Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Rich H (R) on September 30, 2002 at 12:58:18

In Reply to: Don't blame Star Wars posted by Victor Khomenko on September 25, 2002 at 10:26:18:

Victor,

I respectfully, but totally, disagree with your assesment of Star Wars. Not high art, but hardly empty. A film as empty as the one you portray - a filmic video game - would not have brought me back to the theater over 25 times to see it (when I was young and it first came out). The legions of Star Wars fans the series inspired are hardly mindless (they think a little TOO much, methinks).

Despite cynical wisdom, Special Effects in of themselves are rarely enough to give a film legs. There are countless films that have been special effects heavy, but which have been abandoned by audiences for lack of compelling characters or plot. For many viewers, Star Wars had heart...characters they wanted to see again and again, and a coherent, cogent fantasy world in which to escape.

A lot of people blame Jaws for the same reasons they pile on Star Wars. But I saw Jaws more times than I can count because, long after the scares and gore had lost their impact, the characters, locations and story remained vital and compelling.

Many people have theories about the decline of hollywood, and usually these theories start with a completely subjective reaction to a film.
"I hated this popular film....therefore it's responsible for everything bad that has come since..."

I don't buy it.

Rich H.