Describing Star Wars if you've never seen it
April 6th 2009 21:48
There's a very, very small percentage of people in the English-speaking world that have avoided Star Wars their entire life. Even if you didn't like the genre, sooner or later, someone would have made you sit down and watch it.
People that have successfully avoided Star Wars until their adult life, though, are rather content to have never seen it. Their lives are remarkably complete, especially considering that they know nothing about Luke Skywalker's father, or the rise of the Empire. Even though they've never seen Princess Leia in a golden bikini, still they carry on.
What is it like for these people? I don't mean to suggest that they're missing out on something phenomenal, as the Star Wars movies are, for me, nostalgic and exuberant, ruined by the current maelstrom of endless marketing and merchandise. Still, without seeing the movies, they must find it perplexing that there is so much Star Wars material out there.
Movies, books, videogames, comics... you'd need an entire retirement to get through it all.
How would you describe Star Wars if you've never, ever seen the movies, and you had to piece it together from fragments of information?
It'd be something like this...
In today's Guardian, Tim Jonze admits that he made it through life without Star Wars as well, and tries the same task, with much less giggling.
From the article:
"The baddies are all white and called Stormtroopers and led by a black stormtrooper called Darth Vader. The baddies storm (that's all they can do - that and troop) on to the white circular ship. It's time for Luke to be heroic and say to his collection of really weird mates: "May the force be with you." It works: the baddies all end up getting killed, whereas nobody on the goodies' side worth caring about dies."
Yes, it's a whole mess of storylines, but understandable if you consider how media and advertising simply assume that everyone's seen the films...
Even more interesting, Jonze watches "A New Hope" for the first time and records his impressions...
"My worst mistake, though, was Obi-Wan Kenobi. There was I, imagining this flying ninja thing with long legs and an alien's head. Turns out it's Alec Guinness in my mum's dressing gown! Who knew?"
I can't believe no one used that line for the promotional materials about the films... "Star Wars featuring Alec Guiness and Ewen Macgregor in your mom's dressing gown!"
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Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling
Potter in a Harry
I got a good laugh out of the quotes.
Comment by Paul Martin
Comment by Damo
These versions are better.
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang
The First Wonderful Peter Yang's Variety Blog
The New Wonderful Peter Yang's variety blog
Power Ranger Online
TV Online
Stay healthy and loose weight
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Paul, it's interesting that you haven't seen it. Parents, friends didn't convince you to watch it?
Damo, I feel that way about the prequels... ergh...
Matt - ha! When friends punch you in the eye because of a movie, that's a great reaction. What's Caravan of courage?
Peter - so do I! Or, at least, I did...
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Check it out here
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Wonderful . . stuff!
The Brown Muppets ~ classic.
I just watched this U/tube version with my teenager and we are still laughing, thanks for that. Daughter says; not quite how she remembers it (Landua didn*t die, did he?) *lol*
Now we*ll have to watch it again
Lilla
Best quote of the week I think.
Comment by The Rusty Can
Everything
I watched Star Wars when I was little - didn't really understand what was going on, and it took me a few goes to watch them all when I was older - because I kept nodding off. But I'm glad I watched them (episodes 4-6 anyway) - they are referenced/spoofed so often.
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
It's one of those films that I have always thought "I'll have to watch that some day" but the some day hasn't come around yet.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Comment by Johnny Come Lately
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