George Lucas

George Lucas and The Creators of Star Wars

Star Wars was a movie made in 1979 about individuals in space who were rebelling against an oppressive system that had an emperor and his henchman. Star Wars was an amazing film because it described how individuals can persevere despite adverse circumstances, adversity, and opposition. Despite Luke, Han, Lea, and Lando living in an oppressive empire, they decide to resist the arbitrariness and corruption of the system. 

The first Star Wars films were amazing because they describe how individualism is important. Despite the film not depending on special effects, the story was impressive. Star Wars described how there is good and there is evil. Despite being outnumbered and oppressed by an evil system, the good rebels decide against all odds to destroy tyranny. 

Despite the empire having clones and using violence to control planets, the good rebels decide to resist tyranny. The first three films were masterpieces describing that it is possible to persist despite envy and persecution. Han Solo described the importance of being masculine and not a coward like Vader (who even harmed Padme) and can be described being a space cowboy. While initially not being entirely good, he is able to change and chooses to fight for autonomy and freedom instead of being corrupted and a sycophant. Han is tempted to take the easy way out and instead chooses to be loyal to the good rebels. 

The clone army or stormtroopers are sycophants who envy and hate the good rebels who fight for peace and harmony. The stormtroopers hate authenticity and want to only obey the orders of Palpatine. (There is a blooper outtake video of a stormtrooper hitting his head on a door frame while marching next to Vader. I became aware of this in my childhood and cherish how villainy is not good). Despite being persecuted and outnumbered, the good rebels make it out of all the difficult circumstances. Ben Kenobi helps train Luke and even describes how death is not to be feared. When Kenobi battled Vader, Kenobi knew that he had accomplished his purpose and did not fear death. Luke saw that Vader was a tyrant and a sycophant and decided to be incorruptible. Star Wars taught that integrity and morality are of greater importance than sycophantry and wickedness. Lea was able to fight against the empire and never gave in. Lando also decided to help the good rebels battle Vader and his troops initially (despite treachery the good rebels prevailed). Yoda trained Luke and prevented him from turning wicked. While initially it appeared that the empire was powerful, we begin to see how goodness and integrity can devastate hatred and wickedness. Even when the good rebels were not the majority, they managed to destroy the Death Star, persist despite envy, and never became corrupted by deceit. Vader even sees how wickedness does not help having turned him into a robot after murdering Padme and decides to end the emperor. Star Wars described that there is the need to persist with motivation despite a corrupt system. 

The Favorite Space Saga

There have been many space films since the 1970s, yet Star Wars seems to be among the most preferred space films (especially the original trilogy). Despite there being other space films like Alien, Predator, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and other space stories, Star Wars, Episode IV-VI, were admired by individuals. There are questions as to why Star Wars was preferred? It may be that it describes space travel and distant planets that are quite complex and interesting. It may be that it speaks about the importance of individualism over groups or collective. It may be that it speaks about the importance of Democratic Republics over totalitarian dictatorships. It may be that it speaks about keeping humility and integrity amidst envy and opposition. It may be that it describes the importance of peace and harmony between individuals from different places. It may be that it reproves envy and sycophantry. It may be that it seems to be inspired from Scripture and describes the need to persevere with faith.

Star Wars has so many characters and at the core of the film is the importance of living in harmony and serenity with others. Star Wars described that racism and bigotry is not needed seen in how the stormtroopers hated every different species. This caused the different planets to rebel against Palpatine and his sycophantic troops. Star Wars also depicted individuality and authenticity as something unique and to be celebrated. We see the heroes of the good rebels that are different from the stormtroopers. Luke was humble and innocent yet destroys the Death Star. Han Solo is not a sycophant by any means and delivers some of the wittiest lines in modern cinema. Leah is serene and brave. Yoda is intrepid and instructive. Chewbacca is loyal and fierce. The Ewoks are short but tenacious. Kenobi is wise and steadfast. The stormtroopers... well they have matching outfits. Star Wars helped us see that iniquity and deceit is not interesting. Instead individuality is to be cherished over sycophantry. Star Wars describes like some of the better films and series that racism, wickedness, envy, and sycophantry is not to be celebrated.

