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So Did George Lucas Really Rape Our Childhood?

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Hello everyone. I've been lurking on this forum for a few weeks and am glad I found this place. It's such a relief to find a group of people that can discuss our grievances against George Lucas in a civil manner.

Personally, I'm sick of how (on other sites) anytime someones says something less than God-like praise about Lucas, all his apologists start rushing into the thread to defend him. I guess the final straw was his recent hypocritical statement about how "The Three Stooges" should not be colorized, because they belong in a different time period. I couldn't believe there were posts like, "He's talking about adding color to black and white movies! Not adding CGI!!!" After realizing that the Lucas apologists will argue over any point, no matter how obvious it is that Lucas is contradicting himself, I decided I would treat myself to a dose of sanity over here.

There doesn't seem to be that many dissenting opinions in this neck of the woods. Well - except for Jimbo. Actually Jimbo - I love the way you say something, everyone else chimes in about ignoring you, and then the conversation continues without you even getting offended!

So anyways, here's my question for the day: I've always wondered about the expression, "George Lucas raped my childhood!" Did someone ever REALLY say that? I mean, say it and was serious? My theory is that the Lucas apologists were the ones who created this phrase to categorize us as a bunch of whiners and detract from the valid points we try to raise.

Or maybe the person who first said it is a member of this forum - in which case I would like to meet this famous person who is so often quoted on the internet.
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I wish we could say that one of us came up with it. However I don't think we can lay claim to that title. Not even us oldtimers. But if no one else lays claim to it, then I'm sticking the Bossk Banner (tm) in it. I said it. It's all me.

Welcome home, RV! You're in good hands... Well, unless those hands are Jimbo's.
"You fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'Never get involved in a land war in Asia'."
--Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), The Princess Bride
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Kevin A
Webmaster/Primary Cynic
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kapgar.com
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Well GL didn't rape MY childhood. I didn't care so much for Star Wars until 1994 or 1995, and still, I'm not such a BIG fan to be disturbed by those changes. Of course they suck, but life goes on. Except when I'm posting on this forum, it's very rare for me to have contact with anything SW related.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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rape my childhood? no

confuse the hell out of me as a kid - as to what version I was watching? yes

annoys me that he won't release the films that made him what he is? yes

further annoy me by releasing newer editions of his vision every few years? definately

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I wouldnt say he raped my childhood...
but he's not letting me re-experience it by watching those movies i saw as a kid...

he's preventing all of us from enjoying what he made originally... and that pisses us off...

and WELCOME TO THE BOARDS rennervision!!
and dont worry... there wont be much Lucas ass kissing around here..
lol
if any
"Never. I'll never turn to the darkside. You've failed your highness. I am a jedi, like my father before me."
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Is it even possible to rape someone's childhood? Maybe while it's happening. I don't think you can rape an period of someone's life once it's already in the past. I don't know. If a tree falls in the woods...???

I think this was just a reactionary phrase coined by someone on a message board long ago to counter some heartfelt diatribe. Personally, I think "George Lucas raped 'Star Wars'" is more accurate. If Lucas did rape my childhood, he did it with "Howard the Duck." I saw duck boobs and I was never the same.

http://jgtwo.wordpress.com

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Welcome rennervision.......

Everyone here seems to be straight shootin when it comes to posts and responses. Even Jimbo has his moments of clarity and insight. I remember seeing these movies @ the outdoor theatre and on a huge screen theatre that is no longer around as a kid. They were as awesome then as they are now.

I sincerely hope that GL gets his head out of his arse and smells reality. Those of us diehard fans want what Star Wars was and should be, original out of this world story telling at its most basic. The OT.......

I did enjoy the S.E. idea, about that I cannot lie. Seeing new images added a new suprise for me as well as the OT did. I just hope that GL doesn't take a great thing and smoke it like a cheap cigar. It just wouldn't be right.

Welcome, hope you enjoy this little haven. It is a great place to come home too.

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It can be difficult to express your own opinion without being shot down on lots of forums. At least people here are mostly realistic.

