The Star Wars Mystery Solved.

[nyyki]

I've figured out what is the problem with Star Wars episodes one and two. (Haven't seen three yet.)

George Lucas is a Joseph Campbell fan. As in, a hardcore fan. He's said that Hero with a Thousand Faces was the guiding principle for the original trilogy. And it shows. Campbell himself found the series to be very fascinating, as well he should -- It was based on his theories.

This book outlines the journey of a hero in several myths. And that is exactly what happens to Luke Skywalker. So, George Lucas had a guide.

Joseph Campbell didn't write a book on the evolution of a villan. Lucas is working without a guide here, and it shows.

Comments

But it is based on Campbell as well

[charlayne.livejournal.com]

It's how those who step out of the hero myth do so and what it takes to do so.

The reluctant hero who gets his "head" and begins to believe his own press instead of following the beliefs that the true hero works for others is that story. And what happens when that beginning anti-hero gets pushed to an edge that he has to make a choice that will, no matter which he chooses, chew his soul.

I think, looking on this last one and then back at the first two, he set this up well. No, it's not the "hero conquoring" story that the first three (second three...) were but they are the birth, growth, and fall of the "chosen" hero that begins to believe his own press and is twisted in the process.

I wish they would do the last three, the rebuilding of the Jedi, the teaching of what the force can do to heal the split caused by the Sith.

You really need to go watch this one (even if you have to just listen to it) because it does explain so much about the Sith and the absolute power corrupting.

Re: But it is based on Campbell as well

[nyyki.livejournal.com]

Okay, I can see some of that. However one of the biggest problems with the "first two" in the series is that it's a tale of events and how they affect people, whereas the original trilogy is about people and how they act on events and how they change these events. that's why the first two movies seem rather impersonal to many fans of the original trilogy.

According to Lucas, the last three will never see the light of day. He's done. He's even passingthe series off to someone else for the TV programs.

Thinking about it....

[charlayne.livejournal.com]

I think I remember "Hero" actually quotes Star Wars. I don't have a copy anymore so I can't go and check but I'm almost positive.

And, Lucas wrote 90% of the story in the 70's.

I'm going to have to go back and re-read Hero.

Re: Thinking about it....

[prodigal.livejournal.com]

Vader was not Luke's father until sometime into the writing of Empire Strikes Back.