Movie Marathon Option #2 ~ Star Wars!

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Last week, I shared that if a dreary day was in the forecast and we had no where to be…the boys would probably launch a movie marathon with the Lord of the Rings Trilogy a top pick.

Well, this week I thought I would share their second pick…the Star Wars movies.

Now, with six films in the series, this is not a rainy afternoon into evening kind of event.  Unless you stick with just the ‘old’ or ‘new’ trilogy that is.  But, it could be a week long of evenings or a weekend marathon.

I know that Mr. O and I have found ourselves sucked into this series when it airs on TV in a marathon format.  Now that we own all six movies, we are not as likely to watch it on the television.  Where’s the fun in sitting through an unending stretch of commercials when you can watch the film without interruption?

While the series has six episodes, you can easily group episodes I, II and III into one trilogy showing how the evil Empire came into power and then episodes IV, V, and VI showing how the good Jedi make a comeback and toss out those evil entities.

If asked for a favorite, I think everyone in my family would favor the original films from the late 70s and early 80s.  I still have a vivid memory of standing in line outside a theater in Seattle to see Star Wars with my dad.  Even though there was an excitement in the air, I think more about the incredible clouds that passed overhead for our entertainment while we slowly inched forward in line.  And, I seem to recall it being a rather grand theater with a circular seating arrangement in the lobby.

Now…for any of my readers who have not seen all the films or maybe have not watched them in quite a while….  I want to issue a warning that the newer series (so Episodes I, II, and III) are more violent than the first as is reflected in the PG-13 rating compared to the PG rating of the other films.  I made my eldest son wait a while before watching the third episode after hearing there is a character beheaded.  So while the themes running through some of the movies is laudable, the format is not for young kids or those who are easily affected by exposure to any sort of violence.

Synopsis of Star Wars Films (Episodes 1 – 6)

Here’s my synopsis of each film:
In Episode I, we are introduced to the Jedi…warriors that can utilize an unseen Force.  They got a bit ‘technical’ in trying to explain how only some of the population could become a Jedi.  Hubby thought this theory of something in the blood completely ruined an aspect of the series.  Anyways, there is unrest going on and when trying to keep one ruler (Queen Amidala) safe, the Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn discovers a young Anakin Skywalker who he believes will become a powerful Jedi.  Lots of battles to overthrow the groups threatening peaceful nations, too.  And, you learn that a darker force is most likely behind the upheaval.

Jump forward several years and you find Anakin is now a young man who is easily swayed by his emotions.  Obi-Wan Kenobi has been training him and the young Amidala becomes the love interest of Anakin.  Like many other middle movies in a trilogy, this one sets the stage for what is to come, including the creation of Clones that will be used in a war.

Here we see Anakin give into his emotions and plunge completely into the dark side.  Even the love of Amidala and her pregnancy can not keep him from crossing over.  This movie provides an illustration of how easily a dark lord can seduce someone into doing their bidding and the person is blinded from seeing the true evil nature of said lord.  In the end, he is physically and emotionally maimed and loses his beloved Padmé and their children.

To me, this will always be the FIRST Star Wars film.  The graphic alongside is from the original theatrical release and not the re-mastered and extended edition released when the prequel was launching. The evil Empire has a chokehold on the galaxy and is trying to squash what remains of the rebels.  Luke Skywalker is drawn into the battle after delivering a droid bearing a message for Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Like many teenagers/young man, he is eager to fight the bad guys and rescue the beautiful Princess Leia from the Empire’s Death Star.  Life will never be the same for him or his companions, Princess Leia and Han Solo.

Luke Skywalker’s capture by a yeti-like creature helps to keep the ‘in it for myself’ Han Solo involved with the rebels.  After the Empire attacks the rebel base, the protagonists are split up.  Luke goes in search of the Jedi Master, Yoda, while the others end up seeking safe haven at the City in the Clouds only to become part of a trap set by Darth Vader.  Many great lines in this one (“There is no try.  There is only do and do not.” by Yoda to a frustrated Luke.  And, the “Luke, I am your father.” by Darth Vader in the midst of a battle between the two.)

The final movie in the series finds the rebels holding strong.  Luke and Leia work together to free a trapped Han Solo.  Once he’s free, they are off to disrupt the Empire’s construction of a new, more powerful Death Star.  Cute, almost cuddly creatures called Ewoks are drawn into the battle and everyone learns that Luke and Leia are siblings separated at birth.  In the end, good triumphs over evil and we are treated to a vision of the old Jedi masters (Yoda and Obi-Wan) alongside an un-deformed Anakin Skywalker dancing amid the flames of a fire.

This post has been submitted for inclusion in The Christian Home carnival (Issue 23) hosted by The Legacy of Home.
As the featured columnist for the Movies and Music category, you can be looking forward to weekly posts on what we are watching or music we’ve enjoyed.
Feel free to leave suggestions for me as well.  While I have several movies and some music selections in mind, I’m always on the lookout for other great choices.