Star Wars

[...]

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..."

Star Wars is an American space opera/sci-fi franchise created no other than the man known as George Lucas. Starting with the film simply known as Star Wars (later to be renamed as A New Hope), released in the May of 1977 across 32 theaters, breaking numerous box office records, and gaining massive critical acclaim. The film became one of the first blockbuster films, and today had grossed over $760 million worldwide when not adjusted for inflation, and when it is, it is the third-highest grossing film worldwide. The original film was notable for its incredible use of special effects and CGI, which of those were much ahead of its time, along with it's stellar fantasy/science fiction storytelling. It's come to say that the original Star Wars is considered revolutionary, and one of the most successful and influential films of all time, later winning numerous Academy Awards, even having a place in the American Film Institute.

 

The success of the first film spawned two sequels, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of The Jedi, released in 1980 and 1983 respectively. Both sequels were commercial and critical successes, with many considering The Empire Strikes Back to be the greatest science fiction film of all time, whilst considering Return Of The Jedi to be the weakest film of the original trilogy. The original trilogy consisting of the three films shows the Rebel Alliance attempting to overthrow the tyranny of the First Galactic Empire, led by Sith lords Palpatine and Darth Vader, with their incredibly lethal Death Star (which is capable of destroying an entire planet, later being rebuilt in V and VI), along with the help of a farm boy named Luke Skywalker, going on a mission with former Jedi master Obi-Wan/Ben Kenobi, and the rebel leader Princess Leia to save the galaxy, and free it from the Galactic Empire.

Later on, the Star Wars movie went to spawn a massive multimedia franchise outside of film, including cartoons, books, video games, toys, and comic books. Since 2012, all six films in the series including the theatrical Clone Wars film released in 2008 totaled up $4.49 billion worldwide, making it the third highest-grossing film franchise of all time. 16 years after the release of Return of The Jedi, a prequel trilogy was begun with the film, Episode I: The Phantom Menace in order to show the events leading up to the original trilogy. After massive hype, the movie was released in 1999. While it gained lukewarm reception, but went to eventually become the highest grossing Star Wars film of all-time un-adjusted for inflation, grossing $1 billion worldwide. Two other films, Episode II: Attack of The Clones and Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith followed in 2002 and 2005, with II getting more positive reception, and III becoming the second highest-grossing Star Wars film, totaling at over $850 million worldwide, and becoming the 3rd highest rated film in the franchise, considered by critics and fans alike to be the strongest of the prequels, and the best Star Wars film since The Empire Strikes Back. A sequel trilogy, taking place after the original trilogy, will begin once Episode VII is released in 2015, with episodes VIII and IX following at 2 to 3 year intervals.

I must say, this franchise was my childhood. Ever since watching Episode I on DVD once with my family years ago, I was captivated by the action sequences and the characters, and even going on to later see the original trilogy, and Episode II on DVD. I remember watching numerous trailers for Episode III, eager with anticipation and happiness, and then, sadly missing out on it due to the fact it was PG-13, and I was 6 at the time of it's release. I collected numerous toys, watched the Clone Wars cartoon on Cartoon Network by Genndy Tartakovsky, and I always wanted the latest lightsaber toy or Star Wars book. It would be safe to say back then, Star Wars was my addiction. Though, I eventually lost track of it, and I slowly started getting back in the franchise when I finally got to see Episode III in 2009 on DVD, and I was amazed.

I also got to watch the more recent The Clone Wars on Cartoon Network (and still do time to time), and loved it. On terms of the prequels, after getting to recently marathon them last weekend, I am not fond of I or II anymore (though both had shining moments), though I still see III as my favorite Star Wars movie next to V. And I still see the original trilogy as something special, three simple masterpieces of filming. One thing I forgot to mention, the score for Star Wars films by John Williams

And it's only a small speck still out of the many great tracks in the franchise. How were you introduced to the franchise in any way (if at all), what are some of your favorite characters and moments from the films, and what are some things you get outside of the franchise, such as books/comics or video games? Edited April 20, 2015 by Felix

[Crash]

Thank you for making this topic, you have become the greatest person in the history of..... of....... of...... Coco Pops (I got nothing.).

I'm not sure how I was introduced to Star Wars but I do know that it was at a very young age. I remember watching The Clone Wars film and thought it was terrible, although the show is meh, not dreadful but just, meh.

The original trilogy however, well they are the best films ever, ever, ever.

[Shrek]

I'm surprised this topic hasn't already been made, honestly.

