Star Wars - Episode 3 - Revenge of the Cosmic Humanist
Midnight ‘Sith’ showings set record
Anakin Skywalker: “You’re either with me, or against me.”
Obi Wan Kenobi: “Only the Sith deal in absolutes.”
Yes, I was there. At 9:45 pm Wednesday night I found myself mingling with Boba Fett, Darth Vader, Obi Wan, Qui Gong and, yes… even Jar Jar Binks. It was a bit surreal. I was accompanied by a group of College and High School students as well - each with their own unique view on the world. During the 2.5 hour wait for the movie to begin, I found myself in conversations on everything from Cosmic Humanism to the nature of sexuality - at which point one female student boldly proclaimed - “Everyone is part homosexual!” That was an interesting discussion…
But the most interesting - and rather irritating - portion of the evening was analyzing the philosophy of Star Wars (errr… George Lucas).
I think it would be safe to say that the theme of this 3rd (umm… 6th… whatever) episode is centered around this line (see above, “Only the Sith deal in absolutes“) from the movie. The first three movies in the Star Wars saga were all about an epic battle for good over evil. With this addition, Lucas and company have dismantled the meaning behind the first three movies. I suppose it would be overly obvious to point out that: if Obi Wan’s statement is true, the Jedi are actually the bad guys because they are claiming that it’s absolutely wrong to embrace one’s emotions and act from self-motivation. Still more obvious would be the point that Lucas’ materialistic motive in releasing this movie (and all it’s merchandise) makes him a card carrying member of the dark side.
In addition, Lucas has finally managed to fully “out” his Cosmic Humanist bent. The strong hints found in the “force” and the dualistic nature of the “light” and “dark” sides find their culmination in the statements above by Anakin and Obi Wan. The overwhelming impression I got from the movie was that the only thing that makes the “light side” different from the “dark side” is the consequences - Anakin ends the movie disfigured and suffering tremendous physical, mental and emotional anguish as the result of his actions. And yet, one gets the impression from the movie that there is no moral judgment to be pronounced - no ultimate right or wrong - simply two “forces” determined to clash against each other for eternity. Humanism at it’s finest - straight out of Marx’s Thesis/Antithesis/Synthesis (see Dialectical Materialism).
Still, the movie was entertaining - and evil does see it’s just reward (pain and suffering). As a side note, it was also nice to finally see special effects that didn’t feel as obviously overdone as in Episodes 1 and 2. So, it’s not without value. I highly recommend it for a discussion starter with both Christians and Non-Christians on the issues of philosophy and worldview - just be careful how much you absorb from the movie.
May 23rd, 2005 at 9:51 pm
is it Lucas or Spielberg?
i am on old school Star Wars fan- had all the toys and did the best Yoda impression in the neighborhood. The first two of this second generation realy didn’t impress me. i think a lot of it has to do with timing and novelty. i was compelled by my kids to go see this third installation. it wasn’t the best movie of the year, but it wasn’t too bad. there were some things that could be gleaned from it. for example, Yoda telling Anakin that he “must teach himself to let go of all things that he is afraid of losing” sure does speak to the ‘not laying up treasures’ thing in a sort of principled way. i liked his little speach about fear’s position in the gap between the light and dark sides. i think if you look for them, there are some redeeming qualities to the movie……….
May 24th, 2005 at 9:36 am
You know, I just noticed that… I switched people halfway through the article. I just turned 31, I didn’t know that meant you start getting senile! Problem fixed!
May 24th, 2005 at 4:54 pm
hey- Lucas, Spielberg, Stars Wars, E.T., what’s the difference really?
welcome to the land of 30 somethings. i’m 32, so you’re not too far behind me!
July 14th, 2006 at 6:09 pm
Exactly how was Lucas’ philosphy confusing in the PT? Because it didn’t match the simplistic morality of the OT? Good grief! I never realize how so many people are frightened by the idea that our world is not as simple as we would like to believe.
“I think it would be safe to say that the theme of this 3rd (umm… 6th… whatever) episode is centered around this line (see above, “Only the Sith deal in absolutes“) from the movie. The first three movies in the Star Wars saga were all about an epic battle for good over evil. With this addition, Lucas and company have dismantled the meaning behind the first three movies. ”
Where on earth did you get this idea? Do you honestly believe that Lucas believes the statement that came out of Obi-Wan’s mouth? And if you believe that Obi-Wan’s statement about absolutism was the theme of the PT, you really weren’t paying attention to the movies.