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A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away......
Episode MMDCLXXXVIII
A New Empire Returns the Phantom Clones of the Sith Wars
Born deep in the wild mind of George Lucas, Star Wars rose to wide acclaim with the release of the first movie, A New Hope, where it broke Box-Office records, and won a wide swath of awards (and many more nominations).
The Story
The Star Wars Series is set in a large galaxy of space traveling creatures, ranging from humans to droids to large slimy evil creatures to huggable little teddy bears. The series follows the adventures of the Skywalker Family, beginning with young Anakin Skywalker, known as Ani to his friends, and following through to his grand- and great-grand- children.
The series opens with Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, rescuing Queen Amidala (also known as Padmé Naberrie) of Naboo. They also pick up the small, Force-sensitive Anakin on Tatooine. It is here that the two Jedi discover that more is amiss than they thought.
Shortly before they leave Tatooine, the Jedi are attacked by Darth Maul, but escape as the ship lifts off, leaving Darth Maul on Tatooine. Darth Maul later appears when Queen Amidala's company drive Darth Sidious' pawns from Theed, Naboo. Darth Maul faces off with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan and looses, being rendered mostly dead by Obi-Wan, but killing Qui-Gon in the process (sniffle). Obi-Wan takes on the challenge of fulfilling Qui-Gon's wish to train Ani as a Jedi. The next that is known of any of these is about ten years later, when Padmé, who has finished her term as Queen, returns to the Galactic Senate as a Senator, sent by Queen Jamillia.
During her time as senator, she is re-united with Obi-Wan and Anakin, who serve as her protectors after an assassination attempt. While Obi-Wan looks deeper into who is behind the assassination plots, Anakin and Padmé travel together, and begin to realize they are in love. Padmé and Anakin leave their haven of safety to find Obi-Wan, who has been captured by Count Dooku, or Darth Tyranus, Qui-Gon's master. During a lightsaber battle with Count Dooku, Anakin looses his right arm, which is replaced with a mechno-arm. While Anakin recovers, Obi-Wan visits Padmé, and asks her to end her relationship with Anakin. Lying, Padmé agrees to do so, but wants to break the news to Anakin herself, and thus asks that he serve as her escort back to Naboo. Once the two arrive on Naboo, they are secretly married (aww...), with only R2D2 and C-3PO as witnesses.
Padmé and Anakin return to their separate paths as the Republic crumbles, only visiting briefly during their travels. After Darth Sidious is proclaimed emperor, Obi-Wan visits Padmé and informs her of evidence of Anakin's fall to the dark side. Initially refusing to believe the Jedi, Padmé hurries to Anakin's secret hide-out, unaware that Obi-Wan has stowed away on her ship. During her attempts to persuade Anakin, now Darth Vader to turn back to the Light, Obi-Wan appears on the ship. Mistaking Padmé's trip as a betrayal, Anakin Force-chokes Padmé, which renders her unconscious, and eventually kills her, although Anakin, now known as Darth Vader, did not realize it initially. The couple's twins, Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa are taken by Obi-Wan and hidden, and another eighteen or so years elapse before anything is heard of them again.
Both Luke and Leia begin their careers with no knowledge of their sibling--but they soon discover their common connection, however, and strive to destroy the Empire's iron grip. When Leia's ship is captured, she sends off R2D2 and C3PO, which Luke finds. After showing the droids to Obi-Wan, the two set off to deliver the droids' message. After enlisting the help of Han Solo, the threesome inadvertently wanders into the path of the Death Star, where Leia is being held prisoner. After running around and blowing some (more) things up, Luke, Han and Leia escape, and continue plotting the downfall of the empire. After rescuing Han from a block of ice, all prepare for a final show-down with the Empire, and win (awww...).
The Creator
George Lucas was born in Modesto, California, and originally wanted to be a race-car driver. In his late teens, however, an accident convinced him that racing was not for him. Instead, he became interested in film, and was heavily inspired by experimental filmmakers like Bruce Baillie and Haskell Wexler. Lucas and his friends would often hang out in San Francisco, wandering around and absorbing the culture, while keeping an eye out on where Baillie's next film would be shown. Undoubtedly, Lucas got much inspiration from the zany characters located in down-town San Francisco. Wexler and Lucas eventually met, and Wexler began to mentor Lucas in the film world. Shortly after this, Lucas transfered to the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, where his talent flowered.
