10 Lessons Star Wars Episode 7 Can Learn From The Prequels
7. Recapture A Sense Of Mystery
Frankly, we did not need to know about the Midi-Chlorians. At one time, the Force was an energy field, created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together. But in the prequels, the mysterious Force became something one could analyze with a blood test. Lost, then, was the sense of wonder and mystery surrounding the Force. The reveal in Episode I was the equivalent of finding God under a microscope. The Star Wars prequels also managed to diminish the mythos surrounding Darth Vader. Many viewers found that Anakin Skywalkers story, as played out in the prequels, was far less satisfying that the ones created in their imaginations. Why was Clint Eastwoods Man with No Name was such a powerful cinematic character? His enigmatic past had a profound impact on the imaginations of the audience. We would hope that J.J. Abrams understands that fantasy and science fiction dont need to explain everything. If the characters and worlds created within these genres are overanalyzed, audiences rely less on their imaginations. In telling a truly great story its not a crime to create a sense of mystery. But it is a crime to utterly destroy it.
