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From: johnw@astroatc.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.movies,net.movies.sw
Subject: Re: _Star_Wars_  (spoiler)
Message-ID: <164@astroatc.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 27-Jun-85 16:22:12 EDT
Article-I.D.: astroatc.164
Posted: Thu Jun 27 16:22:12 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 29-Jun-85 00:32:52 EDT
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Distribution: net
Organization: Astronautics ATC, Madison, WI
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Xref: watmath net.movies:6784 net.movies.sw:542

> 
> 
>                            _Star_Wars_
> 
>                         by Kelvin Thompson
> 
>  _Star_Wars_, yet another entry in the recent spate of "Space Operas," is
>  a bad, morally empty movie.  Look, quick!!  It has lights!!  It has
>  zooming spaceships!!  It has laser flashes!!  It has explosions!!  Look
>  closer, and it has nothing.

Star Wars is a FANTASY-Adventure, that just happens to take place
"a long time ago, in a Galaxy far, far away".  At this it is Excelent!
As for value, I recall that it won an Oscar. (Not bad for what you call
a worthless movie, especially considering that most critics would agree
with you!)
	Why to people expect *MUCH* more from a movie in space?  (See a
previous posting about Battlestar Galactiac posted to net.startrek)

	Look at how much is made off of James Bond movies....Do they have
any deep meaning, or new and original plot lines?  Are they less 
predictable?
	I happen to *LIKE* special effects, and I agree that removeing them
all would detract from the movie, but what would you have if you
made "Raiders" with 20 year old techniqes?
>  any semblance of realism.  The spaceships make swishing and humming
>  noises as they maneuver about, and their lasers make zapping noises as
>  they fire -- all despite the fact that it has been scientifically proven
>  that there are absolutely no sounds in space.  

cuz it's a fantacy-adventure in space.  The *BIGGEST* tech. flaw that
can't be labled as "artistic licence is the personality of the robots,
but I LIKE them cuz it's a *FUN* movie, not a serious movie like
"Breakfast Club" or "The Big Chill" both of which were a bit boring!

>  
>  In another gaffe later in the movie, a robot supposedly manages to go up
>  and down a staircase, even though it is quite obvious that it is
>  structurally impossible for the robot to do so.  

C3PO is no prob...R2D2 is a tri-ped, and he can extend his fore limb
(he rolled down an incline with is "body" vertical, not normal to the
 inclne)  so he/she/it should beable to navigate stairs, thou not without
considerable difficulty.

>  
>  More important than any scientific error, however, is the glaring lack of
>  any moral statement.
---see abobe----
>  For example, when Hammill, the supposed hero of the movie, sees the
>  burned corpses of his parents, he responds by turning his head sideways. 

NO!  They are his Aunt and Uncle!  He hated them, there farm, and that
	whole planet!!  (Besides, real men don't cry!)  There death was
a predictable, and convenient way to get him to go with Obi Wan.

>  No tears, no shouts of outrage, just a crick in the neck and they are
>  forgotten. 

Quoting from the script (after the hologram-messages, and just after
	the destroyed jawa droid selling thing):
Luke: if they traced the robots here, they may have learned who they 
	sold them to.  And that would lead them back Home!
Luke reaches a sudden horrible realization, then races for the speeder and 
jumps in.
BEN: Wait, Luke!  It's too dangerous.
luke races off leaving ben and the robots...gets home...
Luke stumbles around in a daze looking for his aunt and uncle.
Suddenly he cones upon their smoldering reamins.  He is stunned, and 
cannot speak,  Hate replaced fear and a new resolve come over him.
---end quote---
it is common for one to not realize the full implication of a death
especially a sudden and violent death imeadeatly.  This is normal
psycology.

>  Nonetheless, parents should make
>  every effort to keep their children away from this morally bankrupt movie
>  and direct them toward a film which takes a useful stand on some of the
>  issues facing our world.  And, naturally, all ethical adults should stay 
>  well away from it themselves.
>  
Bull!  SW is good clean fun! It also has a clear image of good and evil.
It shows a kid become a man, and even if you were right, that it had
totaly no social value, I'd still go see it 10 times just for the effects.

There is nothing wrong with 1) good entertanment (Sometimes I hate sorries that
try TOO HARD to make a statement!  That detracts!)
and 2) technology for the sake of tecnology!  (read: good movie effects)

flame back to sw (I don't read movies)

------John Wardale  --  Madison, Wisconsin

any civilized machine !uwvax!astroatc!johnw

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