#true talent. awe inducing creativity and it stems from something we love

[000marie198]

I sometimes randomly come across something that blows me away with awe and I think

This fanbase is so fuckin' talented

[sights-on-the-scifi]

THE COMPLETE SIGHTS OF SCIFI STAR WARS REVIEW PART 3.

https://sights-on-the-scifi.tumblr.com/post/189204895641/the-complete-sights-of-scifi-star-wars-review-part PART 2

THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY 1977, 1980, 1983.

The movies that started it all! For this part of the review ill be covering only the theatrical prints of the original movies and not their special editions as I dont view those as legitimate versions of these classics. Ill examine their strengths, their weaknesses and more.

A NEW HOPE/STAR WARS 1977.

What more is there to say about this movie that has not already been said by countless others? This film represents a defining moment in cinematic history and the start of a franchise that has been going strong for 41 years inspiring countless imitators and successors like MASS EFFECT for example. Well, while there is not much new stuff that can be said for the qualities of its storytelling, pacing etc and there are obviously cracks on its surface... There are still things in it that thanks to new media context, have really enriched its universe and appeal to me personally and I assume this is the same for many others.

With age and the media which surrounds it STAR WARS has only gotten better and better so ill be talking about the ways in which this universe both provided a foundation for amazing things to come and in so doing was enhanced by what eventually did so.

AN AWE INSPIRING UNIVERSE BORN OUT OF THE SIMPLEST SCENE.

I dont think it is an exaggeration to say that this famous Cantina scene in STAR WARS is probably almost single handily responsible for making this universe feel so diverse, culturally distinctive and expansive. It was that good at inspiring awe and wonder in audiences that its effects can still be felt in all of STAR WARS media today! What this really was way back in 1977 is simply the filmmakers gathering a collection of random props, makeup effects and alien masks... Putting them on a bunch of actors who were then told to mingle to create the illusion this was a planet full of alien life. But an unexpected result of these simple efforts was that future creators would take all of these elements and use them as a foundation to enrich the universe in small and large ways.

Everything you saw in this Cantina, today has now been given extensive backstory in lore or been reincorporated into future STAR WARS media. Not only that but this scene has also been reinterpreted/reinvented countless times in the series, a part of this franchises identity.

For example who would of thought back in 77 that two random dudes wearing these blue, bulbous space alien masks would become the catalyst for creating an entire species in the STAR WARS universe? What we now call the Duros. Not only that but it would also be a species that gave us memorable characters like Cad Bane and Shriv two personal favourites of mine! :D

Ofcourse you also have the fan favourite Rodians etc.

THE TONE AND AESTHETICS OF A GALAXY AT WAR.

The war depicted in STAR WARS shares a lot true to life parallels with our own world and its history. People have called this series WORLD WAR 2 IN SPACE! and that is because of the obvious fact that well... It is! A band of Rebels in this case standing in for the allied nations fighting for freedom and democracy against a bleak, authoritarian and ruthlessly militant galactic empire who stand in for the Nazi war machine. The costumes for the imperial leadership was intended by the designers to evoke the aesthetics of fascism, this extends to the design of their technology, architecture, military and the naming of the soldiers within it. “Storm troopers” this is the name of an elite branch of German soldiers for example, Darth Vaders helmet also echoes the look of WW2 German soldier headgear. 

Even the actors cast to portray these ruthless characters within the empire share close resemblance to top Nazi leadership. This extends to hair style and individual performances... The leadership is shown to be petty, cruel, spiteful and short tempered arguing over how brutal their tactics should be to incite fear. The tool for which they use to assert dominance and control over the galaxy. Like I described in earlier review post parts, I really love how the new STAR WARS media provides greater clarity and context to this organisation of evil, giving us more reason to despise it and relate to the rebels doing everything they can to stop it.

Take a battle scene from STAR WARS, make it greyscale and put it next to a WW2 movie or real life photo of the conflict and you will see some striking resemblances.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE REBEL ALLIANCE.

