The People VS. George Lucas & Me
I Watched the trailer for The People vs George Lucas. I don't really get it with "George Lucas raped me, of my childhood". The way I look at it is George Lucas DEFINED my childhood and then 20 years later defined my kid's. I also don't get the tag "He took our money". He didn't make me go see the prequels in the theater (several times). He didn't make me buy multiple copies of the saga. He doesn't make me watch The Clone Wars. He simply keeps offering this Universe from a "Galaxy far, far away" because I, like millions of others (including the guys who made this documentary), keep spending our time and money on it.
Part of me though, thinks that this endless debate about new vs. old Star Wars is flattering. I mean, if these people didn't love Star Wars so much, then they wouldn't be so obsessed with crying about and making a film about how the new stuff is crap. I hope the makers of this documentary wouldn't argue that with "it's because we hate it with such a passion". My response would be is this really what you have chosen to devote your life to HATING so passionately? Not cancer or the government or even terrorism. No, Star Wars is what is ruining this great World of ours.
I don't mean to sound, well, like the people on this trailer. After all, it is a free country and these guys are allowed to speak their minds. But, I'm just trying to point out how ridiculous it sounds to me, that people would say "I LOVE STAR WARS!!! ...But man. It's... It's because I love it soo much, that I can say with all sincerity, that I HATE the creator of it, George Lucas!"
uuuuumm... ok.
Sad
I totally get criticizing his decisions moving forward.
But the "He stole my money and raped my childhood" shtick is the ugliest bit of fanboyism I have ever experienced.
I love the points you made. I see both sides of the argument. But I can't really choose a side because I'm guilty of loving most of his work and for example bitching about how he won't release the "original" Star Wars yet I go buy Special Editions on DVD and soon Blu-ray too.
Great blog!
Thanks for your feedback guys. @cereal182 - Yeah, don't get me wrong man. There are some parts of the prequels that I do find to be silly. Yes, I do wish that he had gotten some help with the scripts too. I also agree that the the more that the universe is expanded, the more room there is for inconsistancies. But, to me, these things are nothing more than topics to poke fun about while having a discussion with other Star Wars Geeks. Not to start a movement to declare George Lucas the Anti-Christ. lol
I also forgot to add that I can be very forgiving to Lucas on anything Star Wars related. However, where he really pissed me off was Indy 4. I would love to get a hold of the Frank Darabont script the Ford and Spielberg loved but Lucas reportedly dismissed.
@dstoudt80-I'm glad we can agree on Star Wars. But, for me, I can honestly say that the only groan-worthy moment of Crystal Skull, was the Tarzan-Swing. I'm a little embaressed to admit that it is my second favorite, behind Raiders. :P But, I love them all. With that said, I would love to read the other scripts too!
But, that's just it razgriz. I don't believe he has "turned into" anything. I think he is still the same fun-loving sci-fi geek that feels that technology was finally able to catch up with his imagination. He originally shot the deleted Jabba scene for A New Hope, in hopes that he could somehow create Jabba later. When he realized that he didn't have the money or the means to do it, he just omitted it. When technology caught up 20 years later, he wanted to add the scene back in, to kind of tie the whole trilogy together. I know. I'm just yammering. And I could be wrong. He could be the big money-grubbing jerk, that some people think he is. lol! But, I'll keep giving him mine. Star Wars is just FUN for me. No matter how ridiculous it may get.
George Lucas literally said "I like being thought of as a toy maker who makes film." He's all about merchandising. I have a problem with someone who cares more about that than film-making.
Yeah, point taken cerealkiller. But again, just like the movies, I am re-living my childhood through my kids. Cause I play with their toys. ;)
They often refer to the 80's Transformers cartoon as the first half hour long toy commercials, because the show was just an excuse to pettle the toys. But, I was ok with it then and I'm ok with it now, cause I enjoy playing with the toys as much as watching the shows.
I too, don't understand the concept of loathing George Lucas but loving his work. What I will say though, is that I don't respect the man anymore and haven't enjoyed a movie he's made in a long, long time. The Star Wars prequels are boring, emotionless, CGI covered excuses for movies, and were made for the almighty dollar. I have a hard time believing he spent as much time tweaking the scripts and storyboards as he did envisioning the toy-lines and lightsaber battles. Indy IV did the same thing for me... which was nothing. It took a similar concept that we all know and loved, tweaked it a bit and it turned out rather boring, bland, emotionless and awkward.
Again, these are all of my opinions and do not reflect everyone's views on the prequel trilogy OR Indy IV, but it's just my two cents. I truely thank George Lucas for creating the Star Wars universe and helping to craft the character of Indiana Jones. I feel however, that it would be in the fans and the Star Wars universe's best interest if he were to step back and give creative control to a new team of ambitious writers and filmmakers. When your sole motivation has turned from artistic vision to marketing your product then... I think it's time to drop the ego.... and he can't do that.
First of all JL, let me say "well said". Second of all, let me say "I partly agree". LOL!
Part of me would love to see this great Universe that he has created through the eyes of a different and certainly better artist.
However, the other part of me has to admit, that no matter what the critics (self-proclaimed professionals or us the fanboys) say after the movies are released, it doesn't change the fact that the lowest domestic box-office for either of the Star Wars trilogies or all four Indy Films is still 180 Mil. (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom) So, as long as they continue to have that kind of return, then why would he consider giving up his "cash-cows". It's easy to say that the majority of fans over 16 hated Crystal Skull. But, if a fifth one gets made, my money is betting that it still makes over $200,000.000 domestic, even with his name attached to it.
I'm just not sure if it's ego, or just the great love for something that he would hate to see made without his envolvement, because he just wants to be a part of it.
I think the entire concept is fucking retarded. I love the saga but I hate the creator?!? What the fuck is that?
George Lucas gave us a gift and I'd love to hear these people tell George to his face that they hate him. Now that would be a documentary. Cause it would never happen.