Chefelf.com Night Life: ForceHippo - Viewing Profile

This topic may have been around earlier and debated to death- if so, please ignore this poll. However, I find the topic interesting, since we know have the complete story for our viewing (dis-)pleasure.

In my view, I think it is a fair assumption, that regardless of execution the PT could never have met up with the expectations from the OT. So for me the question reads: these three new SW films or not, although you have to accept that the new films couldn't have met up with the previous standard.

Do you find my lack of faith disturbing?

According to Catholic tradition, the views of the Pope constitute the official views of the Catholic Church. As far as I am concerned Star Wars is not a religion. Still, many fans approach a SW discussion by stating that G.L. has said this or that and therefore that view is canon and therefore that is the correct interpretation of a certain SW matter. I would suggest that SW is art, and thus the art itself should be interpreted and not the views of the artist. As a side note it should perhaps be said that this is how all the professional critics work; second-guessing artists’ intentions or views fairly quickly becomes a meaningless exercise. Having that said, the views of G.L. are not irrelevant but they cannot be treated as solid facts; i.e. if G.L. suggested that Yoda should be perceived as an evil Muppet, would you still believe him? Therefore, only the art (i.e. the six instalments of the saga) can function as the definitely relevant basis for an argument.

Let me illustrate the above by taking on a subject, that has been much debated recently, that of Anakin’s origins. Many fans claim that Anakin fulfilled the Prophecy by destroying the Emperor and therefore he was the Chosen One conceived by the midichlorians. They claim this is the case since G.L & Co. have indicated that Anakin indeed brought the force back into balance at the end of ROTJ. This train of thought is not logically flawed (apart from relying on the opinion of G.L.), but when it comes to the necessary interpretations to produce this conclusion I begin to wonder if we have watched different sagas.

The prophecy basically says, that someone conceived by the midis will bring balance back to the force. This balance idea must also be interpreted as a good thing, since the jedi otherwise should have been even more reluctant towards Anakin. How does Anakin then go about bringing the force back into balance? He becomes a sith lord, he helps destroying the jedi order and he helps oppressing the galaxy for a good 25 (?) years. After that he kills Palps and all is good and well? Obviously, I am somewhat sceptical about the balance thing, but even if there is balance at the end of ROTJ it is safe to say that the quest for balance hasn’t been a positive thing for the galaxy. In ROTS Yoda also indicates that the Prophecy may have been misinterpreted. All this raises considerable doubt concerning the validity of the Prophecy and relying on it regarding Anakin’s origins is problematic.

On the other hand, Palpatine (or at least his mentor) could manipulate the midis to create life. This could be beneficial if they wanted, for instance, a powerful ally in their fight against the jedi. This explanation is much more straightforward and much less ambiguous than the Prophecy thing and therefore it must be more plausible.

George Lucas has created a fascinating universe, but when it comes to his notions about balance I reserve the right to remain sceptical.