It seems that my generation, those of us around 30, have forgotten about the flaws of the original trilogy and have unfairly measured the new trilogy against our idealized and nostalgic recollections. We have also forgotten how young and impressionable we were the first time we saw Star Wars. Most of us were from ages 5 to 10 when we were first introduced to the Star Wars saga. As children, we didn't care much about the weak plot, we didn't notice the occasionally corny dialogue; we weren't bothered by some of the flat acting. All we cared about was the great special effects, the awesome action sequences, the nifty getups worn by the villains, the exotic locations, the huge spaceships, the hinted-at yet never-fully-explained spiritual system known as The Force. It was a swash-buckling space adventure fantasy to help us escape everyday life. It worked for us as little boys (and some girls), but we are unrealistic to expect it to have the same affect on us as adult men.

During my second viewing of 'Star Wars - Episode III, Revenge of the Sith' (I saw it at 12:01 am and then at 4:10 pm on May 19th), I realized that many of us are not so much frustrated with George Lucas for not continuing the fine tradition of the original trilogy. We're frustrated with him for not being able to turn back the clock and restore to us that idealistic innocence we had the first time we saw Star Wars. We're adults now. Go watch the original trilogy through your adult eyes and you will see the inherent silliness was always there. Go watch The Bionic Woman, Little House on the Prairie, The Facts of Life, Silver Spoons, through your adult eyes, and you will see the same. The impressionability of youth allowed us to see past and excuse many of George Lucas' failings as a director and writer. George Lucas hasn't lost his touch. We've lost our youth.

On the other hand, even George Lucas himself admitted that there isn't much story to this new trilogy -- or at the very least he spread it very thin. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lucas admitted that about 60% of the story of the prequels can be found in 'Star Wars - Episode III, Revenge of the Sith', with 20% being found in Episode I and 20% in Episode II. The rest, he admitted, is filler -- pretty special effects to delight the eyes. Lucas explained that this prequel trilogy was written merely as a back-story to support character placement and development in Episodes IV through VI. He said that he could've rewritten the story of the prequel trilogy in order to make it more intricate and sophisticated, but he wanted to keep the prequels true to the back-story that he had written back in the early 1970s.

If you go into 'Star Wars - Episode III, Revenge of the Sith' hoping for it to rekindle your childhood, then you will be disappointed. If you accept Revenge of the Sith for what it is -- a fun, sci-fi, popcorn movie for the masses -- then you'll enjoy yourself.

Andrew Michael Parodi

Currently on the News Rack:

'Wired'

'GQ'

The Star Wars series on DVD

'Star Wars - Episode I, The Phantom Menace (Widescreen Edition)'

'Star Wars - Episode II, Attack of the Clones (Widescreen Edition)'

'Star Wars - Episode III, Revenge of the Sith' (This is a link to the movie listing. Obviously, a DVD of this movie is not yet available.)

'Star Wars Trilogy (Widescreen Edition)'

The Star Wars Series on VHS

'Star Wars - Episode I, The Phantom Menace'

'Star Wars - Episode II, Attack of the Clones'

'Star Wars - Episode III, Revenge of the Sith'

'Star Wars - Episode IV, A New Hope (Special Edition)'

'Star Wars - Episode V, The Empire Strikes Back (Special Edition)'

'Star Wars - Episode VI, Return of the Jedi (Special Edition)'

Books about Episode III

'Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith'

'The Art of Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith'

'The Making of Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith'

'The Visual Dictionary of Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith'

'Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (Graphic Novel)'

'Labyrinth of Evil (Star Wars, Episode III Prequel Novel)'

'BUNDLED TITLE: Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith -- The Illustrated Screenplay & The Making of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith -- The Final C'

'Incredible Cross-sections of Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith: The Definitive Guide to Spaceships and Vehicles'

'Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (Jr. Novelization)'

'Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith : Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides)'

'Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (Ultimate Sticker Book)'

'Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (Sticker Book)'

'Revenge of the Sith Scrapbook (Star Wars)'

Episode III: Revenge of the Toys!

