It doesn’t seem like there is an end to the list of things that Star Wars has brought to pop culture.  “I am your father,” Wookiees, Ewoks, the force, stormtroopers, X-Wings, cinnamon bun hair, lightsabers, and, well, you get the picture.  The original Star Wars trilogy is the stuff that movies are made for.  The movies are universally loved for their imaginative take on science fiction, and the fantastic stories, costumes, and special effects will continue to fuel the imaginations of millions of children and adults alike.   

The inspiring nature of the original trilogy was no more evident than when Lucas and company debuted the newer trio of films.  They looked great and modern, had acceptable enough plots (well, maybe not the Clone Wars…), and the same cheesy dialogue as the originals, but they missed a key element – the heart.  No longer did the costume and set designers have to work with limited technology and resources.  They had it all at their fingertips, but forgot that what made Star Wars special was the very thought of “how in the world did they do this??”  The very imagination that fueled the originals was lost.  

Perhaps that is ultimately the most inspiring thing about the Star Wars movies – they show us that there is a lot more to life than what meets the eye.  As the saying goes what glitters isn’t always gold, and what something looks like doesn’t mean much if it has no heart.

~ Stephen Russ