Godgrave
May 15th, 2005, 08:52 AM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/4529451.stm
If you have a Star Wars obsessive in your life, someone who leaves Yoda underpants on the bedroom floor or can't help but do Darth Vader "breathing" impressions into an empty glass, then don't pity them, just try to understand. Back in 1977, there had been nothing as epic, cool and downright fun as Star Wars and nearly 30 years on, there has been nothing to surpass it.
Like Marmite and cartoons, Star Wars is the growing up spread you never grow out of.
A mixed grill of movie history, Lucas' saga knits together the best bits from westerns, swashbucklers, adventure serials, monster epics, Laurel and Hardy (in the guise of R2-D2 and C-3P0), political thrillers, even musicals (remember that swinging Cantina band?) and, through the prism of science fiction, makes them shine like new.
What keeps Star Wars fresh after all this time is its unique timeless quality as it mixes 30s derring-do, 60s mysticism, and 70s hairdos, creator George Lucas' astonishing film-making know-how and a kinetic sense of storytelling that is all its own.
Homespun dialogue
Visual set-pieces, such as the Star Wars opening shot as a spaceship flies over your head and Phantom Menace's no-holds-barred Podrace, fuel the blood, but what keeps you coming back are often the things that Lucas is most criticised for.
Its warm, homespun, dialogue is in direct contrast to most cold sci-fi dialogue, while the sharply defined characters lodge in the memory.
And then there are the performances. Harrison Ford as Han Solo or Ian McDiarmid as Chancellor Palpatine add a recognisable humanity amid all the exotica.
Taken over six films, Star Wars is yarn-spinning on a huge canvas but it never loses sight of the intimate moments.
Daring gambit
When Luke looks out at the twin suns on Tatooine as he dreams of his future, it is an image of adolescent yearning unmatched in all of cinema.
n an age where movies are ironic, jokey and camp, Star Wars has the guts to deal in big emotions and big themes.
It is also a film franchise that takes risks and delivers surprises. Few other blockbusters would have the guts to deliver the daring "Vader is Luke's father" gambit to round off Empire Strikes Back.
In short, Star Wars is the ultimate movie-going experience, built on all the things that makes movies great - speed, wonder, tension, imagination - and the best time you can have in the dark without taking your clothes off.
^ you bet ^_^
My total best Star Wars memory was the time I met Darth Vader and got his autograph. He was appearing out the back of a toyshop in Stafford with a guard signing "Darth Vader" on a piece of Darth Vader paper. There were some big boys sitting on a wall throwing stones at his helmet. I remember being disappointed that Darth didn't use a force choke on them for being naughty. Still got the autograph! I remember watching Return of the Jedi when I was about 7 and not being able to see the screen very well. The man sat in front of me noticed and sat slumped down through the whole film so I could see. I thank that man each time I see ROTJ for being so thoughtful!
Lucy McConnell, Birmingham
Ironically, the more involvement George Lucas has in his films, the worse they are. The Empire Strikes back is the only reasonable film of the lot and while he wrote the story, the screenplay and direction were done by people who knew what they were doing. And the Ewoks and Jar Jar Binks should stay in a galaxy far, far away.
Jon, London
I started working in a hospital a few months ago. Every time I saw one of the hospital's 'modern matrons' with their jet black dresses with red trim, I started to hum the Darth Vader theme tune quietly. They both wield awesome power and have a dangerous aura about them. Thankfully, I have never been caught for my little insurrection.
Melvin, Cambridge
I SO wanted to be Leia in her snow gear in Empire Strikes Back. I wanted to punch Luke and snog Han and chat with 3PO. When we were at Junior School, rumours starting flying round the playground that Darth Vader was about to make a special visit. I nearly wet myself with excitement. Turns out it WAS Vader - well, it was David Prowse who wears the Vader suit but was, at that time, better known as the Green Cross Code Man. We were slightly disappointed, but still could barely believe that the man who had shared airspace with Harrison Ford was telling us not to cross between parked vehicles.