'Darth Vader (Episode III) Life-Size Standup Poster' (This is a poster.)

'PS2 Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'

'Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'

'Lego Stories and Action Star Wars Episode III Clone Turbo Tank (7261)'

'Star Wars Episode III Attacktix Starter Set'

'Star Wars Episode III Evolution Figure: Anakin to Vader Multipack'

'Lego Stories and Action Star Wars Episode III Ultimate Lightsaber Duel (7257)'

'Lego Stories and Action Star Wars Episode III Clone Scout Walker (7250)'

'Lego Stories and Action Star Wars Episode III General Grievous Chase (7255)'

'GBA Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith'

'Lego Stories and Action Star Wars Episode III Darth Vader Transformation (7251)'

'Star Wars Episode III Darth Vader Action Set'

'Star Wars Episode III Mustafar Playset'

'Star Wars Episode III Basic Figure: Wookiee Warrior'

'Star Wars Episode III Evolution Figure: Clone Trooper'

Episode III Soundtrack

'Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'

George Lucas

'Droidmaker: George Lucas and the Digital Revolution'

'The Cinema of George Lucas'

'George Lucas the Creative Impulse'

'Skywalking: The Life and Films of George Lucas'

'George Lucas: Close Up: The Making of His Movies (Close Up)'

'George Lucas: Interviews (Conversations With Filmmakers Series)'

The Mythology of the Star Wars saga

The Star Wars saga is largely influenced by the works of late "mythologist" Joseph Campbell, particularly by his book 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces (Mythos Books)'.

'Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth' is a series of interviews with Joseph Campbell which were recorded in the library of George Lucas's "Skywalker Ranch"; the DVD edition even includes "The Mythology of Star Wars," a 14 minute interview with George Lucas.

Understanding the philosophical foundation of the Star Wars saga will add a different dimension to your enjoyment of it.

The Glove of Darth Vader (Star Wars, Book 1) (Paperback)


Book Description
Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and the Rebel Alliance have fought valiantly against the evil Galactic Empire. Together they have kept alive the hopes for freedom, and helped restore the ways of the Old Republic with its wise Senate and noble line of Jedi Knights. But now a new threat awaits the Alliance.

Within the evil Empire, the surviving Imperial warlords have been fighting among themselves for power. No one knows who will seize control, but the Prophets of the Dark Side have foretold that soon a new Emperor will arise, and on his right hand he shall wear an indestructible symbol of evil.

Review: Wonderful littles stories to read to the kids
I think these books take place after Truce at Bakura So I have placed themon the timeline at year 5 and 6 ANH. Are these 12 year old books worth reading? Who should read them?

I came across 3 of these, books 1, 4 and 6 of 6 written b the Davids. They are simple stories and come illustrated in simple pen and ink. They are not relavent to the EU, but they are nice little stories about the star wars characters for you listeners and readers. When reading to the young you need help holding their attention especially my ADHD son. Pictures help. That is also why I have turned to buying and reading the dark horse comics about star wars.

Which is better? I like the comics better, but sometimes, with all those beautifully colored and inked pictures and the varying panels, it is hard for the kids to follow. But these simple little bantam Skylark books are sometimes perfect. Amazon actually had 73 new and used of the 1st book in the series when I wrote this in 2003.

