In defence of Episode 1

Disclaimer: This was a spontaneous, rant type post written at 2am after a few glasses of wine. But that doesn't make it any less valid, maybe just a little less concise, and eloquently expressed.

Be forewarned, this post is saying good things about the new Star Wars trilogy, so if you aren't a fan of Episodes 1, 2 & 3, and don't have an open mind to hear about it, just stop reading now. I'm not saying everyone has to love it, but I feel like people expect it to be something other than it is. So with that said, here we go...

Here's the thing about Episode 1- it's a kids movie. Over 20 years had passed since the original, and it was time for a new generation to have their own version for it. I can defend this because I was a child at the time. The first time I ever saw Star Wars was the 20th anniversary re-release in 1997. And I loved it, it was awesome, but I didn't become obsessed until I saw Episode 1 on it's release date. My brother pre-ordered tickets for us, and that was it. My life was changed. Episode 1 was what introduced me to the extended universe, for all the possibilities that Star Wars was presenting. I read the Expanded Universe books, collected the action figures and studied visual dictionaries. The original trilogy made me want to play around with a light sabre and simulate Darth Vader's voice, but seeing the Ep. 1 made me want to find out how light sabres are made and why Vader has that voice.

Sure, they didn't have the same sort of fun, clever originality of Ep. 4, 5 & 6, but we got the opportunity to see a world so beautiful, vast and extensive that we could barely have imagined. The acting might not have felt as genuine (except for Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan, that was just fantastic) and we didn't have the same connection with the characters, but we had the opportunity to literally discover a universe. We have the best light sabre fights, chase scenes and visuals that we ever could have asked for.

And I may be condemning myself for it, but I'll say it anyways. I don't really have a problem with Jar Jar Binks. There. I said it. But before you ridicule me, let me explain why. I was 10 years old when Episode 1 came out, and while Jar Jar may not have been my favorite character (in fact, I think even I, as an impressionable youth, didn't like him that much) I know many children who loved him. At the time, I was a lunch monitor or something of that nature for a kindergarten class. As my wild and crazy self, I decided that rather than call the kids by their names, I was going to name them each after the Star Wars Characters they most reminded me of. So what did everyone clamber to be? Not to be Vader, Han, Lando or Boba Fett. They all wanted to be Darth Maul, Jar Jar or Qui-Gon. The child I eventually nicknamed Jar Jar (who was thrilled with his new identity) would love to imitate the klutzy gungan. His favourite was to re-enact the scene where Jar Jar preforms and acrobatic jump into the lake on Naboo. So while he may have been an immature and annoying character to you or I, to the 5 year old that George Lucas wanted to appeal to, he was perfect.

So for me, seeing the battles on Mustafar, traffic on Coruscant, the sleekness of a Naboo cruiser or to have Yoda actually pick up a light sabre was just awe inspiring. And I know, perhaps the same thing could have been achieved while still staying more similar to the original trilogy. But the last thing we needed was a carbon copy of 4, 5 & 6. It's a different story, being told to a different generation, with different technology and different expectations. And I believe George Lucas intended it as such. It's a freaking kids movie. So to everyone hating on Lucas for all his changes, while I don't necessarily agree with all of them, I do have to say: Lay off. I know it hurts to see him change the trilogy you love, but face it. It's not your trilogy, and it wouldn't exist in the first place without him. So if you don't like the changes, you don't have to watch them, it's as simple as that.

Basically, it's a kids movie, that's what it was meant to be, and it worked. A new generation was introduced to it and they loved it. Even if all it managed was to segway that generation into watching the original trilogy, there's nothing wrong with that. If that upsets you, just go watch the original trilogy again. No one it forcing you to re-watch the new ones.

Maybe I'm just being naive, (and I guess this sentiment is in the same vein as being angry at Lucas) when someone insults something I love, I take it personally. And the love I have towards Star Wars is unconditional. UNCONDITIONAL. So as cheesy as it might be, as altered as it might get, I don't think I'll ever bite the hand that feeds me. Well, I might nibble... or stab with a fork. But lovingly. At the end of the day, I'm going to find some part of it to appreciate, and I would suggest you do the same.

Don't be a hater!

End Transmission

Apocalypse Later, Surf Now

This is a beautifully done surf video... set to the backdrop of the apocalypse. It's really well done, well visualized concept.

A quote from the youtuber keef70 who created it (via the daily what):

"The machines in the distance are oil rigs, their cylindrical legs allow them to walk/float anywhere in the ocean and [they] have sucked the Earth dry like locusts. The airships aren’t an invading force, but a massive evacuation by other humans trying in vain to escape the meteor hellstorm raining down."

Great context. Anyways, check it out.

SO STOP TALKING ABOUT IT!

see more epicfails

World's not gonna end people... Maybe the Mayans are just the worlds most epic trolls? Or they figured they had a few thousand years to keep working on that calendar.