I’m fed up with all the George Lucas bashing. This man has created two of the greatest franchises in the history of cinema, Star Wars and Indiana Jones and deserves all the respect in the world. The summer movie season began with people being angry about the direction Indiana Jones went in (alien artifacts) and it is ending with people being angry about the direction he is taking Star Wars (too kid friendly). George Lucas ruined Indy! George Lucas is ruining Star Wars! Blah, blah, blah. Give me a break people. There would be no Star Wars or Indiana Jones if Mr. Lucas hadn’t created them in the first place. What does ruin them mean anyway? I didn’t love the prequel trilogy (in comparison to the original), but it certainly hasn’t ruined Empire Strikes Back for me. George Lucas can make 80 terrible Star Wars movies in a row and Empire would still be my favorite movie of all time.
Let’s begin with Indiana Jones. Critics and viewers were kind to the latest installment mostly due to Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg. When the reviews turn to George Lucas’ story, that’s when the bashing begins. The common complaint revolves around Lucas’s choice to have Indy chase after an alien artifact. The horror! Clearly George Lucas has lost his mind! Actually he hasn’t. Raiders of the Lost Ark was meant as a homage to the serials and B movies of the 1930’s and as such was set in that era. Just like those serials, Lucas had the Nazis be a thorn in Indy’s side and his search was for a mystical, religious artifact. With the latest sequel taking place in the 50’s, Lucas decided to pay homage to the B movies of that era, and have Indy chasing after an alien artifact. Dr. Jones searching for an alien relic is too unbelievable. The crystal alien skull is just not realistic. I love that critics were looking for realism in an Indiana Jones movie. Is his search for the ark, an object that when opened, melts people’s faces off (unless you close your eyes) more realistic? Is his search for the cup of Christ, which grants immortality to anyone who drinks from it more believable? Really… they are just as farfetched. Does it matter? The simple answer is no. The Indiana Jones movies have never really been about the end game. They are loved and enjoyed because of the adventure that Indy has in obtaining whatever it is he is looking for. They could have made the latest sequel, Indiana Jones and the Search for King Tut’s Teddy Bear and I would’ve enjoyed it.
I took my kids to see the new animated Star Wars movie, The Clone Wars this weekend and I don’t understand why critics are killing it. My kids loved it and I enjoyed it as well. The story was complex and involving, filled with political intrigue and double crosses. The animation was cool and, yes at times it feels as though you are watching a video game, but wasn’t the line between the look of video games and special effect driven movies blurred a long time ago. I felt like I was watching a video game way back in 1999, the first time I saw The Matrix. I’m a huge Star Wars fan and I admit that the prequel trilogy and The Clone Wars doesn’t come close to the majestic grandeur of the original films, but they’re not terrible movies. They are entertaining as hell. But really… I was 2 years old when I saw the original Star Wars and 8 when Jedi came out. The new trilogy could have been better than the original and it would still fail to capture my imagination the way Star Wars did when I was a kid. That’s not George Lucas’ fault that I’m not as young as I used to be. I would gather to say that you can ask any kid today which trilogy they like better and they’ll say Episodes 1-3. I know my son likes them more and in fact, Anakin is his favorite character. You ask anyone my age who their favorite character is and Anakin doesn’t even make the top 10. For the record, I’ve always been partial to Han Solo. Like he says, “Ancient weapons and kooky religions are no match for a good blaster at your side.” The main complaint I’ve heard about The Clone Wars is that it is watered down and too kid friendly. Hello… McFly… think… McFly… think. Star Wars has always been kid friendly. If it wasn’t, would it still exist today? No, it wouldn’t. I believe Wicket the Ewok would agree with me on this. Are the Ewoks less kid friendly than Jar Jar Binks or Anakin’s new apprentice? The dialogue is too corny in The Clone Wars. Have you ever watched the first 3 movies? The dialogue isn’t exactly Shakespearian. Here are a couple of examples of corny dialogue from the first film.
Princess Leia – “Would somebody get this walking carpet out of my way?”
“Into the garbage chute, flyboy.”
Han Solo – “Making the jump to hyperspace ain’t like dusting crops, boy.”
C3-P0 – “Bless the maker, this oil bath is going to feel so good.”
Luke Skywalker – (whining) “But I was supposed to go to Toshi Station to pick up some power converters.”
Its lines like these that help make up the magic of Star Wars.
During my quest to find why The Clone Wars is being so unfairly beaten up, I stopped at several Star Wars message boards to see what the fans are saying. During this time I discovered that many of them want the series to be darker and have more of an edge. Darker!? Are they kidding!? Star Wars has always had plenty of darkness. Let’s take a look:
Star Wars – The film opens with Imperial Storm Troopers killing Rebel soldiers left and right, Storm Troopers kill Luke’s Aunt and Uncle for no reason, Han Solo kills Greedo in cold blood moments after Ben Kenobi slices Walrusman’s arm. Princess Leia is tortured for information by the Empire, Vader kills Kenobi, Luke’s best friend Biggs gets killed during the assault of the Death Star and… oh, yeah… the Empire commits mass genocide when they destroy Princess Leia’s home planet of Alderaan. Dark enough for you?
Empire Strikes Back – Empire opens with the Empire destroying the new rebel base on the ice planet of Hoth. Many soldiers are killed and the rebels are forced to flee and live on their space ships. Luke is attacked and almost eaten by the Wampa monster. Han Solo is betrayed by an old friend (Lando) and delivered to Darth Vader. Han is frozen in carbonite and sent off to Jabba the Hutt to be executed. Luke gets his hand chopped off and discovers the biggest villain in the galaxy is his father.
Return of the Jedi – Luke is once again almost killed and eaten by a big monster, Leia is chained to Jabba in a tiny bikini and is forced to serve as his concubine, Leia chokes Jabba to death with the chain, Yoda dies, the Emperor tortures Luke to near death and even little, furry Ewoks are killed.
The Phantom Menace – The Trade Federation invades and takes over the peaceful planet of Naboo. The Trade Federation plots to kill Obi -Wan and Qui –Gon, Anakin and his mother are slaves. Jar Jar almost gets killed more times than I can remember; Qui-Gon is killed by Darth Maul who is then cut in half by Obi-Wan.
Attack of the Clones – Anakin and Obi-Wan must thwart an assassination attempt on Padmes life, Anakins mother is kidnapped and tortured by Sand People. When his mother dies, Anakin kills all the Sand People including the children. Anakin and Padme have to marry in secret.
Revenge of the Sith - Where do I begin? Anakin is convinced by the Emperor that he must join the darkside if he wants to save Padmes life. In becoming one with the darkside, Anakin kills his fellow Jedi and then proceeds to the Jedi Temple where he kills the Jedi children. Obi-Wan is forced to fight Anakin and cuts off most of his limbs and leaves him for dead. Padme dies shortly after giving birth to Luke and Leia from a broken heart.
That all seems pretty dark to me and it’s true that The Clone Wars is a more kid friendly movie, but there are some dark elements as well. Jabba the Hutt’s baby is kidnapped by Count Dooku and the Separatists. Dooku tries to convince Jabba that the Jedi are behind the kidnapping and even Jabbas uncle is in on the betrayal. There are even some battle scenes where Clone Troopers are killed. Hardly kid stuff.
In essence the Star Wars movies have always been for both kids and adults. Of course watching the newer Star Wars movies as an adult is going to pale in comparison to watching the originals as a kid. It seems to me that most people are angry at George Lucas for their own loss of childhood innocence. Kids grow up to be adults and by George… that’s not Lucas’ fault.