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Describing Star Wars if you've never seen it

April 6th 2009 21:48
OB1-Kenobi Ben Jedi Alec Guiness

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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Comments
12 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling

April 6th 2009 22:12
That's some funny shit, Cib.

I got a good laugh out of the quotes.

Comment by Paul Martin

April 6th 2009 22:30
This post 'speaks' to me. I've never watched an entire episode. I've tried the first one made on 2-3 occasions (prior to the fourth one made, ep.1), and each time found it unwatchable. I think if you grew up on it in your youth, it'd be different, but to come to it as an adult, there's nothing there.

Comment by Damo

April 7th 2009 01:43
If only I could unwatch the movie.
These versions are better.

Comment by Matt Shea

April 7th 2009 08:09
Great stuff Cib. I once had a friend who had never seen Star Wars and so I whole-heartedly recommended them to her. Unfortunately, she went down to her local video store, managed to rent Caravan of Courage, watched it, and the next day punched me in the eye.

Comment by Cibbuano

April 7th 2009 21:58
Muddling, I suppose it's funnier if you've grown up with it your whole life... if it were any other franchise, we wouldn't be so surprised!

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

April 7th 2009 22:43
You haven't seen Caravan of Courage?! I should punch you in the eye...

Check it out here

Comment by Lilla

April 8th 2009 00:40
Cibb,

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

"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?"

Best quote of the week I think.

Comment by The Rusty Can

April 8th 2009 04:56
Lol! Hilarious, Cib!

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

April 8th 2009 05:56
Ahaha! I can relate to this because, yes, I am guilty of never having seen Star Wars. And it's not only the marketers and advertisers who assume everyone has seen it. The US Government years ago had a "Star Wars Program" and I am sure everyone just pretended to have seen the film!

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

April 9th 2009 03:48
All this stuff goes over my head. I couldn't stomach the more recent trilogy and whilst I saw the first three as a child they left very little impression at all.

Comment by Johnny Come Lately

April 9th 2009 04:47
Alec Guinness in my mum's dressing gown. Priceless ROFL

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