The rebels are portrayed in STAR WARS to be much more colourful, given the WW2 parallels this means they also share a lot of resemblances to allied troops and pilots. Their soldiers are less equipped but are much more relatable to the audience because in contrast to the Storm Troopers you can see their faces, you see their fear but also their bravery in the face of this relentless enemy especially in the opening sequence as they defend the princess from imperial forces. Women are also shown to be play an active role in the politics of this galaxy and even the fighting as Leia resists interrogation and can even defend herself if need be. 

Future STAR WARS media really expands and deepens the relatability of this alliance by showing us the reasons they fight against this fascist empire. Also the diversity of their leadership and forces are shown to us with the inclusion of species from all over the galaxy come RETURN OF THE JEDI be that with the famous Mon Calamari Admiral Ackbar or Rogue one’s Admiral Raddus.

THE MUSIC OF STAR WARS.

Without John Williams score it is safe to say that this franchise would of not been as successful as it was. The emotions it generates and the way it themes the struggle between good and evil is breathtaking even years later, other composers have been chasing its shadow ever since too, with varying degrees of success.

Its classic symphony orchestra at its finest. This kind of soundtrack is also widely used in most WW2 film media.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

This movie has been called a masterpiece and for good reason as it takes what was established in the first movie and expands on it in incredibly unique and also dark ways all with sleek film making techniques. Showing our characters at their lowest point, providing shocking story revelations, expanding the true meaning of the force and more... This was all accomplished not by Lucas this time but by director Irvin Kershner which brings up a very important point. STAR WARS is truly at its best when its given to different directors who can really take a good long look at this rather simplistic source material and then reinterpret in a unique way to become something greater.

STAR WARS owes its success to the talents of not one, but thousands of people all in many different creative departments too especially the music for example.

Through the eyes of Irvin Kershner we get a much darker, but much more complex vision of the STAR WARS universe and its great cast of both new and returning characters. To this day the EMPIRE STRIKES BACK serves as the gold standard for what constitutes a greater follow up to a science fiction story or its middle chapter. MASS EFFECT 2 for example is a game that tried to echo this films darkness and more complex story directions, which can be felt in the visual design, narrative themes and more.

Without EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, this franchise would have not had the boost it needed to go from being simply popular to then being cemented in the pop cultural conscious for years to come. So much of this movie is now essential to the franchise canon and identity that Lucas’s prequel trilogy also tried to chase its shadow with ATTACK OF THE CLONES and REVENGE OF THE SITH with mixed success...

I love it, perhaps even more than the first movie which is a rare feat for a sequel to pull off.

RETURN OF THE JEDI.

This final movie for me has to be the weakest link in the original trilogy... It serves as the STAR WARS franchise’s crossroads title, wherein the values that defined this series started to become a little strange, distorted and perhaps even altered in detrimental ways. If you want to know where the bizarre humour, crazy dialogue and more in the STAR WARS prequels originates from for example. Welp, this is your answer unfortunately...

RETURN OF THE JEDI in comparison to the first two movies is weaker in terms of pacing, themes, cinematography, originality and more. A lot of this stems from the fact its not trying to be as bold and risk taking as the EMPIRE STRIKES BACK for example, it is silly and self referential in a way that it distracts from the areas it does succeed at. All of this is in service to the franchise embracing its marketability over true creativity...

I still love the final confrontation between the Emperor, Luke and Vader... The battle to destroy the second DeathStar or the fun if a bit nonsensical rescue of Han Solo in the opening. But I dont love the Ewoks, the groan inducing dialogue, or the rubbish comedy that damages the overall tone and stagnates the middle of the story.

RETURN OF THE JEDI is still a fun adventure, just not the most solid... In general a third entry in a science fiction franchise is never going to be as good as the first two. So perhaps it was to be expected.

Welp! That is it for this retrospective of the original trilogy! :D Still there is more to come as we look at the media that will take us into THE FORCE AWAKENS so stay tuned for that!.