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SINGAPORE: There is a disturbance in the Force.
While one faction of Star Wars fans is pleased as Jedi punch that a new chapter in George Lucas’ sci-fi juggernaut is about to hit, another is not pleased at all.
“Does he think he’s taking candy from babies?” asked a friend of mine, a huge fan of the franchise.
With prequels, re-releases, comics, toys, novels, collector’s DVD box sets and now, the animated TV series and an animated movie, it’s no wonder that fans feel aggrieved that the creator of Star Wars universe is taking candy from babies who cannot help themselves – diminishing the institution in the process.
But let’s face it: You’re going to watch it anyway.
With all this jumping back and forth in time with prequels and their subsequent sequels, Today presents a chronological guide to the Star Wars universe.
In us, the Force is strong, hmm?
A NEW, NEW BEGINNING
Lucas’ prequel story starts in the year 32 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin) with Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace (1999).
For those not in the know, the BBY acronym refers to the massive battle in the original Star Wars film in which Luke Skywalker destroys the evil Empire’s celestial base and most potent weapon — the Death Star — just before it takes out the rebel base on Yavin 4.
For those who don’t care for geek-speak, it simply means it’s 32 years before the events of the first film.
In rescuing planet Naboo’s Queen Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) from a Trade Federation-sanctioned blockade of her planet, Jedi Master Qui Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) stumble upon one Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) — a boy who shows great Force potential.
The Jedi find that the mysterious Sith are connected with a blockade on Naboo that sparks war. Young Skywalker plays an important part in the Naboo victory over the Trade Federation and becomes a padawan (pupil) of Obi-Wan.
While the film made US$924.3 million (S$1.3 billion) at the box office worldwide, two-dimensional acting, the very annoying Jar Jar Binks — who never looked like he was in the same visual plane as his human co-stars — and a scientific explanation of “the Force” (a “midichlorian” presence that can be quantified in a blood sample) did not go down well with purists. Neither did the next instalment...
WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Set 10 years after the events of Episode I (this would make it 22 BBY), Star Wars: Episode 2 — Attack of the Clones (2002) finds Anakin (now played by Hayden Christensen) growing strong in the Jedi order as he flirts with the dark side, while the galaxy is once again thrown into chaos as separatists look to break away from the Galactic Republic.
Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), the man behind the villainy in Episode I, plots to take over the senate and amass full power — an act culminating in a massive battle between the Republic’s Clone Army and the separatists’ Droid Army at the end of the movie.
The listless plot is exacerbated by the sappy love story between Anakin and Padme, with unspeakably mushy dialogue in what is likely not one of the thespian performances either actor will be proud of.
Suffice to say, Christensen looked more like a whiny adolescent boy than the fear-inspiring Darth Vader that his character is to turn into.
SINGING A DIFFERENT TOON
Chronologically, this is where the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which opens in cinemas tomorrow, fits into the saga.
Lucas looks to further explore the development of Anakin before he steps across to the dark side, but succeeds more in entertaining audiences with flashy battle sequences than delving into the character of the tragically-flawed hero.
War continues between the Republic Clone Army and the Separatist Droid Army, spreading across the galaxy.
The Clone Wars animated television mini-series that ran on Cartoon Network (that premiered in 2003) follows the film chronologically depicting the various battles as the war continues.
NOOOOOO!!!
Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith (2005) picks up where the animated series ends — in 19 BBY, three years after the onset of the Clone War in Episode II.
The Jedi finally catch on to Palpatine’s plot, but he manages to draw Anakin to the dark side of the Force and massacres all the Jedis, except for Yoda and Kenobi.
Padme dies while giving birth to Luke and Leia Skywalker, while Anakin is cut down in battle by Kenobi, requiring the famous black Darth Vader suit to survive. His transformation from cute kid to evil villain is complete and ready for the original trilogy.
While the acting in Lucas’ sixth foray into his conceived universe isn’t as bad as in the first two prequels, the unintentionally hilarious moment at the end when Vader discovers Padme’s death, breaks his shackles and yells “Noooooo!!!” just makes my skin crawl.
BACK TO THE FUTURE
Lucas’ original Star Wars (1977) fits in here. Re-released as Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, the story is set 19 years later, when the Republic is no more and the Emperor (Palpatine’s snazzy new moniker) controls the Galactic Empire.
Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is kept in the dark about his lineage, but discovers the Force through Kenobi (here played by Alec Guiness), and helps save the rebel base from the Death Star, the most powerful weapon of the evil Empire.
It was described as “an epic without a dream” by renowned film critic, the late Pauline Kael. Of course, she couldn’t be more wrong.
It was an inspired work that gave birth to the dreams of a whole generation; a generation that lapped up Lucas’ next two installations, Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983).
A FAMILY AFFAIR
It is three years later, and Luke finds himself stranded on Dagobah, where he trains under wee Jedi Master Yoda (voiced by Frank Oz, the man behind Miss Piggy). After a swashbuckling duel, which sees him losing a hand, Luke finds out that Lord Vader is actually his father (Noooooo!!!). But not before sharing a tender kiss with Princess Leia, who later turns out to be his sister (Noooooo!!!).
THE END OF AN EMPIRE
The final instalment in the saga takes place roughly a year after the events of the previous one. Just before going on to destroy the second Death Star, Luke has to face his father, with whom he reconciles — in a shower of sparks — before the old man kicks the bucket. Luke and also manages to eliminate the evil Sith from the galaxy.
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU
It seems that Pauline Kael did get one thing right about Star Wars. She said: “For younger audiences, (Star Wars) is like getting a box of Cracker Jacks that is all prizes.”
Ours is a generation that sat back and was wowed by Lucas in the ’70s and ’80s. We swallowed the Star Wars myth hook, line and sinker.
The Clone Wars, the latest addition to the saga, has lightsaber duels that will blow your mind and battle scenes that push the boundaries of the Star Wars universe. True, it’s a little soft in the plot department, but it will still amaze.
Let George Lucas and director Dave Filoni take you back to your childhood. And let the man take your candy. It seems a fair exchange for lightsabers, the Force and the dreams that you grew up dreaming, in the universe he gave you. - TODAY/sh
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