After his graduation, it is worth noting that Lucas tried to become an officer in the Air Force, but was turned down because of his numerous speeding tickets. After he was also found unfit for the Army for health reasons, Lucas returned to school and continued pursuing film. He quickly won a scholarship prize from Warner Brothers, and was allowed to work on a film of his choice. He chose Finian's Rainbow, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Technology
Part 1: Galactic Power
Star Wars makes use of, or invented, many conventional and familiar science fiction devices: hyperdrive for reaching light speeds to make traveling across a galaxy feasible; energy pistols; cloaking devices; cars without wheels... It was one of the first science fiction films to try and portray its world as lived in, used and, in some cases, falling apart.
In fact, the Star Wars universe is filled with all sorts of gadgets, some resembling more powerful versions of our own technology, others that attempt to answer the question of 'what if?', and some that hark back to history.
This eclectic galaxy building gives the story its foothold in our imaginations, and has influenced and inspired many people.
Part 2: Movie Magic
For example, Star Wars was the movie that gave several well known companies their start in life.
George Lucas started Industrial Light and Magic in 1975 because 20th Century Fox did not have a visual effects studio at that time. They have gone on to play a key role in 5 of the top 10 worldwide box office hits of all time, and have won 15 Academy Awards for Best Effects.
With its many technical and creative innovations, ILM has helped drive the evolution of visual effects. Beginning with a mastery of the traditional arts of blue-screen photography, matte painting and model construction, ILM pioneered the development of motion control cameras, optical compositing and other advances in effects technology. Since the 1980s, ILM has led the way in the use of computer graphics and digital imaging in feature films, developing breakthrough software techniques such as digital compositing, Morfing, simulations and enveloping as well as technologies such as film input scanning, digital compositing, wire removal, motion control, Imocap, and the EXR file format.
(Pixar can trace its origins to Industrial Light and Magics computer graphics division.)
Skywalker Sound was also started in 1975 as Sprocket Systems. George Lucas and Gary Kurtz were looking for a “director of sound,” someone who could imagine and implement a creative soundtrack to match the revolutionary visuals they planned for a low-budget science fiction adventure called "Star Wars". They hired Ben Burtt, and the rest, as they say, is history. Skywalker Sound has won 18 Academy Awards for their work in Sound and Sound Effects Editing.
In 2000, Sony's first digital cinema camera in the HDCAM series was used in shooting Episode II: Attack of the Clones, the first high-profile, high-budget movie released that was shot on 24 frame-per-second high-definition digital video. Years before, George Lucas predicted that digital cinematography would bring about a revolution in filmmaking. His prediction came true, at least for film-makers budgets! Rick McCallum, a producer on Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, has commented that the production spent $16,000 for 220 hours of digital tape, where a comparable amount of film would have cost $1.8 million.
Part 3: How Star Wars is influencing modern technology
One of the most obvious examples of 'futuristic technology' that we see in Star Wars is its narrators C3PO and R2D2.
C3PO and his smaller counterpart are able to (mostly) understand what the humans are saying to them. Robots today are still very limited in how they interact with humans, existing to perform only a few basics commands. They remind one of what the outdated and worn out robots scavenged by Jawas might have looked like when new.
Using the Mindstorms technology, you can build your own R2 unit that will roll around and beep at you.
On a larger scale, Boston Dynamics has been awarded a contract to build something similar to the AT-ATs.
At the 2010 Technology, Entertainment and Design conference in February, Nathan Myhrvold, former chief technology officer for Microsoft, demonstrated a "Death Star" bug-zapper designed to use lasers to shoot down mosquitoes in flight. The hope there is not to crush microscopic rebels, but to help prevent malaria.
Medical technology has also progressed, bringing fiction that much closer to reality. When Luke loses his hand, it is replaced with a mechanical one that functions in much the same way as a real hand would. The Boston Digital Arm brings joint function back. This is called biohybridization. Other areas of study include artificial skin grown over metal limbs.
Even lightsabers may be closer than we think!
The Future
After the success of James Cameron's 3-D film Avatar, there are plans to convert all six Star Wars-movies to 3-D. Lucas has said that:
"James Cameron's monster hit has convinced me that the technology has evolved to the point where he was willing to reconfigure the outer space series so it could be viewed in three dimensions.
We can only wait and see what will be next.
This post is brought to you by Lady Arwen and Meltintalle inc. All rights kinda sorta reserved. By somebody. We think.
