- Post
- #240461
- Topic
- The Artistic Vision (TM Luca$hFilm)
- Link
- https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/240461/action/topic#240461
- Time
Originally posted by: Scruffy
I cannot confirm or deny what other properties Lucas might've been interested in -- I've always heard he wanted to buy the rights to Star Trek, which is about as un-Star Wars as space opera can get -- but I agree that he's more interested in fluff, marketing, and playing with new toys under the guise of "experimental film-making." That's not to say he's unaware of the more serious aspects that evolved in the OT or the gravity which they lend the films.
He put a few attempts at a moral or drama into the PT, but they fell flat -- as did his attempts to explain them in the media. "You see, Anakin's problem is he holds onto what he really wants, he can't let go, so he becomes evil." That's the kind of broad moralistic statement that withstands superficial scrutiny, but in the context of the film -- if you look at what Anakin was holding onto (the life of his wife) and why he was doing it (presumably love for her and his child) -- it doesn't hold water. (In fact, I don't think the statement withstands even superficial scrutiny. There's nothing inherently wrong with desiring things.)
Same thing with his grand statements about "how a democracy becomes a dictatorship." A ninja-magician cons a frog-donkey-man into giving a speech in the worst-constituted parliament ever seen on film, gets himself elected chancellor ("Chancellor! Me!"), connives to secretly raise two separate warring armies, and utilizes another ninja-magician to wipe out the last of his opposition. Again, there are some superficial similarities between this and other autocratic governments -- dictators tend to wipe out their opposition and take control of the armed forces -- but the memoirs of the Caesars this is not.
I suppose fluff is okay, if that's your thing, but these hare-brained attempts to imbue it with gravitas just make Lucas look foolish.
I cannot confirm or deny what other properties Lucas might've been interested in -- I've always heard he wanted to buy the rights to Star Trek, which is about as un-Star Wars as space opera can get -- but I agree that he's more interested in fluff, marketing, and playing with new toys under the guise of "experimental film-making." That's not to say he's unaware of the more serious aspects that evolved in the OT or the gravity which they lend the films.
He put a few attempts at a moral or drama into the PT, but they fell flat -- as did his attempts to explain them in the media. "You see, Anakin's problem is he holds onto what he really wants, he can't let go, so he becomes evil." That's the kind of broad moralistic statement that withstands superficial scrutiny, but in the context of the film -- if you look at what Anakin was holding onto (the life of his wife) and why he was doing it (presumably love for her and his child) -- it doesn't hold water. (In fact, I don't think the statement withstands even superficial scrutiny. There's nothing inherently wrong with desiring things.)
Same thing with his grand statements about "how a democracy becomes a dictatorship." A ninja-magician cons a frog-donkey-man into giving a speech in the worst-constituted parliament ever seen on film, gets himself elected chancellor ("Chancellor! Me!"), connives to secretly raise two separate warring armies, and utilizes another ninja-magician to wipe out the last of his opposition. Again, there are some superficial similarities between this and other autocratic governments -- dictators tend to wipe out their opposition and take control of the armed forces -- but the memoirs of the Caesars this is not.
I suppose fluff is okay, if that's your thing, but these hare-brained attempts to imbue it with gravitas just make Lucas look foolish.
That's a great post. I can't stand the nonsense that Lucas tries to preach about in his latest films. In fact, the hypocritical ethics he implied in Revenge of the Sith are offensive to me. Even worse is the way he tries to change the meaning of original trilogy events like Vader's last-minute repentance.
As for my opinion concerning this thread's topic, I believe Lucas didn't like the serious depth that the original Star Wars portrayed. If anything, that was probaby an accident on his part (emulating great films). Having those elements further explored and added upon in Empire probably left Lucas very unhappy. It seems his ultimate vision was making money and in that he believed super-happy adventures for children would earn him the most.
(Go, go, 50 GB BD!!!)
