

Watch your mouth, kid, or you're gunna find yourself floating home. I have something to say about this. There is a significant difference between the episodes I starred in and the ones I didn’t star in. Episodes 1-3 centered in on the teenage 1st love idea, kicked aside themes, and took over my role with Leia (even though I did play a significant role in defeating the Empire and Luke’s daddy). Anakin and Padme’s relationship, if you can call it that, became the story in episodes 1-3 like collateral damage from the obsession the directors had with the new technology of these blue screens and digital animation (watch clip 11 now). They were so focused on the hyped-up technology that the key themes from my episodes (technology versus nature and good versus evil) ended up like C3PO: stupid ideas and themes that have little to almost no relevance in George Lucas’ story. Might I add, Anakin turned to the dark side unlike me, friend of Luke Skywalker, hero of the Rebel Alliance.

Luke Skywalker

The point is—Lucas failed. In the new movies, he paid more attention to visual effects than he did to the story line. And this led him down the path to darkness. The path to suffering. The path that caused him to stuff his story with worthless, childish love scenes. I only wish I could have saved Lucas. There was still good in him, I've felt it. I could have turned him back—to the good side. But I under-estimated the power of the dark side—of technology. And episodes 1-3 will be ruined forever—he’s failed you, Star Wars fans. But all the same, may the force be with you.

Darth Vader


Fans, you’ve heard what we sense about the fallen themes of nature and technology, of good and evil. During his creation of episodes 1-3, Lucas was seduced by the dark side: technology. Release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy Master Lucas. Or maybe Luke is right about him. Perhaps he can be turned to the good side. Join our Blog and together we can make a petition for the re-making of episodes 1-3. May the Force be with you.

C3PO

Works Cited

Bart, Peter. "Changing of the Guard: New Toppers, New Tactics". Variety 401:7 (2006): 1-2.

Choi, Jinhee. "Naturalizing Hollywood?: Against the Naturalistic Account of Filmic Communication". Film Studies 8 (2006): 149-153

Layton, Raymond. Email interview. 17 April 2008.

Lee, Emery G, III. Film Reviews: "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones." Film & History 32.2 (2002): 102-103. Full Text International Index to Performing Arts. Harold B. Lee Lib., Provo, UT. 19 April 2008. <http://iipa.chadwyck.com.erl.lib.byu.edu/home.do>.

Lucas, George. "Star Wars:Millennium Falcon." Star Wars. 2008. Apr. 2008 http://www.starwars.com/databank/starship/millenniumfalcon/?id=bts.

Reeves, John. "Star Wars I Location." Movie Locations. Feb. 2008. Apr. 2008 http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/s/starwars.html.

Star Wars I-III. Dir. George Lucas. Perf. Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, and Hayden Christensen. DVD. Fox, 1999-2005.


Star Wars IV-VI.
Dir. George Lucas. Perf. Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher. Videocassette. Fox, 1977-83.

"Star Wars Asteroids." Starwars.Com. 2008. Apr. 2008 .

Tracy, Kathy. "Live Action Pulls in More Kidvid Demo". Variety 404:7 (2006): A27.

“Why do people hate episode one so much?” Star Wars Forum. 27 Jan. 2008. Amazon.com. 18 April 2008 .

Wolff, Ellen. "Imagining 'Star Wars': The Evolving Role of Concept Artists Through Three Decades". Millimeter - The Magazine of Motion Picture and Television Production 31:11 (2003): 22-26, 28-30, 32.