Star Wars
Although set in a galaxy far far away, Star Wars borrows and steals from much earthbound myth and story. Also, to confuse you the first film is Episode IV. (Don’t ask me about Episode I, II and III. Let's not go there, George)
The basic outline is the classic Hero’s Journey. A yarn as old as myth-making and storytelling. The restless hero Luke gets a call to adventure. He meets his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi; crosses the threshold into action, goes through an ordeal and rebirth. Then comes the final showdown. Along the way, he meets a sidekick, Hans Solo, confronts his antagonist Darth Vader and falls for the love interest, Princess Leia Organa. She also happens to be his sister, which is kinda difficult. Yet, it sorts itself out in the end. The incest undertone is muted.
With us, we have a couple of comedians, R2-D2 and C-3PO. Loaned from Akira Kurosawa’s 'Hidden Fortress', these two narrate the story for a lowly perspective. In support is the faithful hound, Chewbacca. Whilst the Devil Emperor lurks in the background.
With themes of knighthood, chivalry and politics, Star Wars sweeps across many genres. It deals with honour, betrayal, love. Favouring democracy over dictatorship, it gets political. The uniforms and manners of the Empire are direct takes from Nazi Germany. Our plucky rebels the resistance. The attack on the Death Star is stolen scene for scene from ‘The Dam Busters’. Don’t believe me … watch this.
Having said that it's a cracking movie. The mystery of the Jedi plus the overriding theme of defeating the dark side has universal resonance. The effects are awesome, standing the test of time. The movie is now embedded in popular culture. Spawning a whole cottage industry of mimics. Working tirelessly fans seek to render their own versions in books, films and plays. Such is the volume of work produced by the fans, the distinction between the official Star Wars canon and derivative fan work must be drawn.
Bottom line; a rip-roaring adventure, with something for everyone. Enjoy.
The basic outline is the classic Hero’s Journey. A yarn as old as myth-making and storytelling. The restless hero Luke gets a call to adventure. He meets his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi; crosses the threshold into action, goes through an ordeal and rebirth. Then comes the final showdown. Along the way, he meets a sidekick, Hans Solo, confronts his antagonist Darth Vader and falls for the love interest, Princess Leia Organa. She also happens to be his sister, which is kinda difficult. Yet, it sorts itself out in the end. The incest undertone is muted.
With us, we have a couple of comedians, R2-D2 and C-3PO. Loaned from Akira Kurosawa’s 'Hidden Fortress', these two narrate the story for a lowly perspective. In support is the faithful hound, Chewbacca. Whilst the Devil Emperor lurks in the background.
With themes of knighthood, chivalry and politics, Star Wars sweeps across many genres. It deals with honour, betrayal, love. Favouring democracy over dictatorship, it gets political. The uniforms and manners of the Empire are direct takes from Nazi Germany. Our plucky rebels the resistance. The attack on the Death Star is stolen scene for scene from ‘The Dam Busters’. Don’t believe me … watch this.
Having said that it's a cracking movie. The mystery of the Jedi plus the overriding theme of defeating the dark side has universal resonance. The effects are awesome, standing the test of time. The movie is now embedded in popular culture. Spawning a whole cottage industry of mimics. Working tirelessly fans seek to render their own versions in books, films and plays. Such is the volume of work produced by the fans, the distinction between the official Star Wars canon and derivative fan work must be drawn.
Bottom line; a rip-roaring adventure, with something for everyone. Enjoy.