Avatar thanks to AITB
Topic starter
Posted : November 23, 2010 1:11 pm
I love Star Wars!
The Phantom Menace,
It was this movie that first got me to even watch SW. I always said I didn't like it, though I had never actually seen it. I was 15yrs old when it released, and since we were fairly good students in school my parents decided to keep us out that Wednesday just to go see it. I was thrilled. In hindsight though, this really isn't a great movie, and not the best of the series. It has many weaknesses. But still, I will always love it for introducing me to SW, my fourth favorite. And unlike the majority, I still love Jar Jar Binks.
A New Hope,
as it was later renamed. Originally just Star Wars. This was the second movie that I saw. It feels rather short, some things are obviously dated. But I found it to be amazing, the length was perfect for it. This is my third favorite of the series.
The Empire Strikes Back,
Without a doubt, IMO, the best of the lot! Not a moment of weakness in it for me. I love every moment of it. I can't get enough of this movie. The moment of the revelation, had I not already known my jaw would have dropped to the floor.
Return of the Jedi,
It has some very good moments. But there is definitely much about this movie that I do not like- though for the sake of the franchise I don't dislike any of the movies, despite some flaws. This one is my second least favorite. I wish they had kept it as the first two, the Ewoks (I think that's what their called, furry little bear-like creatures), I don't hate them- but I also don't like them, they just don't fit in well for me.
Attack of the Clones,
Although it has some good moments, I find them to be few and far between. This is my least favorite movie of the series. It simply feels like a filler movie. There is definitely a lot lacking in this one, but the short glimpses of Anakin's transition are worth looking at.
Revenge of the Sith,
my second favorite of the movies- ranking much higher than the four below it. I love Seeing Anakin fall to the dark side, though I wish it wasn't so. It makes for a great story, and we know it had to happen- but it is super frustrating to watch and I can't help but always hope that it will end differently upon each re-watch. The final fight against Obi Wan was of the best moments in the movie.
ESB
RotS
ANH
PM
RotJ
AotC
Posted : November 23, 2010 2:51 pm
A 'most impressive' (to quote Darth Vader) opening post!
I still remember going to see Star Wars - back then there was no "A New Hope" subtitle 
) when it came out in May 1977. It truly revolutionized not only the movie experience, but even popular culture. The critics, generally, panned it but it quickly becamse a phenomenon. Visually, it was unlike anything we'd seen before. 2001, released in the 1960s, was an epic sort of sci-fi movie but it dragged (apologies to its fans). Star Wars, on the other hand, just got on with its story, and all the flashy effects and ships were just part of that.
Like other movies of this vintage, the effects appear somewhat dated now thanks to advances in technology. But back then...wow!
The Empire Strikes Back, I think, is among the best in the franchise. I recall late-night discussions with friends about the story's secrets: is Vader really Luke's father? Who is the other Skywalker? and so on. There was no internet, no DVD or even VHS available (when the movie was still in theaters), so there was no minute-by-minute or frame-by-frame analysis available - we had to go by what we remembered, what we caught when we were viewing it. Good times.
But all night, Aslan and the Moon gazed upon each other with joyful and unblinking eyes.
Posted : November 23, 2010 3:07 pm
The Empire Strikes Back is definitely the best of the bunch. It's darker and moodier than the others and yet thoroughly watchable. Great atmosphere and acting in it. Revenge of the Sith tries to be dark and moody but it feels a little overwrought and artificial to me.
Also when I was growing up Jedi stuff didn't really interest me, and still largely doesn't...I wanted to fly an X-Wing. 
The space battles were what sold me on Star Wars in its original theatrical run and that remains largely true today. 
Kennel Keeper of Fenris Ulf
Posted : November 24, 2010 1:06 am
This video popped up on Facebook yesterday and it gave me a chuckle. I am shamelessly stealing it from Cymru to post it here
"It is God who gives happiness; for he is the true wealth of men's souls." — Augustine
Posted : November 24, 2010 1:16 am
That... video...
Oh, dear should just about sum it up. 
I go for the light and fluffy, I think, in my favourites, because I like Return of the Jedi (happy ending! YAY!) and though it's been a long time since I last saw Phantom Menace, watching the clips at Star Wars in Concert reminded me that, you know, I really liked that movie. I have good memories of acting it out on the playground equipment, and of the Sunday afternoons trying to beat the computer game.
