Letters: May 20, 2002

Inside the New Star Wars

As a lifelong fan of the Star Wars saga, I have nothing but the utmost respect for writer-producer-director George Lucas [ARTS, April 29]. I'm looking forward to Star Wars: Episode II--Attack of the Clones, but Star Wars: Episode I--The Phantom Menace was a bad movie because it was a weak story poorly told. It focused on arcane trade disputes and internecine politics instead of characters. Too many key scenes were designed to show off all the new tricks and special effects. As for Lucas' assertion that he can't make his films for fans, I agree that he can't seriously consider every criticism. But sometimes the fans' understanding of the world Lucas has created exceeds his own. RICARDO ALLEYNE Toronto

I enjoyed the Phantom Menace and can't wait to see Attack of the Clones. Filmmaker George Lucas has taught the world the meaning of special effects and deserves all the credit he gets. I don't believe it's fair to criticize his approach to making the Star Wars films. He has the ability to make exciting movies, and if it takes years of solitude between making them, that's fine with me. Titanic can't compare in quality and ingenuity with the Star Wars saga. REBECCA SAKSEFSKI Louisville, Ky.

Star Wars fans can only hope that Attack of the Clones makes up for the disappointment of The Phantom Menace. GARY MARTINEZ Winnetka, Calif.

You quoted Lucas as saying "The next film is really dark...The issue is, Will people stand for it?" Not only will we stand for it, it's what we've been waiting for all along. We want the darkness. It's what makes the story truly interesting, and it's the reason The Empire Strikes Back is my favorite movie in the saga thus far. A happy ending may please the crowd, but a dark ending will make people think. There are plenty of saccharin-sweet movies out there. I want something I have to wrap my mind around. MELISSA MORTH Houston

Lucas may pretend that the Star Wars movies are meant to enlighten us about the degeneration of democracies into dictatorships, but, as you wrote, it is closer to the truth that "the movie extends the franchise's target audience from 12-year-old boys (the action stuff) to 15-year-old girls (the smoochy scenes)." What these movies are about is filling seats and selling Star Wars merchandise. PETER DALEY Purcellville, Va.

--Readers longing for a respite from hard-news cover stories registered their gratitude for the guide to the new Star Wars movie. "Thank you for reporting on something that does not blow up civilians on a bus, drive tanks through refugee camps, molest children or plot to destroy America," wrote a relieved Virginian. "I'm content to focus on events that take place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away." Agreed a New Yorker: "A little comic relief is frequently necessary for survival, when we consider the times we live in." And a North Carolina teen asked, "Can't this crazy world learn a thing or two from that sagacious Jedi master, Yoda?"

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