I for one don't think that GL raped my childhood. I love Star Wars as a film and I loved collecting the toys when I was a kid but I stay realistic. It is only a film and whilst it's a shame that someone I looked up to for many many years has made some bad and contradictory decisions, I am still happy to call myself a Star Wars fan. At the same time I don't think GL owes me anything. I am a consumer of his work. I can at any point choose to accept or refuse what Lucasfilm pumps out.

My deminishing respect for Lucas only helps increase my respect for Kurtz, Kershener and all the people that opposed Lucas to make the OT what it is today (or was 10 years ago). To be brutaly honest I think Star Wars was quite a fluke. Afterall it is incredibly difficult to make sucess after success. Bad decisions are bound to occur at some point. Star Wars was so much about the time at which it was made. The film world is now a totally different place.

I feel that Lucas like many directors has suffered from early successes, leading to them being surrounded by sycophants (both professionals and fans alike). This has lead to a world of no conflict for Lucas, nobody to question his decisions. Just look at TPM documentary with Lucas deciding what should be CG and what shouldn't with his highlighter pens. Why weren't such decisions left to the FX heads is beyond my understanding.

When Lucas shot Star Wars, he had $9 million, a young crew, studio heads breathing down his neck. Yet he managed to make an interesting, innovative film, like nothing seen before. For TPM he had so much more to spend and we are left with a dissappointing, lacklustre cartoon.

I work in TV and whilst pressure is never welcome, I find that I do most of my best work in a pressurised environment. Perhaps Lucas needs to remove the safety of making these films and really push the envelope once again. Preferably with someone who has the balls to answer him back.

Creator of Star Wars Begins, Building Empire and Returning to Jedi
Follow me on twitter @jamieSWB. Please support me at - http://www.patreon.com/jamiebenning/

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That was perfect, Jambe Davdar. Hit the nail right on the head.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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whilst pressure is never welcome, I find that I do most of my best work in a pressurised environment. Perhaps Lucas needs to remove the safety of making these films and really push the envelope once again. Preferably with someone who has the balls to answer him back.


exactly!!!
hear hear!!!
"Never. I'll never turn to the darkside. You've failed your highness. I am a jedi, like my father before me."
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I believe that everyone is entitled to their own tastes and opions, and just because their tastes/opinions conflict with my own doesn't diminish that person in my eyes, or the validity of their tastes/opinions. If people like the SE's and the prequels, more power to them. I sometimes actually envy people like that (as I can't stand the SE's, and have an emense hatred of AOTC). But again, to each their own.

However, I don't have the same attitude towards the people that blindly worship Lucas as some demigod that can do no wrong. I just can't take them seriously. So, I too came here because there seems to be a more moderate/objective view of Lucas, and the people here seem to be sensible (and really cool!).

As for Lucas raping my childhood? I don't see it that way, I guess. I don't hate the man, but I do hold the firm belief that he has TOTALLY lost his mind and any creative talent he might have had. In any event, the way I see it, is I have some acceptable bootlegs (and hopefully even better ones on the way), and I still remember the good times I had watching them and have the same fun to this day. Although I have to say that it helps that I just ignore any and all present/future contributions from Lucas (not buying the dvds, and not going to EP 3).
40,000 million notches away
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Anyone who ever said anything along the lines of "George Lucas raped my childhood" and *seriously meant it* is just too pathetic to spend any words on...
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Rennervision first let me say welcome to the boards. I too, was greatful to find this site and get away from all of the Lucas worship on the official site and other places. While I didn't post on these other sites, I did read and it became clear to me that my thoughts and opinions wouldn't be welcome on those boards.

I'm nost sure who first coined that phrase 'Lucas raped my childhood.' I don't believe that he has. There isn't any way to erase the memories that I have of Star Wars nor can Lucas alter them. They are mine. However, I have lost some respect for him. Not so much for the prequels, but for the Special Editions. While there are things in the Special Editions that I like and even some that I can live with, most fall into the 'why bother-we get it' category. At least for me.

Lucas' refusal to release the original version of these films on DVD is what really bugs me. But I have great bootlegs and I can live with those.
Keeping The Star Wars Hoiliday Special alive. Once person at a time. Stir, stir, whip, whip, stir, beat, beat.