We have hands that fashion and heads that know,
But our hearts we lost - how long ago! -- G. K. Chesterton
Posted : November 24, 2010 4:53 am
WOOOT! Star Wars! Major Star Wars geek here.
Wow, that video was hilarious. "There are some important things my son needs to grow up knowing: one, that Han shot first." YES! So true. 
Love the Star Wars films. My all time favorite is definitely Empire Strikes Back, even though (as many people feel obligated to point out to me) it does end with a cliffhanger. But it's still the best one.
In my opinion, the original trilogy is much better than the prequels... but I'm no prequel hater or anything. I can still enjoy them, I just think the originals were better. I saw the original trilogy first when I was fairly young - probably about seven or eight. Definitely before Phantom Menace came out. As the prequel trilogy came out, one by one, I watched each one and enjoyed them thoroughly, but they just don't compare with the originals, in my opinion. Han Solo and Luke Skywalker will always be Star Wars to me.
Also when I was growing up Jedi stuff didn't really interest me, and still largely doesn't...I wanted to fly an X-Wing.
I agree! Whenever I played make-believe with friends (or, later, some Star Wars role-playing and fan fiction) my character was almost always a smuggler or a space pilot, like a Han Solo type character, while my friends would invariably go for Force-users. I was never thrilled with Jedi stuff: I was much more interested in starfighters and blasters and the like.
"Of course we've got to find him (if we can). That's the nuisance of it. It means a search party and endless trouble. Bother Eustace." ~ Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Sig: lover of narnia
Posted : November 24, 2010 5:39 am
If I wasn't a jedi, or a jedi fighter-pilot, I would be a fighter pilot. I mean, seriously, look at the X-Wing books by Michael Stackpole and Aaron Allston! Wedge and everyone are SO COOL, and they don't even have to be jedi!
If you haven't guessed, I'm a Star Wars GEEK. I'm not quite so weird about it as I was a while back (think around RoTS), but I'm still pretty far up there. My favorite movie is Return of the Jedi. It's just so triumphant, and Lucas ends it all so happily and doesn't feel the need to kill everyone off. I don't like the prequels too much, but Liam Neeson as Qui Gon rocks because Liam Neeson rocks.
Has anyone here read the EU books? If you haven't, I HIGHLY suggest reading Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy! He was the first author to publish his Star Wars Beyond the Movies novels with the Canon stamp from George Lucas & co. Plus they are just SO good. Zahn is an excellent author, and, to paraphrase one reviewer, "You can almost hear the Star Wars theme music" as you read Zahn's books. Ah. So good. I love those books. They never get old. Even if you're not a SW fan, I'd recommend them.
Favorite character? Well, Obi Wan, of course! He rocks! Favorite EU character? Tahiri and Anakin before they went weird/died, and Jaina when she's not being stupid. And Jag. *heart melts* 
"Let the music cast its spell,
give the atmosphere a chance.
Simply follow where I lead;
let me teach you how to dance."
Posted : November 24, 2010 6:08 am
I love Star War's, they are totally awesome
My favorite is probably the Revenge of the Sith. it is very sad but it has the best acting, special effects, action and just about everything else.
I also really like A New Hope even though the acting is pretty bad and the special effects aren't very special
I never really cared for the Empire Strikes Back, I like it because it is Star Wars but it is probably my least favorite in the series.
The Phantom Menace is pretty good though the acting could use some work, But it does have the best lightsaber in the entire series by far.
I haven't seen the other the Return of the Jedi or Attack of the Clones in a while so I'm not exactly an authority on them.
Lucas was able to create a extremely believable world with all kinds of history and information to learn about. the LOTR is the only other world that is as believable and with as much history and things like that(Sorry Narnia, but you just don't measure up to them in that way).
Posted : November 24, 2010 12:27 pm
Also when I was growing up Jedi stuff didn't really interest me, and still largely doesn't...I wanted to fly an X-Wing.
Nice.
Whenever I played make-believe with friends (or, later, some Star Wars role-playing and fan fiction) my character was almost always a smuggler or a space pilot, like a Han Solo type character, while my friends would invariably go for Force-users. I was never thrilled with Jedi stuff: I was much more interested in starfighters and blasters and the like.
Okay, you two have prompted me to make my confession, which has more than one part. 1: I haven't seen the entire trilogy. I've seen all but III. 2: My introduction to SW was by Ryan and Booky, who dragged me kicking and screaming into creating a Force-sensitive character. They gave me a crash course, and I wrote for SWish characters for about three years before I finally saw even one of the films.
