In Defense of Mr. Lucas

Described as a loving tribute to the YouTube generation, the new film The People vs George Lucas seeks to explore the love-hate relationship that Star Wars fans have with the Creator. I think on the seventh day God created George so I don't see the point of so-called 'Lucas Bashing.'

Jar Jar Binks and the whole Phantom Menace project, while commercially successful, has earned the derision of many fans and critics alike. I'm not a big fan of film critics (they loved A Single Man but that was quite the bore!) and fans are downright silly for bashing George when they pined for years and years for a new installment in the franchise. George is the man responsible for the creation the fans 'defend' when there's no need for a defense! Without George there would be no Star Wars, and just as if Madonna never lived, and Jesus never died, the world would be very, very, different. Though some films may echo the excitement, the wonder, the magic, of the Phantom Menace hype and release, nothing will ever trump it. 1999 was my favorite year; I have so much nostalgia for it all that it's actually really sad that more than a decade separates me from then. Jar Jar is adorable. Gollum was a far more egregious character in terms of annoyance than Jar Jar ever was. Jar Jar wasn't made for adult fans, George had the children in mind, and in light of that, he was successful at earning laughs from the kids.

Lucas has a right to tinker with his creations. After all, he made them. No one questions Michael Jackson for adding Fergie to Beat It on Thriller 25 ("he's an artist, he can do that"). George is an artist of the highest calibre! Sure, his ideas are silly sometimes (re: the fridge scene in Indiana 4) but that's why they're so darn endearing. I compare him to Madonna, in that her lyrics, because they're so unpoetical, they actually are poetic. George, like his friend Stephen, and peer Jim, is fascinated by technology. If he wants to add scenes, and replace outdated effects with CGI, by all means, do so. I embrace the changes. Film evolves. I loved the addition of Jabba the Hutt in A New Hope, and when he updated the Jabba CGI in 2004, it was even better. The ending of Return of the Jedi was great, it showed the galactic scope of the struggle. Sure, the "Han Shot First" crap makes Han less of a rogue, but George is family friendly. I will agree, replacing Sebastian Shaw with Hayden Christiansen was a crime, but only because it didn't make sense and I feel sorry that Shaw's portrayal was removed.

George is a marketing genius. Why people fault him for his huge campaigns is beyond me. The Cold War proved that socialism doesn't work, so I give George loads of credit for being as capitalist as a capitalist can be. It was thrilling with each new release to see potato chips bags, socks, toys, and Pepsi laden with Star Wars imagery. I love the commercial tackiness of it all! The Phantom Menace kid's meal toys were wonderful; I remember eating at Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC all the time to collect them all. "Fans" who criticize George for over-marketing need not forget that Star Wars, after all is said and done, is a franchise, a business. George makes money off of his ventures and I doubt he'd do something without money in mind. He has a girlfriend to woo, and technological ventures to support.

Closing verdict: George shouldn't pander to the fanboys, he's better than that.