sanity is over-rated

[orangerful]

I just realized something - there has never been a time without Star Wars for me. My friend Becky was just telling me about the first time she saw Darth Vader and how it made her feel. I have no memory of such a time. Star Wars has always been a part of my life. I've always known the story forwards and backwards. Maybe that's why I devour the prequels so quickly, it's something new, a part of the story I didn't know....


Okay people, let's get one thing straight, it's Star Wars. This has been on my mind for the past few days as the fanboys/girls have been arguing about RotS. I love Star Wars, always have and always will. Yes, the prequels are nowhere near as good as the originals, but they amuse me at times and while I'm not in love with them, I am very happy that we had the opportunity to visit the galaxy far far away one last time.

The thing with Star Wars is that it's become such a huge part of our culture that we forget that it is not high art. It was never high art. I don't think Lucas ever intended it to be. Heck, I don't think Lucas ever expected it to be the phenomenon it has become. Lucas really just makes movies for Lucas, and if anyone else likes them, well that's a bonus. That's why he makes no apologies for TPM or AotC or the special edition releases. (And you gotta admire him for standing his ground, if someone made fun of something I did, I'd fall apart and hide in a cave).

But anyway, some peopel are screaming that RotS sucked and other say its' the best movie ever. I have to say that both are wrong. It's a Star Wars movie. It gets it's own special rating, which is why Ebert gave it 4 stars even though it wouldn't stand a chance against a real 4 star movie. But in the world of Star Wars, it earned it's stars.

Also, something to keep in mind when discussing the story (as we have been on the email list I belong to, and with jellibean and persephones_rev) is that it's all linked to archetypes and myths, especially the storytelling. It draws from Romeo&Juliet, Othello, and every hero story ever to create this fantastical myth. And I don't think that's somethign we're used to seeing in our modern society. LotR worked so well because Jackson had Tolkien's stories to use to create his movies. Lucas is trying to write all this stuff on his own. But things like Padme dying of a "broken heart" is so very mythical. It doesn't happen in real life, but I know I've read stories where characters give in like that. Just like Vader's mutilation by Obi-Wan and the Lava. Lucas is heavy handed with his symbolism/metaphors and thats why we have such moments in the movies.

I dunno, people are asking about deleted scenes and such already. I need to see the movie again. I was happy with it the first time around. I found the Obi vs Ani duel to be heartbreaking. I can't even listen to "Battle of Heroes" and enjoy it. I don't see the starfighters of the music video now, I see Anakin, angry, raging, and Obi-Wan, doing his duty like a good Jedi, trying to stop his best friend from hurting anyone else.

Sorry for the rant, it's just been bugging me, and now that I try to put it all into words, the words won't come. I've been mulling this over in my brain every morning since the movie came out.

How about a quiz to lighten the mood?

You scored as Padme Amidala. </td> Padme Amidala 64% Anakin Skywalker 58% Darth Vader 53% Chewbacca 50% Obi Wan Kenobi 47% C-3PO 47% Clone Trooper 42% R2-D2 36% General Grievous 33% Yoda 33% Mace Windu 31% Emperor Palpatine 17% Which Revenge of the Sith Character are you? created with QuizFarm.com

Comments

[vertigozooropa.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean about there always having been a Star Wars. I never had that moment where Darth Vader was revealed to be Luke's father. My earliest memories of Star Wars actually involve playing with the toys, and my friend talking about how Vader is Luke's father.

As for Lucas making films for Lucas, I don't agree. Yes, it's his story by ownership, but it's our story, too. We grew up with it, and we made it what it is. I'm overstating the case, but it feels like betrayal for him to ruin Star Wars like this.

No, it's not high art, but nor is it a Star Wars movie. Not by my standards.

[dstntp1lgr1m.livejournal.com]

Dude, even I can't remember a time without Star Wars. It's like a token part of my family, like Pink Floyd or.... Christmas!!! Sheesh.

I did get frustrated with some of my friends who criticised the movie and picked at the parts that we all knew weren't going to be all that great (the love scenes). WE already know Lucas isn't that kind of writer.

But another friend complained that there were fight scenes that didn't amount to anything. My explanation..... DUH!!!!! it's WAR. It NEVER amounts to anything. PLus.... the movie is called STAR WARS.... not STAR NEGOTIATIONS!!!!! There's supposed to be fighting, so we have something fun to do with the toys when we buy them.

I agree, this is a movie that needs to be graded in its appropriate category. And that is the Star Wars category. You can't compare it to other films, b/c this one is of a calliber all its own.

Don't worry aboutthe Nay-sayers Sam. No one has or ever will consider Star Wars to be a failure, even if they don't understand our "enlightened cult." Shoot. If I had even a walk-on part in any Star Wars movie, I'd be happy as shit :) That's a once in a lifetime thing. Ugh, those picky people..... they just don't know what they are missing. :)

[destertale.livejournal.com]

There's supposed to be fighting, so we have something fun to do with the toys when we buy them.

LOL It's so true! =)

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

tee-hee, you made me smile. :-) thanks! hope your interview went well today, btw!

[dstntp1lgr1m.livejournal.com]

I will make a post shortly...

[sideflip1.livejournal.com]

so i looked at your website with your icons. wow, did you really make all of those?! i saved a few and i'm going to use some. i hope that's ok! i liked quite a few of them. :)

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

yes I did. :-) And it's totally fine if you want to use some, I made them to share. Just remember that if anyone comments on them to send them to my site. :-) I really need to update that thing...

[persephones-rev.livejournal.com]

*laughs* My sister and I always talk about how ingrained SW is in our daily lives. I think I learned a basic morality from the films as a child. And, it's funny that we often use lines, like, 'What the???' in our daily speech... it's that intertwined with us! :D

Lucas really just makes movies for Lucas, and if anyone else likes them, well that's a bonus. That's why he makes no apologies for TPM or AotC or the special edition releases. (And you gotta admire him for standing his ground, if someone made fun of something I did, I'd fall apart and hide in a cave).

That's a great deal why I respect Lucas. I just love him! Though I may not like some aspects of the films, I can still accept them for what they are. Like you said, they are based on myths, and in a sense, have become myths, themselves. I didn't personally like the whole dying of a broken heart, but I can accept it. But, you already know my initial thoughts on this, though they are subject to change after more viewings. :)

Oooh... A quiz... I wanna play!