With the release of the newest Star Wars film, "The Force Awakens," many Star Wars fans across the globe were newly revived. The energy, freshness, yet familiarity of the newest film filled old fans with energy and excited new fans. When the reviews came in for the movie, they were glowing. And for good reason.
So why is Star Wars such a resonant series, and not only with our generation but with generations of the past and the future? What is it about this film franchise that captivates us, even decades after its cinematic peak?
1. The characters are well-developed, lovable and brave. The characters in every Star Wars film are people to be admired. They take risks, they fight for what they believe in, and they stand up against the greatest evil in the galaxy. They're heroes, and yet they're all flawed in their own ways. They're very real in a universe that's not very real.
2. Speaking of the universe, it's wonderfully imaginative and realistic. The planets are vastly different from each other, and all kinds of people, creatures, and beings live throughout the galaxy. They're not alike, they live in very different circumstances, and that highly reflects our current world.
3. There's a clear line between good and evil, but not in an unrealistic way. The audience and the characters know who to root for. They know what's right and what's inherently wrong. They know who the perpetrators of evil in the galaxy are and they know what they're doing wrong. But even though the line between good and evil is clear in terms of characters -- Jedi vs. Sith, there's a blurring of morality, and many other elements are at play that call these ethics and values into question.
4. There's a little bit of everything. Romance, battles, fights, adventure, explorations, and friendship. And it's all interwoven seamlessly into the setting.
5. The characters endure human challenges as well as galactic challenges. They have to deal with the loss of a friend or family member the same way the audience may have to. They have to deal with circumstances of betrayal, anger, and jealousy. Throughout the films, they have to deal with normal challenges, but they also fight for something bigger than themselves, in a fight against the Sith or the Empire.
6. The movies were spread out over several decades, garnering large audiences from all generations. I was honestly filled with strong emotions while watching the newest film because I had missed the series so much. Star Wars weaves an intricate universe filled with dozens of stories and characters that draws us in and becomes a part of our lives, whether we watched them as a child or as an adult. And they will continue to influence us for years to come.
These elements are some of the many reasons that Star Wars has transcended a sci-fi fan audience to expand to entire generations. The film series is quite frankly a cultural phenomenon.