Dominating the Emotions

Similar to Lord of the Rings, Star Wars described the need to have self-dominion over the emotions. Star Wars described that the good rebels were pacifists and dominated the emotions. Star Wars taught that the emotions can be controlled and dominated. The Jedi were able to dominate the emotions along with righteous individuals. We learn that the wicked were described as being unable to dominate the emotions such as resentment, anger, hate, and envy. The Jedi were able to control the emotions and improve. The Sith were not able to dominate the emotions and behaved based on anger and envy. 

The Jedi Code described the importance of serenity and having dominion over the emotions. Serenity and self-dominion are important virtues to have. Star Wars was able to teach that the wisest characters were able to have serenity and also controlled the negative emotions. These lessons are important and allow us to remove negative emotions from our lives. Scripture describes that we can remove negative emotions from our lives. We can avoid idolatry that wants to cause negative emotions that then want to lead to disobedience of the commandments of Moses. Star Wars' A New Hope, the Empire Strikes Back, and the Return of the Jedi are good films because they instruct the need to dominate the emotions.

Jedi Academy

After the completion of the first trilogy, Episodes IV-VI, there were additional books, series, and multimedia that was created concerning the fate of Luke and the good rebels. There were books that described how Luke created a Jedi Academy that trained new jedi and fought against the forces of evil. The books detailed how Luke grows wise and instructs other individuals in the development of virtues instead of deceit. There were multiple books made about the original trilogy and also about the timeline of the Jedi Academy. The numerous books described how Luke was able to persevere along with Han Solo and Leah. 

Luke is able to make a difference and describes how Yoda and Kenobi were able to make a big difference. Star Wars instructs the importance of integrity and developing virtues instead of practicing deceit and wickedness. The empire collapsed after the death of Palpatine. The different rebels celebrate and persist despite having been oppressed and envied by evil. Luke uses his talents for good and creates new jedi that keep serenity and harmony throughout a New Republic. Star Wars also describes the importance and goodness of democracy in comparison to totalitarianism and dictatorships.

Star Wars Has a Great Soundtrack

The Star Wars soundtrack is also amazing composed of original symphony music. Star Wars is an amazing film and also has an amazing soundtrack that is distinct. The original trilogy had an amazing soundtrack from the start of the movie to the different battles. Luke's theme song or music played while living in Tatooine is also impressive. Vader's march song is ominous and imperialistic. The canteen of Mos Eisley has lively music composed of distinct clarinets. 

Star Wars not only described the importance of keeping integrity but also of enjoying quality music. We can choose good music instead of discouraging or negative music that wants to cause negative emotions, drug use, envy, and lust. 

The Faustian Deal

Star Wars even describes in a similar manner the story of Faust written by Goeth. Goeth described in the story of Faust that wickedness does not pay off. Faust is tempted to work for the accuser and decides to be wicked yet is afflicted and worsened. Star Wars describes how Anakin Skywalker believed the lies of the emperor and became a sycophant. While being promised "immortality" and "power", the emperor was only looking to use Anakin. Star Wars describes in the first three films starting in 1979 how Anakin is not happy acknowledging that he is a henchman of Palpatine and that he was lied to. Anakin decides to destroy Palpatine after seeing Luke's incorruptibility. Anakin dies yet also destroys the emperor. Luke survives and builds the Jedi Academy. 

Anakin's story describes how we can not believe the lies of the accuser. Anakin became a robot and also caused Padme to not survive. Star Wars describes how we can persevere without believing the lies of the snake that wants to tempt with the illusion of "power", false "relationships", and monetary wealth, and only wants to lead to destruction. Star Wars describes how sin and envy corrodes  an individual ("envy makes the bones rot") while empathy and goodness improve an individual. We can persevere knowing that deceit and envy are not good for anyone and instead empathy and kindness help us persevere (yet we avoid socialist rat snakes).