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The Shortcomings of Star Wars I-III, Part 1
Ah, Star Wars Episodes I-III. Considered canon but not unanimously considered classic (or even decent), these controversial films still warrant discussion. But even though this post is called “The Shortcomings,” you’ll only find good stuff in Part 1; I saved all the Negative Nancy (and a little more good stuff) for Part 2. Don’t forget to check it out! Despite its shortcomings, there are still plenty of great aspects for fans to celebrate in Episodes I-III, so let’s begin there, shall we?
WHAT WORKED MUSICALLY
Now, if you read my post about Episodes IV-VI, you already know my obsession with John Williams. I raved about my love for many of his themes in the original trilogy, and I had to stop short so it didn’t take over the whole article. So this time around, I’ll mention a mere two songs from Episodes I-III that deserve our awe.
Across the Stars
A love theme for Anakin and Padme, “Across the Stars” is perfect. It begins in a wistful minor key as an oboe hauntingly spins the melody. Throughout the song, you can hear Anakin’s unsettled nature in the restless, foreboding strings undergirding the theme, and yet the harp delicately repeats the melody, suggesting the character and home of Padme, where “everything’s soft and smooth.” (Sorry, I had to.) These two aspects combine to form a tumultuous, triumphant theme that ends as it began: with a haunting, minor oboe foreshadowing a less-than-happy ending.
Duel of the Fates
On a completely different note is the masterful “Duel of the Fates.” Written for the light saber battle between Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul in Episode I, the song is—dare I say—epic. I know the use of “epic” as an adjective is passé, but I couldn’t think of another word to describe the urgent, weighty, life-and-death feeling that this song conveys. And talk about restless! The strings and brass are constantly repeating the same five staccato notes as the chorale chants the melody. Several surprising chords and key changes signify a sudden shift of fortunes in the battle, while the intense vocals are reminiscent of one of my favorite classical pieces, “O Fortuna,” which bemoans the fickle nature of fortune. Despite a false ending earlier in the song, the real ending crashes to a halt in a jerky, stop-and-go explosion of cymbals. Please, just listen to it; the song is awesome.
WHAT WORKED STORY-WISE
Major Characters
First off, let’s just talk about one of my favorite Episode I-III characters, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I love Ewan McGregor’s portrayal of this young Jedi. His interpretation was spot on, his lines felt natural, and he was often the comic relief foil for Anakin’s…Anakinness. I love the character’s growth from Qui-Gon’s Padawan to the Jedi master who trains Anakin to his friend, mentor, and brother to his brokenhearted adversary. Despite the stilted awkwardness of several other characters, Ewan McGregor helps me believe in Obi-Wan and, consequently, in the films themselves.
Minor Characters
There are plenty of awesome smaller characters as well. One of my favorites is Dex from Dex’s Diner. This guy is such an accurate diner cook that I feel like I’d find him in the kitchen of any Waffle House in the country. Stubbly chin, filthy shirt, sagging potbelly, and plumber’s crack: all these details make him resonate with me. While this next one is a creature rather than a character, I love the iguana-dragon that Obi-Wan rides on when he’s searching for General Grievous in Episode III. Apparently there’s a name not only for the animal’s species but for the animal herself: she is Boga the Varactyl. (Maybe that needless bit of trivia will help you out on a game show one day.) I love her colors, her feathery head, and especially her call like an echoing seal. I want one!
Plot
And, finally, I do appreciate the portrayal of Anakin’s downward spiral. Although it’s sometimes clumsily executed, the rise, fall, and redemption of Anakin Skywalker is the whole point of the Star Wars saga, so Lucas covers some pretty important ground in Episodes I-III. We see him grow from a plucky, boastful slave boy to an arrogant, unstable teenager and finally to an angry, misguided young adult. His decline motivates his Vader-ness, but his origin justifies his ultimate redemption. I’ll say more on the acting in the next post, but the content of the films was necessary and helpful.
Quotes
Partly due to their release dates and partly due to stylistic choices, the dialogue in Episodes IV-VI can feel kind of dated today, more like classic comic books than natural conversations. Episodes I-III still have this feel to them, but Lucas did modernize some of the verbal and situational humor. Personally, I enjoy the continued use of “I have a bad feeling about this,” especially as it’s Obi-Wan’s first line in Episode I. Some jokes get better with age, and I think this is one of them.
The prequels’ dialogue also contains some (almost heavy-handed) foreshadowing. When Padme and Anakin are attempting to flirt in Episode III, he tells her that she’s beautiful because he’s so in love with her. She asks, “So love has blinded you?” He says that’s not exactly what he meant, but she smilingly replies, “But it’s probably true.” Given the way he’s about to lose his ever-livin’ mind and slay all the younglings in a loving attempt to keep her from dying, I’d say this is foreshadowing. Even before this, she confesses her love to him in Episode II by saying, “I’ve been dying a little bit each day since you came back into my life.” And just to keep up the trend, he practically kills her. Finally—the most tragically ironic of all—Obi-Wan remarks on Anakin’s impulsive behavior in Episode II by saying, “Why do I get the feeling you’re going to be the death of me?” Ouch. Too soon, Lucas. Too soon.
WRAPPING IT UP
“Hey, wait! The article’s over, and you didn’t mention any shortcomings!”
Yes, I know. I got carried away, and the article would have been far too long. I had to split it for both our sakes. While more to say about this I have, for the next post you must wait. Until then, may the Force be with you.
Today’s Question: Who is your favorite Episode I-III character?
Check out the next post here!
One Comment on “The Shortcomings of Star Wars I-III, Part 1”
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I would have to agree that Obi-wan is a solid character and by far the best for those films mentioned. I enjoy Jar Jar Binks a lot…..jk. But now that your blood is boiling I actually enjoy R2-D2 a lot. I think what makes him special to me is that he is always doing the right thing. Even when it seems like he messed up or has a slip, trip, and fall moment he recovers and saves the day. He (like Obi-Wan) is just that consistent good character that has a positive note throughout the entire saga no mater the circumstances. To contrast him with C3PO who is sometimes intentionally annoying with his worrying and confusion. I liked your notes about the music score. That was well said and like many of John Williams scores it can redeem some of the bad plots or characters just by telling a better story through music. Except for Jar Jar Binks…not even John Williams can erase him…oh Lucas…WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!?!??!