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Subject: The Star Wars Saga Authors: George Lucas Available: You're kidding, right?
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With the release of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, the full scope of this epic saga is now revealed. Star Wars is the tragic tale of the rise, the fall, and the ultimate redemption, of Anakin Skywalker (aka Darth Vader). Fearing that everything that he holds dear is threatened, Anakin embraces the darkness in a desperate attempt to save it. Ironically, by choosing this course of action, he only manages to corrupt and destroy the very things that he is trying to protect. Eventually, Anakin does repent of his evil ways, and nobly sacrifices himself to save his only son, thus toppling the dark empire he helped to create, and at the same time elevating himself to his rightful place in the pantheon of heroes.

Perhaps one of the most surprising facets of this saga (especially for those of us who came in on the story halfway through) is that Luke Skywalker is not the main hero of the piece. Instead, this is Darth Vader's story. To those who view the episodes sequentially, Luke Skywalker will be seen primarily as a symbol of hope, since he will represent one last chance for the Jedi to defeat the Emperor and restore their Order. Undoubtedly, Luke will also be perceived as the man that Vader could have been, if only had he chosen differently. This will add a certain measure of pathos to Luke's character, which was not readily apparent to viewers who saw the films out of context.

In a recent interview on Attack of the Show (G4 TechTV) Mark Hamill said that he felt the original Star Wars trilogy and the later prequels should be viewed as two distinct series, rather than as one continuous storyline. This is a valid interpretation, since the first three episodes revolve around an increasingly dark tale about the rise of evil dictator and his seduction of a good, but flawed man, while the last three films are lighthearted, epic style adventure stories, dealing with a battle against a dark empire, and the restoration of a more benign order. When viewed in this context, the first and last three movies are indeed two distinctly separate stories, and the contrast between them is striking. As pronounced, say, as is the contrast between darkness and light

Still, there is an undeniable symmetry embedded in these films. Key events in the first movie are mirrored in the fourth, just as actions in the second movie are echoed in the fifth, and the third in the sixth. This repetition of these basic forms not only serves to create a sense of balance in the overall story, but also establishes an underlying harmonic, as well. So much so, that by the time viewers reach the sixth movie, they'll dread what comes next, because they'll have seen it all before and thus will already know where it inevitably must lead. The pivotal moment when young Luke rejects the Dark Side, thereby breaking the chain of evil and opening the door for his father's redemption, will be one of the most emotionally charged scenes in the entire saga. And the final shot, that of the ghostly Yoda, with the newly redeemed Anakin at his right hand, and kindly Obi-wan at his left, will leave the viewer with a profound sense of warmth and closure; a fitting conclusion to this epic tale.

Hats off to George Lucas, and everyone else associated with the Star Wars films. You have created what will undoubtedly be one of the most brilliant stars in the science fiction universe for many generations to come. Well done!

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Subject: Review of past interviews

Scifihorizon's past interviews:  Listen to... Michael Reaves Marc Zicree Barbra Hambly Steve Saffel Hal Duncan William Gagliani Richard Hatch Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff Current Issue

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Format: Movie

Where: Home DVD

Now the circle is complete. The final piece of the intergalactic puzzle has fallen into place. And, in many, many ways, George Lucas has saved the best for last.

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, details the fall of Anakin Skywalker, and the rise of the Darth Vader. It shows how the Jedi, and the democratic government which they were sworn to protect, were overthrown, to be replaced instead by the oppressive empire of Chancellor Palpatine. And this final chapter also demonstrates that, even in the midst of despair, hope can still shine anew, through the birth of Luke and Leia.

It is expected, at this point, to comment on the dazzling cinematography of this film. However, since Star Wars has been setting the mark in this department for the last three decades, and its spinoff, ILM, has become Hollywood's premiere special effects house, then that seems a bit redundant. This is Star Wars, so you already know that the effects will be top notch, and will set new cinematic standards for all the films that follow.

Ultimately, though, when the glittering veils of flashy special effects are lifted, it is the elegant concept behind them which gives this movie such a broad based appeal. Despite its futuristic setting, Star Wars is, at its heart, a fairy tale. (In choosing a science fiction motif as his backdrop, Lucas was simply giving himself a broader canvas upon which to paint the story.) The subtle blending of two such seemingly diverse elements, the very old, and the very new, contributes immensely to the phenomenal success of Revenge of the Sith, as well as to the rest of the Star Wars saga.

And yet, it is also the contrasting of these same elements, the old and the new, light and darkness, birth and death, which makes this film so powerful. While aficionados will undoubtedly find fault in some of the more esoteric plot elements, ("I remember that she was very beautiful, and very sad." What a memory, eh? Maybe if baby Luke hadn't got the 'here's a hot potato' pass, then he would have remembered mom, too.) Revenge of the Sith still manages to wrap the entire Star Wars saga up in one very nice, neat package. However, it is interesting to note that the two biggest surprises of the original trilogy, that Luke was Vader's son, and that Leia was Luke's sister, will already be known to future audiences, who will view all six films in sequential order.

In spite of the darkness of this particular chapter, this movie is science fiction at it's finest, and so comes highly recommended, both to fans of the genre, and to the casual viewer, as well. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith IS the 'must see' film of the summer of 2005.

That's it for this issue! Join us in the last week of July for Visual Scan: War of the Worlds!
And maybe, just maybe, a surprise interview! Until then!!

The MOTI Group is:

Steve Witt (Content)
Charlie Callahan (Graphic Design)

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