I'm a huge Star Wars fan, and have been since the original film came out in 1977. It was a film unlike no other. For a start it began as a trilogy of films, but oddly at episode four (or IV) Eh? What happened to 1, 2 and 3 or I, II and III? The filming and special effects were next level for the time. I recall that special cameras called the Dykstraflex were invented by John Dykstra an American special effects artist, specifically for some of the more complex special effects (SE) shots in the film. Whilst the SE of that 1977 rendition now look dated after 43 years, they came about at a time when you could still see the string in SE shots in the episodes of Dr Who and other sci-fi type films/series of the same era.
It was a real fairly story - heroes, different worlds, a range of villains or varying scariness and nastiness, princesses, many strange animals, cute and no so cute droids, and a modern twist on ancient weapons - the lightsabre is a truly defining weapon in filmography. My friends and I must have seen that original at the cinema loads of times. I've certainly never seen any other film as much.
And as the story has progressed, it's inevitably become more complex with greater twists and turns. The original three films, Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back (most people's favourite, including mine) and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi were all great in my view. After a 16 year hiatus, the story returned with the much first derided Episode I: Phantom Menace (mainly I think because of the Gungan character Jar Jar Binks whom it seems everyone hated. Personally I enjoyed (and still do) Phantom, which has some great scenes. Episode II: Attack of the Clones was also a decent film and then in 2005 a full 28 years after the original film, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith brought the by now, perceived 6 episode story to its conclusion.
How were we to know though then, that ten years on from Revenge of the Sith, Episode VII: The Force Awakens was to pop up on cinema screens, follow by Episode VIII: The Last Jedi two years later and finally last year Episode XI The Rise of Skywalker. Whilst I've enjoyed these latter films, I haven't enjoyed them as much as the earlier ones. Perhaps because I'm just getting older and my tastes have changes, but more likely it's because I find the stories have become a bit weaker. I find that there are some glaring "plot holes" and feel there are some scenes and storylines that are there for convenience rather than holding true to the storyline. That's not to say they're bad though. Maybe I'm just becoming a grumpy old git.
And of course, all the above doesn't include a couple of spin-off films. Solo: A Star Wars Story documenting the early life of rogue, smuggler or pirate (depending on your take) Han Solo, and Rogue One, the story that essentially fits between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope and sets out how the plans for the Death Stars that featured in the very first film, A New Hope were stolen.
The Star Wars universe (the films, books rather than space per se) is absolutely massive, with both canon and non-canon stuff. Mind bogglingly so. For true nerds there are also things like the Star Wars Galaxy Map, an interactive resource that allows you to explore the Star Wars Universe - planets, trade routes and so forth.
We've seen countless worlds, creatures, spaceships, villains, quotes, over the 43 years. It's mostly been a joy, with some real escapism. If I had to pick my favourite moments from all of that it would be nigh on impossible. One of my favourite quotes though comes from that very first film, when Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke, and the two droids R2-D2 and C-3PO are looking towards Mos Eisley spaceport and Obi-Wan says:
You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious.Given we're all in still in lockdown due to this wretched coronavirus, there are worse things to do than sit down and watch the lot back to back.
May The Force Be With You
Until tomorrow....
#isolationlife
#stayhomesavelives
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