Star Wars
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BACKGROUND
George Lucas is the creator, writer, and obviously director of Star Wars. He originally planned to make three movies (a trilogy) and they were released in the seventies and early eighties. The first movie was titled, “A New Hope,” the second “Empire Strikes Back,” and the third and last “Return of the Jedi.” These movies centered on the future universe where evil reigns and a rebellion against evil is lead by the only remaining Jedi: Luke Skywalker. It centers around Luke, his sister Princess Leia (although he did not find out she was his sister until the last movie because they were separated at birth), their friend Han Solo and his companion named Chewie (a Wookie whom he saved). Together, and with the help of droids R2D2 and C3PO, the three attempt to overthrow the Empire, which is the dark side government in power over the universe. The success of these movies was more than Lucas had ever dreamed for, and he was financially set for life. In 1994, Lucas began writing a fourth installment in the Star Wars series. He decided that he would create three new prequels which would tell the story of Star Wars before the dark side ruled the galaxy. These movies would focus on the tragedy of talented Jedi Anakin Skywalker and his turn towards the dark side (and later become Darth Vader). So the new movies are titled episode one through
three and the older movies are titled episodes four through
six. Here is a complete list of the Star Wars movies:
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
Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
The Star Wars movies are indeed one long story of tragedy. It is the tragedy of Anakin Skywalkers life as he turns from a hopeful Jedi toward the dark side, later becoming the ruthless Sith Lord, Darth Vader.
EPISODE I
Let me start out by giving you a somewhat obvious background of the time Star Wars takes place. The entire universe is under one government known as the Republic. Within this government is the ruling body, known as the Senate. Each planet has a politician who represents them within the Senate. The Senate has a position similar to that of a president, although this person is called the chancellor. Peace and balance is kept within the Republic by a respected class known as the Jedi. The Jedi are very wise and skilled in combat. They use “The Force” which allows them to have a psychic sense, control objects with their mind, and fight exceptionally well. Their weapon is known as the lightsaber, which is viewed as an elegant and respectable way of combat. A person is chosen to train as a Jedi if they have show exceptional Jedi instinct and are in tune with the Force. Those who are Jedi were born to be Jedi, it is simply their calling and talent. You start as a padawan learner and train under a Master Jedi until you are skilled enough to be granted the title. The Senate is overseen by respect Jedi who form the Jedi Council. Heading up this council is respected Master Yoda, only two feet tall and almost nine hundred years old. His wisdom is infinite and he is seen as the most skilled and father of all Jedi. Mace Windo is also a main member of the council (hes the black guy with the purple lightsaber). The Force is divided by those who use it. There is a Light (good) Side of the Force, and a Dark (bad) Side of the force. Those who are of the Dark Side are known as Sith. In the Sith, there can be only two main members at a time. The Sith master is Darth Sideous (who is later known as the emperor when he rules the universe) and he has an apprentice. Darth Sideous is actually a senator named Palpatine who is a well respected member of the senate. Therefore, the dark side is secretly looming in the Republic, and ultimately leads to its downfall by the third movie. The Republic is currently in turmoil. There are many planets who want to be free of the Republic and are leading violent separatist movements to break away. Palpatine is supporting these movements in order to grow in power within the Republic and eventually turn the universe over to the Dark Side. That is his ultimate evil plan throughout these movies, although it is unknown by the Jedi Council because the power of the Dark Side clouds their vision. Qui Gon Jinh is an old Jedi master who has an apprentice named Obi Wan Kenobi. The two of them embark on a journey to end a crisis in the Trade Federation. They encounter Queen Amidala of a planet named Naboo, who is a young female politician in search of ending these separatist movements. Therefore she is unknowingly in danger of the Dark Side because she leads such an active role in peace. On the planet of Tatoinne, Qui Gon and Obi Wan encounter a young slave boy named Anakin Skywalker who is exceptionally talented at Pod racing. Qui Gon can sense that this boy is very naturally in tune with the force and predicts that he will one day restore balance within the Republic. He takes Anakin with them, in hopes of pleading with the Jedi Council for permission to train Anakin as a Jedi. By the way, this is where we meet droid C3PO, whom Anakin built. Darth Sideous sends his apprentice Darth Maul (red face, double sided light saber) to stop Qui Gon and Obi Wans mission and kill Queen Amidala, since they are trying to restore peace. If they had succeeded, Darth Sideous would not have gotten to rise to power. You see, all great dictators in history arise from conflict within a government. So therefore, Palpatine (Darth Sideous) is in support of the separatist revolts because through them he can gain power. Well, Darth Maul kills Qui Gon and is killed himself by Obi Wan. Qui Gons dying words are pleading with Obi Wan to train Anakin because he is the “chosen one” to restore balance in the Republic. This is where the movie ends. Obi Wan is now a Jedi who is training young padawan Anakin Skywalker. Darth Maul is dead, and a separatist leader named Darth Tyranus (Count Dooko) takes his place as the Sith Apprentice under Darth Sideous. Basically, if theyre named “Darth,” theyre probably bad. That is all to tell really about this first movie. It was highly criticized by Star Wars fans (primarily due to the annoying Gungan named Jar Jar Binks) and not a very good start to the prequels. It is labeled as the worst Star Wars movie.