Yes, it's me. The only person who hadn't seen Star Wars... until a few days ago! I have had the trilogy in the back of my head for years, but simply couldn't get over my idea of sci-fi not being "my piece of cake". In fact, I had been very fascinated by Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey and Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth, so I don't know why the hell I couldn't accept that sci-fi was indeed one of the thickest layers in my piece of cake. But prejudice isn't easy to overcome, and I had to wait for the right kind of Doctor to arrive until I finally got it.
As for Star Wars, there's still a lot of other things to have prejudice about than just the genre. For example, prejudice against its ability to sustain suspense. I did know a lot of its content (light sabers, Storm Troopers - which I almost connect more to HIMYM than to Star Wars, the soundtrack, all the characters) and I had seen parts of the movies. Parts that I hated. Because I saw them randomly, out of order and in my most girlish phase of teenage. Despite this, and mainly due to my love for Doctor Who and a generally growing maturity, I made the decision to watch Star Wars early this year and now my mission is finally completed, for I have seen The Trilogy and thus am now officially human. Now, a lot of things have been said about Star Wars so far. I mean, there's far too much fan art for sane beings out there (one of the most awesome tumblr tags I've explored so far) and as I heard on a podcast a while ago, there's a Star Wars version of literally everything - which I agree with. I still think I have something to say about it though, because there's one big advantage I have that many other people don't have: I just saw it for the first time. So here are my thoughts on Star Wars...
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| Just the right amount of romance to keep it interesting |
THE STORY
Not very original: good vs. evil. Even the fight inside Luke wasn't really anything. But then again, I like good vs. evil however unoriginal it may be. After all, it's what all stories are about in one way or another, and Star Wars - like many other franchises - shows it in a very escapist black-and-white sort of way, which is ok because there's a lot of other original stuff going on. In that way, it reminds me a lot of the Lord of the Rings trilogy - unoriginal story at its core, but awesome because of the details and the execution.
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| Star Wars actually is a lot of fun! |
THE CHARACTERS
Luke Skywalker - Obviously gay and delivering some unforgettable, unintentionally funny moments. Actually every moment he's in. He even seems to be flirting with R2-D2.
Princess Leia - A surprisingly strong female character. I'm trying to find the cracks in her strong-female-shell but can't think of any. Except maybe her long hair.
Han Solo - The dash of chili in the otherwise more or less gay a-sexual universe of Star Wars, and the person with the coolest one-liners.
Yoda - Reminded me of my German teacher. Very mad and very funny. I'm not sure what to think of Nik calling me a blogging Yoda... although that was a while ago.
Darth Vader - Again, not as impressing as he was probably meant to be. But then again, a hundred times cooler than his son *spoiler*.
Obi-wan Kenobi - The grandfather from Little Lord Fauntleroy! Sorry, but that was my first thought when I saw him. Gotta love The Earl of Dorincourt Alec Guiness.
R2-D2 - Very cute. Suprising how much character an android can have although there's another one that steals the show from everyone (except maybe Han)...
C-3PO - Possibly my favourite character from the whole trilogy. He even was the most human of all! And I loved his oh-so British politeness.
THE SOUNDTRACK
Admittedly quite ingenious. There's a reason why everyone knows it; it's so damn catching and rememberable. We were singing along to it all the time. I wish I'd heard it right at the beginning of it all though, when it was still fresh and unused - in the 70s I mean. Wonder how that would have been like.
THE EFFECTS
I have no idea how Kubrick created his effects for 2001, but if anything else isn't, this is the proof that he was a genius. Sadly, this lessened the power of the effects in Star Wars for me, at least in the first movie. Researching on how they created the effects though, I did grow fond of Lucas' inventiveness - and honestly, they do look good for the 70s/ 80s. The new Death Star in particular stood out for me.
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| Han Solo in action |
THE COSTUMES
I could have written an entire Fabulous Filmic Fashion post on them, but I figured that they were too overexposed already. Most characters only had one or two different outfits which fit their personality very well, although I found the change of Luke's "colour" from white to black a bit too in-your-face. That futuristic bikini Princess Leia wore in Return of the Jedi most certainly would have caused a debate these days, I personally didn't find it all too concerning. Carrie Fisher does have a great body, so why not show it off? But my highlight in costumes were the various aliens, brought to live in true Doctor-Who manner with real costumes and real actors. All of them are so famous as well, and it all started with this one movie... makes you think.
