Letters: May 30, 2005

(2 of 5)

I don't know a Jedi from Yoda, but John Cloud's Viewpoint "How Star Wars Saved My Life" filled me with joy as I read how the movies enabled him to discover and lose himself in those characters and their experiences. Cloud's descriptions of his feelings and the impact those movies had on his life show why brilliant writing and the imagination of people in the arts are so important in our lives.

MICHELE ADASHEK

Bel Air, Calif.

Cloud's Viewpoint was delightful. It transported me to a quieter, more peaceful time. Thanks for the emotional and mental vacation. The piece was a refreshing respite from articles about politics and elected officials and the negativity that seemingly surrounds us today.

GERALD J. LUONGO

Pompano Beach, Fla.

Although I have been an ardent moviegoer for more than 35 years, I don't care that this is Lucas' last in the Star Wars series. That his movies have amassed billions of dollars in worldwide box-office receipts doesn't make Lucas a great filmmaker. If he wants to prove himself, let him come up with something in addition to spaceships and special effects. Until he does that, I will prefer directors like Steven Spielberg, whose films Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan show how deeply he can engage people's emotions. While I respect Lucas, if he wants to engrave his name in the annals of cinema, he needs to produce something quite different from the children's entertainment he has been making.

ABBAS ALI MASSAH

Tehran

What a coincidence: Almost exactly 60 years after the end of World War II in Europe, the Star Wars villain, Darth Vader, is on TIME's cover. I imagine he is there not only to attract readers but also to symbolize that the once mighty "evil empire" eventually collapsed. May the Force stay with you.

AREK DRUZDZEL

Radom, Poland

The New Pontiff

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, was a reasonable choice to lead the Roman Catholic Church [May 2]. Succeeding an icon like John Paul II is never easy. Being elected to do so requires the right personality and a myriad of skills. As one of John Paul's closest confidants, the new Pope knows best where to begin his pontificate, presumably without departing significantly from his predecessor's agenda. Benedict might well fool his critics by becoming more than the intellect-driven, dogmatically conservative transitional figure they expect him to be. My first impression of his papacy is that it is promising.

DANIEL BREITENMOSER

St. Gallen, Switzerland

Praise God for a conservative Pope. The world does not need a Pope who would bend to its questionable secular values. What is necessary is to have leaders who will stand up for what's right and fight for the morals of God's timeless word. Each generation has lowered the bar a little further and been more lenient than the previous generation. It's time we raise our standards again. No one said it would be easy, but everything of value comes at a price.

DANIEL LEHMANN

Johannesburg

John Paul II's Legacy