The Star Wars trilogy are timeless movies that seemingly get better each time you watch them, with the Empire Strikes Back being my personal favorite. They've aged really well and don't feel too outdated, and they are truly exemplary on how to make a good Sci-Fi movie, or a good movie in general. The series crafts many likeable characters, unique worlds, and so much iconic imagery that's it's practically burned into your mind, even if you haven't seen the films. Seriously, who hasn't heard of Darth Vader?

That being said, I don't mind the prequels either. They're not masterpieces like the originals, but I wouldn't say they're awful, and I can think of plenty of movies from the past 5 years that are much worse. Like maybe a certain movie with Transforming robots. Revenge of the Sith is my favorite out of this batch, mainly due to a certain badass Cyborg General with a cool voice.

I'm really looking forward to the new movies, and hopefully the new management understands what made the Original Trilogy so great (Unlike George himself...) and they'll try to replicate it. And if they fail, I'll probably still enjoy them anyway.

[Solkia]

Fuck that stupid ass uguu-eyes bullshit known as Clone Wars.

I love Star Wars. I enjoyed the Prequels too. I remember playing Rouge Squadron on N64 back when rental stores were relevant. Awesome game.

And those Lego kits. My god, those Lego kits.

[Crash]

Lego Star Wars. I was big on it a few years ago but now I know that it's a scary habit.

I always wanted this but I never got it, better off without it to be honest.

[Solkia]

Lego Star Wars. I was big on it a few years ago but now I know that it's a scary habit.

I always wanted this but I never got it, better off without it to be honest.

That shit tortured me when I was a subscriber to Lego Magazine.

I always wanted that soooooo bad.

The Death Star one too.

And the Imperial Star Destroyer.

Loved that shit.

[Shrek]

That shit tortured me when I was a subscriber to Lego Magazine.

I always wanted that soooooo bad.

The Death Star one too.

And the Imperial Star Destroyer.

Loved that shit.

I have tons of disassembled Lego Star Wars sets in my room, pretty much every set minus the exclusives up until the Clone Wars came out. It would take years to rebuild them all. My favorite set was 10123 Cloud City and both older versions of the Millennium Falcon, I played the hell out of those until they just fell apart. I remember saving up money for the Death Star set but in the end I decided against it, it was probably for the best.

[Crash]

My friend (more of a bragger then a friend) had The Millennium Falcon, The Death Star II, The Imperial Star Destroyer and that red ship from The Phantom Menace. He also had the ship from the beginning of Star Wars (A New Hope). All of these were in Lego form and I was very, very jealous of him.

[Crash]

Might as well bring up the Lego games while I'm at it:

I haven't played number 3 but I have played and enjoyed the other three. The Complete Saga is probably my favourite of the three because it's the first two together and they fixed some of the bugs and made some of the atrocious levels good. I think the Lego games have been a good thing for gaming, even if they seem to make an endless amount of them.

[188Eternal]

I was introduced to Episode4 in either 1993 or 1994. Then I watched the rest of the original trilogy in 1996 as a result of becoming hooked on the FPS game Star Wars: Dark Forces (which was as impressive to me as DOOM had been).

So yeah, I was basically able to experience the whole original trilogy on rented VHS tapes shortly before the prequels came out...

And when the prequels finally came out then I obviously got to experience them on the big screen at the theatres.

Now I have all 6 episodes on a single DVD, thanks to the wonderful invention of DivX encoding.

And I also have ROMs of Star Wars videogames on emulators of the GBA and the Super Nintendo, although those are extremely hard to beat. I've yet to beat them.

I also own a copy of Star Wars: The Essential Chronology which allowed me to instantly gain massive insight and knowledge into the Expanded Universe despite the fact that I haven't yet read most of those little novels.

[Patticus]

Why didn't you watch the original trilogy when it got its theatrical re-release?

[Crash]

Star Wars: The Essential Chronology huh?

Is this the one because I'll most likely add it to my Christmas list.

[188Eternal]

Why didn't you watch the original trilogy when it got its theatrical re-release?

I was thinking about it, but by the time I've made the decision the Special Editions were already at the stores and rentals instead of the theatres.

Star Wars: The Essential Chronology huh?

Is this the one because I'll most likely add it to my Christmas list.

No, the one that I have was published in the year 2000 by Kevin J. Anderson and Daniel Wallace,

This is what it looks like:

So it's a bit outdated than the one you're getting, but it was still crammed with more information than I could shake a lightsaber at.

Edited November 29, 2012 by 188DarkRevived

[Crash]

I was thinking about it, but by the time I've made the decision the Special Editions were already at the stores and rentals instead of the theatres.

