9. Conceptual Integration
The serials Lucas enjoyed as a boy, such as Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon, became instrumental in shaping Star Wars, and most likely provided a measure of confidence that the film would appeal to the next generation of teenage boys. It was perhaps a surprise, then, when it proved to be of such
wide appeal, though upon reflection, quite easily explicable. Simply put, Star Wars, and indeed Trilogy I in its entirety, conveyed a universally appreciable story and emotionally moving themes, and drove them home with stunningly creative visuals which ensured that almost anyone, of any age, could relate. For Trilogy II, Lucas took an entirely different approach, crafting the visuals, generally, and action sequences particularly, to be readily engaging (read: not too gritty or scary) to children, while ramping up the intellectual machinations of the plot to appeal to adults. Accordingly, we have the goofy droids and bungling Neimoidians (for hildren) juxtaposed with interplanetary commerce (for dults). Jar Jar Binks hamming it up during a battle to decide something as important as a planets sovereignty . A hover car chase leading to the investigation of a complex intrigue to create a secret army . And slapstick elevator hijinks juxtaposed with Anakins murder of Dooku; a sobering event which signposts another slide towards his eventual fall . Im sure that many small children
did find the visuals wonderful and action engaging (and not too gritty or scary), but from my perspective, they were far too glib and Pixar-esque. On the other hand, though, the grating melodrama and political manoeuvring were dull, hollow, and as a consequence, lacking in any real emotional bite. The result of this conceptual division was that children ended up with films they might have enjoyed on a simple level, but couldnt possibly understand, and adults were given a tedious plot linked by action sequences which evoked old Warner Brothers cartoons. To avoid a similar quagmire, Trilogy III must return to the essence of Star Wars: a simple story which tugs at the heart-strings; is earnest and shocking and tense at times; doesnt sugar-coat the stakes the characters are playing for; can be by turns comedic and heart-warming; and can be loved by anyone, albeit for different reasons. The emotional core of Star Wars is
yearning. For freedom. For love and the power to protect friends and family. For riches and respect. Only by treating such fervent desire with respect can Trilogy III hope to exist on par with the original.