THE FRANCHISE ITSELF
It is mind-baffling to see these movies that have had such a great impact on pop culture. Knowing most of the components and just watching them fit together and create that great bubble of awesomeness that made Star Wars what it is today, is something I should've done ages ago. It's a franchise that doesn't take itself too seriously in the points it shouldn't (which makes it a very funny and entertaining franchise) and one that does take itself seriously when needed (hence the iconic props, characters, lines etc.). I really can't wait to re-watch Star Wars in three years. And three years after that. And three years after that. And I swear: my children are going to watch The Trilogy before they can spell light saber. Because I wish I had.
STRAWBERRY EXPLOSION!
Hahaha, I meant it in a wise way :P
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the movies :D
I know ;) They are cool, so I definitely want to see episode 1-3 even though they're supposed to be bad. Plus Clone Wars.
DeleteAnd I just saw they're going to make episode 7!
It's awesome that you finally were able to check out the trilogy. It's so rare to hear a fresh take on the movies, which I grew up with and know so well. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I'm loving the new podcast!
On one hand I'd have loved growing up with it, but on the other it's interesting to not have.
DeleteThanks, Dan! I'll tell the others :)
I'm glad you got to see these. It's strange for me to think of someone seeing these for the first time as an adult. These movies were a huge part of my childhood. I also shamelessly dressed my son up as Yoda for Halloween last year.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that - it's the same with me and people who haven't seen Harry Potter, which was a huuuge part of my childhood.
DeleteYou gave in to the dark side! I still haven't seen Star Wars, only a few clips here and there --which were like so cheesy. My friends even screened it in my dorm room once and I did not pay attention and just browsed stuff on my laptop.
ReplyDeleteIt seems you used to have the same reaction to it that I currently have, so your saying that in the context of the film the "cheesy" scenes make sense and contribute to the atmosphere gives me a little less hesitance to get around to seeing Star Wars. We'll see. An interesting review since it comes from a fresh pair of eyes.
You should come too, they have cookies ;). No, honestly, this is a really good and entertaining piece of cinema - apart from the fact that it's so iconic. I did have exactly the same attitude towards Star Wars that you have; my Danish guest parents watch it almost every summer but I never really paid attention, so the parts that I saw out of context seemed like crap. But when you watch it from beginning to ending, it all makes sense.
DeleteI'm not saying there aren't cheesy parts, but they really don't lessen the fun of it.
Great post. It's cool to read a review of a film that is not written by a fanboy. I agree that the effects, cinematograpy, score(even though not original) was better used in 2001. But the real appeal of Star Wars for me wasn't the effects but it was the classic story. It's a medival tale of pirates, princesess, a boy that learns to be a prince and and evil King. It just all happens to be set in space. I read that Lucas was influenced by those old classic tales and want to put a new spin on it.
ReplyDeleteYes. As I said, it reminds me of LOTR in that aspect, although medieval influence is more common in fantasy than in sci-fi, or was until Star Wars.
DeleteThanks!
How could I pass up reading this after I saw the title?
ReplyDeleteI think these are some of those films that loses a bit of its luster in direct correlation to how old you are when you first watch them. I was 6 when I first watched Star Wars and it certainly expanded the way I thought about movies. All 6 of those films are in heavy rotation among my boys favorite films.
Maybe, but being 18 at the moment, I still loved them. However, they'll never be as much a part of my life as the movies I watched as a kid, so I see your point.
DeleteAah...glad you gave this a go, and enjoyed it too. You see the power of the force is too strong to resist. Your thoughts on the franchise sounds like you've become a fanboy like so many of us has. So welcome to the dark side of the force! :)
ReplyDeleteI think the correct term would be fangirl, but yes :) Once I revisit the franchise I'll definitely be able to call myself one. Or once I get my hands on one of those Darth Vader teddies...
DeleteThey are flawed, but I love the original three, I don't even mind the prequels.
ReplyDeleteNice post!
Thanks for you comment! As I said to a couple of persons, I'll probably watch the prequels some time...
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