No, the one that I have was published in the year 2000 by Kevin J. Anderson and Daniel Wallace,

This is what it looks like:

So it's a bit outdated than the one you're getting, but it was still crammed with more information than I could shake a lightsaber at.

Okay, thanks very much.

[Patticus]

I was thinking about it, but by the time I've made the decision the Special Editions were already at the stores and rentals instead of the theatres.

You missed out on an opportunity to watch them on the big screen. Dude. Dudebro. Why? It's not as if they're shown in theaters all the time, and these are some seriously iconic films.

You should've grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

[Lamor]

I freaking LOVE Star Wars. Empire Strikes Back and a New Hope are easily my favourite movies EVER. I loved all the other chapters too minus Phantom Menace. I have mixed feelings towards that one.

On the side note it really pisses me off that some of my Schoolmates think that SW is shit.

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Might as well bring up the Lego games while I'm at it:

I haven't played number 3 but I have played and enjoyed the other three. The Complete Saga is probably my favourite of the three because it's the first two together and they fixed some of the bugs and made some of the atrocious levels good. I think the Lego games have been a good thing for gaming, even if they seem to make an endless amount of them.

God, I LOVED playing Lego Star Wars on my PS2 all those years ago.. time flies... I should really get The Complete Saga one day.

Also, did anyone remember THIS game?

This is seriously my favorite Star Wars game of all-time, bar none.

[Solkia]

Oh my god, Battlefront is the most amazing Star Wars game out there.

[Patticus]

Battlefront was okay, but as a Star Wars experience it had nothing on the Rogue Squadron games. It doesn't get better than taking on a Star Destroyer all by yourself as TIE Fighters whiz past, lasers flying everyhere.

[SuperStingray]

I'm one of the odd people in my generation that wasn't brought up on Star Wars. First one I saw was Episode 1 when I was 7 and I couldn't really follow it, so I never had the chance to get hooked into the series. Since then, it's been so ubiquitous in western culture that I was too intimidated by the scale of the franchise to take interest, and even then I pretty much knew everything there was to know about it on accident through pop culture references and parodies. I did finally see the original trilogy last year, though after I finally internalized the fact that I was missing something pretty fucking important.

I thought the fact that it was all spoiled for me would ruin it, but I did end up loving it. Really, A New Hope definitely stands now as one of my favorite movies ever. It's amazing how well it holds up for a thirty-year old series.

[Crash]

Sorry, I had to. Battlefront 2 is great as is the original.

[SuperLink]

So guys how's about Darth Vader being revived from the dead in Episode VII http://sciencefiction.com/2012/11/13/darth-vader-returning-for-star-wars-episode-vii/

[Nix]

Sorry, I had to. Battlefront 2 is great as is the original.

You know, I still want a Force Unleashed III.

Mostly to see if they can salvage the train wreck that was Force Unleashed II's story. The games are fun tho'. II would be absolutely fantastic if the levels weren't repetitive as hell. The Endor DLC was pretty nifty and it was at least half the size of a normal level. Short, sweet, and to the point.

Edited November 29, 2012 by Pinkamina

[Patticus]

So guys how's about Darth Vader being revived from the dead in Episode VII http://sciencefictio...rs-episode-vii/

It's almost as if we're about to relive discussions already had in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy thread just down the page!

As Pegasus said, the next trilogy might well be related to the long, dark shadow cast by Anakin over the lives of his descendants and of the galaxy at large, and it may also include Luke or the Solo children struggling against the temptations of the Dark Side. There's a fair bit of scope for Anakin's influence to pervade the whole trilogy.

In short: They can be clever and bring Anakin back without actually bringing him back, and given the fact that the first two trilogies were all about his fall and redemption, it seems likely that he will return in some form, along with other original cast members. Given the portfolio of the lead writer of the incoming sequel trilogy, Michael Arndt, and the fact that Lawrence Kasdan of Episode V fame has signed on too, and that list of possible directors, I am confident that they will do the sequel trilogy right.

[Crash]

So guys how's about Darth Vader being revived from the dead in Episode VII http://sciencefictio...rs-episode-vii/

I don't want to talk about it......

You know, I still want a Force Unleashed III.

Mostly to see if they can salvage the train wreck that was Force Unleashed II's story. The games are fun tho'. II would be absolutely fantastic if the levels weren't repetitive as hell. The Endor DLC was pretty nifty and it was at least half the size of a normal level. Short, sweet, and to the point.

I also still want a Force Unleashed 3. They still have a few story gaps, Darth Vader escaping, Boba Fett following the Rouge Shadow. Oh yeah I almost forgot the best reason to make a third one, The Dark Apprentice.