A Lecture On Star Wars

Today of thirty years ago is a day that will be engraved in the history of movie for good. When Obi-wan ignited the lightsaber, he also ignited a new period of American movie, and ignited the dream of the human kind to the edgeless universe. Star Wars: A New Hope and the following five movies that made up two trilogies have profound influence in many aspects.

Star Wars is a milestone. The Original Trilogy, shot in 1970s to 1980s, are some of the earliest movies that use a great deal of special effects to fully realize the unparallel imagination of the playwright and the director. The Previous Trilogy, shot at the junction of 20th and 21st century, pushed this to the ultimate. Someone criticize that Star Wars “abuse computer special effects”.

However, we have to see that it is Star Wars that began the tradition in Hollywood of adequate usage of special effects, hence Star Wars indicates a new age of movie. One example I have to mention is The Lord of the Ring trilogy. The imagination of the novels can be compared with that of Lucas, and thus it can never appear on the screen without computer special effects.

Star Wars is a seeder. It put the seed of imagination, passion, and curiosity to the universe deep into its audiences, generation after generation. It's said that a majority of scientists in NASA are fans of Star Wars, and it's Star Wars that make them devote their life to the exploration of the universe.

Star Wars is not only a series of movie, it has melted into the blood of American culture, and has become a part of the soul of United States, just as The Romance of Three Kingdom of Chinese culture.

And now, today, standing on the foot of this peerless monument and looking up at the galaxy above, it’s necessary for us to realize there is an extraordinary saga should be forever remembered; there is an exceptional epic should be never forgotten; there is a brilliant legend should be forever engraved into our hearts; there is a glittering mythology should never be dropped from our minds. This masterpiece is Star Wars, an eternal fable, and an undying tale.

Thank you indeed, and may the Force be with you.