LaaF…Culture!

by dave k.

this weekend the first of the third set of trilogies, of the epic series known as star wars, smashed box office records to pieces.  here’s why i think that happened (no spoilers here).

3 SENTENCE REVIEW 

this is literally the most beautiful film in the series.  the tight shots and cinematography leave the audience with iconic, wondrous, and haunting images that stay emblazoned in one’s mind.  yes, the protagonist seems a little too perfect, some of the lines are heavy handed, and some exposition of new characters seemed wanting, but the movie delivers with fast-paced movement and taps into an uncanny feeling of nostalgia for something you’ve never seen before by showing respect for the original films while inverting characters in new ways.   

3 REASONS THIS EPIC ENDURES AS IT HAS

1. GOOD AND EVIL ARE CLEARLY DELINEATED*  

(*credit goes to my pastor for this insight) it may be the struggle to keep pressing on in the light of what seems insurmountable odds. it may be the struggle within yourself between what you know you ought to do and what you know you should not do.  we all have experienced a fight between good and evil, though we may not call it as such.  in fact, in the real world, it is not always clear what is good and what is evil as it is hidden, expressing itself differently in all things.  but in the world of star wars we have the fantasy of having the difference clearly delineated…light and dark sides, good and evil, love and hate.  in such a world it is easier to know where to stand.  we hope for such a world.     

2. IT EXPLORES THE PAINED FATHER-SON RELATIONSHIP

one of the most shocking reveals of all time in movies is at the heart of the star wars series (this is why i think people are so vehement on eithet the side of no spoilers or spoiling it for others) and this reveal centers on a father-son relationship.  it’s a relationship that is significant and has been storied for generations because it deals with where we come from and where we are going.  it is a particularly painful and torturous relationship for our generation as a third of children now live without their fathers in america (it may not be a coincidence that the no-fault divorce also gained traction in the the 1970’s, the decade when star wars was first released).  the father-son relationship is wrought with potential and tension: who is my father and what does that say about me? what does it mean to be a man?  when is it necessary to take a different course then my father?  what do you do when your son takes a course against you?  what is the legacy you want to leave your son?  this could be a possible underlying reason why dudes are much more passionate about the star wars films and don’t understand how the ladies can check out of the film so easily.  the father-son relationship is a tricky one and in star wars we see it unfold.  we need to be reconciled back to our Father(s).    

3. WE LONG TO CONNECT WITH SOMETHING GREATER THAN OURSELVES 

perhaps it is a thirst for adventure.  perhaps it is to see a world beyond our own.  perhaps it is to be a part of a something more meaningful.  We all long for something greater.  in the star wars films this something greater is called “the force”.  it is in all things and binds all things together.  in the films we see an ordinary person tapping into something far greater than themselves to do extraordinary things.  it sounds strange but yet it also sounds vaguely familiar and compelling.  some call this something greater, God.  His fingerprint is in all creation and He hold the universe together.  followers of Jesus (jedi disciples) believe that they can be filled with His Spirit (the force) to release good (the light side) in the world.  we long for the return of that something greater than ourselves.                 

Tags: episode 7, episode seven, episode VII, father son relationship, fathers, sons, star wars, the dark side, the force, the force awakens