Libby, London, UK Click the link for more stories from fans/ non-fans ... I just picked 2-3 up ^_^
If you have a Star Wars obsessive in your life, someone who leaves Yoda underpants on the bedroom floor or can't help but do Darth Vader "breathing" impressions into an empty glass, then don't pity them, just try to understand. Back in 1977, there had been nothing as epic, cool and downright fun as Star Wars and nearly 30 years on, there has been nothing to surpass it.
Like Marmite and cartoons, Star Wars is the growing up spread you never grow out of.
A mixed grill of movie history, Lucas' saga knits together the best bits from westerns, swashbucklers, adventure serials, monster epics, Laurel and Hardy (in the guise of R2-D2 and C-3P0), political thrillers, even musicals (remember that swinging Cantina band?) and, through the prism of science fiction, makes them shine like new.
What keeps Star Wars fresh after all this time is its unique timeless quality as it mixes 30s derring-do, 60s mysticism, and 70s hairdos, creator George Lucas' astonishing film-making know-how and a kinetic sense of storytelling that is all its own.
Homespun dialogue
Visual set-pieces, such as the Star Wars opening shot as a spaceship flies over your head and Phantom Menace's no-holds-barred Podrace, fuel the blood, but what keeps you coming back are often the things that Lucas is most criticised for.
Its warm, homespun, dialogue is in direct contrast to most cold sci-fi dialogue, while the sharply defined characters lodge in the memory.
And then there are the performances. Harrison Ford as Han Solo or Ian McDiarmid as Chancellor Palpatine add a recognisable humanity amid all the exotica.
Taken over six films, Star Wars is yarn-spinning on a huge canvas but it never loses sight of the intimate moments.
Daring gambit
When Luke looks out at the twin suns on Tatooine as he dreams of his future, it is an image of adolescent yearning unmatched in all of cinema.
n an age where movies are ironic, jokey and camp, Star Wars has the guts to deal in big emotions and big themes.
It is also a film franchise that takes risks and delivers surprises. Few other blockbusters would have the guts to deliver the daring "Vader is Luke's father" gambit to round off Empire Strikes Back.
In short, Star Wars is the ultimate movie-going experience, built on all the things that makes movies great - speed, wonder, tension, imagination - and the best time you can have in the dark without taking your clothes off.
^ you bet ^_^
My total best Star Wars memory was the time I met Darth Vader and got his autograph. He was appearing out the back of a toyshop in Stafford with a guard signing "Darth Vader" on a piece of Darth Vader paper. There were some big boys sitting on a wall throwing stones at his helmet. I remember being disappointed that Darth didn't use a force choke on them for being naughty. Still got the autograph! I remember watching Return of the Jedi when I was about 7 and not being able to see the screen very well. The man sat in front of me noticed and sat slumped down through the whole film so I could see. I thank that man each time I see ROTJ for being so thoughtful!
Lucy McConnell, Birmingham
Ironically, the more involvement George Lucas has in his films, the worse they are. The Empire Strikes back is the only reasonable film of the lot and while he wrote the story, the screenplay and direction were done by people who knew what they were doing. And the Ewoks and Jar Jar Binks should stay in a galaxy far, far away.
Jon, London
I started working in a hospital a few months ago. Every time I saw one of the hospital's 'modern matrons' with their jet black dresses with red trim, I started to hum the Darth Vader theme tune quietly. They both wield awesome power and have a dangerous aura about them. Thankfully, I have never been caught for my little insurrection.
Melvin, Cambridge
I SO wanted to be Leia in her snow gear in Empire Strikes Back. I wanted to punch Luke and snog Han and chat with 3PO. When we were at Junior School, rumours starting flying round the playground that Darth Vader was about to make a special visit. I nearly wet myself with excitement. Turns out it WAS Vader - well, it was David Prowse who wears the Vader suit but was, at that time, better known as the Green Cross Code Man. We were slightly disappointed, but still could barely believe that the man who had shared airspace with Harrison Ford was telling us not to cross between parked vehicles.
Libby, London, UK Click the link for more stories from fans/ non-fans ... I just picked 2-3 up ^_^