That said, my favorite films are...um, I'm not sure. I like all of them, and I like having the new Anakin in. I just wish he was more...aged, I guess? IDK.
Avatar thanks to AITB
Topic starter
Posted : November 24, 2010 12:29 pm
My introduction to SW was by Ryan and Booky, who dragged me kicking and screaming into creating a Force-sensitive character. They gave me a crash course, and I wrote for SWish characters for about three years before I finally saw even one of the films.
Are you all playing Star Wars RPG someplace and didn't tell me? 
Kennel Keeper of Fenris Ulf
Posted : November 24, 2010 12:33 pm
Ah, Star Wars.
First introduced to the original trilogy when my mom had us buy the Special Edition VHS tapes for my dad, either for Christmas or for his birthday. When i was around 10 years old; saw part of IV in a hotel, and later watched all 3 films when we got home. Saw I and II in theaters, and have never seen III all the way through - refuse to do so.
It's been a while since i've seen any of the films all the way through, and i'm not sure it would be worth it, for me. I've recovered from a period in my teens where i and my sister took delight in poking fun at Star Wars (all thrown tomatoes will be made into tomato sauce and used to make pizza; which won't be shared with anybody ), but i've never developed much of an interest in it.
I've read some of the books - most if not all of the ones about Obi-Wan's apprenticeship to Qui-Gon before the movies, and some of the ones about Anakin and Obi-Wan between I and II - and thought they were okay, and have no real interest in reading anything else. I've heard too many complaints about certain authors, and the idea of a bunch of different authors writing about the same characters kinda weirds me out.
One area of the Star Wars mythology i do have an interest in, however, is the Knights of the Old Republic video games - i own both, and have played through both several times. I am not happy in the least that they have decided to do a MMPORPG instead of a third game.
Spoiler
So both player characters went out into the Unknown Regions and died out there, alone, while their friends and loved ones waited in vain for them to return? Thanks a lot, Lucas Arts.
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it. - Rabbi Tarfon
Posted : November 24, 2010 1:21 pm
Are you all playing Star Wars RPG someplace and didn't tell me?
Its called having Force-sensitive characters in Ditto Town. Links will be provided to stories if you want them.
Notice I did not say we are doing Star Wars RPGs but that we have Force-sensitive characters. Big difference, there.
Avatar thanks to AITB
Topic starter
Posted : November 24, 2010 2:42 pm
Hey, I was wondering, was Jar Jar Binks created using Motion Capture, or was it just a normally-made CGI character?
Here's a cute video --
"The shiny guy always worries..." lol I just love the way she says "Obee Kanobee".
~Riella
Posted : November 24, 2010 2:46 pm
Has anyone here read the EU books? If you haven't, I HIGHLY suggest reading Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy!
Oh yes, I agree! Although I actually only read Heir to the Empire and never finished the trilogy (shame on me), but it wasn't because I didn't like it. I thoroughly enjoyed Heir, but at the time i finished it I didn't have access to the next books, and I soon became busy with other things and didn't have as much time for recreational reading... long story short, I still haven't gotten around to reading them. But, someday! They're definitely on my to-read-list. I've read bits and pieces of other EU books, but none of them enthralled me as much as the Thrawn trilogy.
I forgot to mention my favorite characters in my last post: it would definitely be Obi Wan Kenobi (in the prequels) and Han Solo (Originals). I can't choose who I actually like better.
My introduction to SW was by Ryan and Booky, who dragged me kicking and screaming into creating a Force-sensitive character. They gave me a crash course, and I wrote for SWish characters for about three years before I finally saw even one of the films.
Ha ha! That's an interesting way to be introduced to SW. I will admit though, Force Sensitives are fun to write for: I did once break out from my normal routine and create a Jedi character for a forum RP. His name was Oran Dreadstar and he was pretty much awesome... but I eventually moved on and went back to a space pilot character.
Eustace+Jill: I love that video!!! I have it on my Zune HD, I regularly show it to friends. FAvorite part: "But don't talk back to Darth Vader... He'll get ya!" or perhaps "It's and exciting movie!" So cute!
"Of course we've got to find him (if we can). That's the nuisance of it. It means a search party and endless trouble. Bother Eustace." ~ Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Sig: lover of narnia
Posted : November 24, 2010 4:04 pm
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