Review: a book for junior Star Wars readers
This book in my opinion is for kids 6-10,no older. When the evil self-proclaimed son of the emperor Trioculus takes hold of the throne (with the help of Grand Moff Hissa & the Commitee of Grand Moffs),only Luke and his friends can stop him. Now Trioculus must find the indestructible right-hand Glove of Darth Vader. Supreme Prophet of the Dark Side Kaddan predicted that the next ruler will wear the Glove of Darth Vader! Then Trioculus gets a message from a imperiel named Captain Dunwell saying that he perhaps has found the Glove of Darth Vader!!! Dunwell runs a factory which butchers Waladones. The whale-like Waladones are intelligent sea creatures that live in the oceans of Mon Calamari. Luke and Acbar go to Mon Calamari to save the Waladons. But the leader Waladon Leviathor (the last great white waladon) is captured by Dunwell. But I won't spoil the suprising conclusions. May I note that the only characters that act like themsalves are C-3PO and R2-D2. The pictures of Luke are highly distorted and Acbar is a wimp. But this is good for kids who are not able to read bigger Star Wars books.

Anakin Skywalker: The Story of Darth Vader (Hardcover)

Amazon.com
"The Force is strong in this one."
Anakin Skywalker, otherwise known as Darth Vader, is arguably the central character in George Lucas's Star Wars story arc. His rise to Jedi power, descent into the temptations of the dark side of the Force, and ultimate redemption by his son Luke make for a fantastic modern myth, science fiction style.

This book and action figure set is a must-have for serious collectors--it's big and beautifully packaged in a pyramidal box. The 12" Anakin Skywalker action figure represents him as he appeared at the end of Return of the Jedi, when his spirit form stood alongside fellow departed Jedi masters Obi Wan Kenobi and Yoda. The illustrated book is a delightful tour of the part of Darth Vader's story that appeared in A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. (The information about young Anakin is gleaned from Lucas's early story concepts rather than the new movies.) An extensive catalog of Vader collectibles completes the package.

San Francisco Examiner
May The Force Be With You. 'Anakin Skywalker-The Story of Darth Vader,' a 'Star Wars Masterpiece Edition' including an illustrated history and a 'large collection figure' of the dread Vader himself, played in the three Star Wars films by David Prowse, is the perfect gift for friends obsessed with George Lucas' inspired rendering of the Flash Gordon cycles of his youth, complemented by Joseph Campbell's murky mytholodizing. Besides the Vader doll, this is a definitive look at the tragic figure the book's author, Stephen J. Sansweet (collaborating with Daniel Wallace and Josh Ling) refers to as 'the poster boy for villainy ... his was the costume that kids wanted to wear at Halloween.

Review: Worth Getting....Even If In the Discount Rack

First, be warned. The official Amazon Editorial has it right: the story within doesn't have much to say about the Anakin Skywalker we now know from Episodes I and II. The book, co-authored by Lucasfilm exec and author of the Star Wars Encyclopedia Stephen J. Sansweet, was published several months before The Phantom Menace's release and "the early years" of Anakin's life are based on early story concepts, not from the outlines or scripts to the sequels.
That having been said, readers will come to understand that the central figure of the six-movie Star Wars saga is really Darth Vader, and that he is really George Lucas' favorite character. The fiction and non-fiction look at this tragic hero-turned-villain is insightful and very comprehensive, especially in the chapter that chronicles Darth Vader during the time span covered by the Classic Trilogy.

Like the other books in the Masterpiece Edition series, the cover price is pretty high, but I found this edition on the discount bin at Waldenbooks. It was the only one left and the cover had a tear, but that was the box cover and not the book.

The large figure of Anakin Skywalker (as seen in Return of the Jedi but in non-ghostly form) is really beautifully rendered, although it does not have a lightsaber (the small figure -- which is NOT included -- paradoxically does).




Darth Vader 18 Month Wall Calendar (Calendar)

Review: Darth Vader and Star Wars!
Start the year early with Star Wars: Episode III-Revenge of the Sith calendar! The calendar starts off with July 2005 with colorful (of course) pictures from the ROTS movie. Each month has couple mini or big images add together to decorate the pretty dates and adds some Force with you, each and everyday. If you are a prequel Star Wars fan, then this calendar is for you! If you are a major Star Wars fan and cannot miss a single thing about Star Wars, then this is surely for you!