By Baker Pitts
Can you really consider yourself a fan if you do nothing but criticize the thing you claim to be a fan of? Most Star Wars fans would say yes, since all they tend to do is rag on George Lucas and the prequel trilogy. But I believe that while some criticism can be helpful, the amount these fans are throwing about is simply a sign of ignorance and a misplaced sense of nostalgia.
Anyone who has spent any amount of time talking about Star Wars with a fan has most likely heard about how George Lucas has ruined Star Wars and that the new movies are little more than childish grabs for money and merchandise.
Well, I respectfully disagree with those fans.
While it is true that there are some aspects of the new movies that are there for little more than merchandising (I’m looking at you Jar-Jar), the movies as a whole are a logical and, in my opinion, awesome way to explain the original story line and introduce a new generation to the magic that is Star Wars.
Now, I understand that I may be slightly biased, seeing as how I started my Star Wars obsession with the new trilogy. In fact, I have yet to see the original trilogy in theaters. But I don’t feel as if it changes the fact that Star Wars fans are almost always incredibly cruel towards the creator of the best thing ever, George Lucas, and the changes he has made to the movies.
A prime example is the addition of Darth Vader screaming ‘NOO!’ right before he throws Emperor Palpatine into the reactor shaft near the end of Return of the Jedi. Now, anyone outside of the Star Wars fandom would hear this and think nothing of it, but Star Wars fans got incredibly upset with this addition. I’m mean they got real upset. It was on the same level as when Lucas made Greedo shoot first in A New Hope (which is totally different because that changed the whole character of Han Solo) and that is really upsetting.
Now don’t get me wrong, I too feel that some of the changes Lucas made to the movies were unnecessary, but then it is his movie franchise; he owns the right and he can really do whatever he pleases with them. But on the other hand, he does have a certain responsibility to his fans who have made his creation into the phenomenon that it has become.
Either way you look at it, one thing is clear: arguing about whether or not Lucas has ruined Star Wars is ultimately pointless. This writer would encourage you to simply shut up about it and enjoy the greatest films ever made.
If these fans hate the STAR WARS Prequel Trilogy or the Special Edition of the Original Trilogy, I don’t think there is anything you can do or say that will change their minds. Frankly, I would not bother changing their minds. They are not worth the effort. Just be mindful of “YOUR” feelings about the entire saga. I feel you will be a lot happier.