Ralph McQuarrie (Star Wars Concept Artist) Dies at 82

Ralph McQuarrie the conceptual artist behind Star Wars has died at the age of 82. McQuarrie was the first person George Lucas brought on board to help him paint his Star Wars vision. And paint he did, as he painted the conceptual art for some of the most iconic characters ever to grace the silver screen.

Darth Vader, R2D2, C3PO and Chewbacca started in Lucas' mind, but were shaped by the brush of Ralph McQuarrie. He won an Oscar in 1985 for his concept work on Cocoon. He also did artwork for "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Back to the Future," "Total Recall,"  "Raiders of the Lost Ark,"and "Battle Star Galactica" (the original).

Ralph McQuarrie may have passed from this life, but his work lives on in the minds and imaginations of generations of Sci-Fi and adventure fans.

Life is short and time is fleeting. What are you doing that will outlive you?

Truths From a Galaxy Far Far Away

As I watched The Empire Strikes Back with my children (Luke and Leia) tonight, I was reminded of some classic truths that are core to my faith.

1. There is a darkness inside all of us that wants to take over. The Bible calls this darkness sin and Romans 3:23 tells us that we all have it.

2. Fear is a path to the Dark Side (or sin). Fear and worry are not from God. Jesus told us not to worry about the future and Yoda said that this was a major problem in Luke's life as well. God has not given us a spirit of fear. It is definetly from our sin nature (Dark Side).

3. Unbelief leads to failure. Luke tells Yoda that what he wants is impossible and that he does not believe he can lift his X-Wing from the swamp. Yoda tells him that is why he fails. In Philippians Paul tells us that we can do ALL things the Christ who strengthens us.

I am sure there are many other truths such as Tauntauns make great Hot Pockets, if a cave shakes when shot it may not be an actual cave, and if you are looking for someone you have never met he may in fact be the little green puppet rumaging through your things.

What truths have you noticed in Empire or the other Star Wars films?

What Announcement will George Lucas Make Tomorrow?

        Tomorrow is May 4th. What is so special about the 4th of May. To Star Wars fans it is virtually a holiday. Star Wars actually came out on May 25, 1979, but a German TV station mistranslated a line from George Lucas to "we are with you on may fourth." It is unofficially Star Wars Day. Now fans everywhere will be heard saying, "May the fourth be with you" all around the globe tomorrow.
        Tomorrow at 9AM eastern time "All will be revealed" according to the Star Wars website. There is even a countdown. What could the big announcement be? This Star Wars fan is hoping for episode 7. Farfetched you say? Not really.
        It could be done with the technology used on Jeff Bridges in Tron Legacy. They digitized his face, took the wrinkles out, and superimposed it onto a 35 year old actor. This not only means that we should not have to endure another geriatric Indiana Jones movie, but we could see a Star Wars film that takes place shortly after Return of the Jedi.
        Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher are still alive to do the voices and all we need is their digitized face. This could be why all of the films are coming out in 3D starting next year. We could be a short 6 years from episode 7.
        The announcement will probably be Blu-ray related although I certainly hope not. I have thought about the possibilities episodes 7, 8, and 9 since I was a kid. As the years dragged on the prospect became less and less real. With modern technology however, we could see the age shed off of all of the actors.
        As I grow older my mortality is ever before me. No amount of digitization could truly add time to my life. This verse brings me comfort--Romans 6:23 The payment for sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. I will never truly die because of the price Jesus paid. Sure my body will wear out here like an aging Star Wars character, but there is a pre-planned heavenly sequel waiting for me on the other side.
      
If you enjoyed this post you may also like:
The Phantom Menace Passes Star Wars!
7 Problems with the Prequel Trilogy
Truths From a Galaxy Far Far Away
Star Wars 3D: its Official 
Star Wars in Concert--Original or Rip-off 
A Former Prequel Basher Speaks Out
Will the Earth Really Have Two Suns . . .?

Star Wars in 3D, its Finally Official!

Lucasfilm announced yesterday that they would be re-releasing all six Star Wars films in 3D. The proposed date will be in 2012 and all signs point to February. This has long been rumored and discussed among fans, but now it is finally going to happen. I have never been a fan of 3D movies. Avatar's affects were good, but then there was the Clash of the Titan's and Alice in Wonderland debacles.

I would be excited if Star Wars reentered the Theater in 2D or even with no picture as a digitally converted version of the radio dramas. Industrial Light and Magic is overseeing the project and has said they will take their time to do the job right.

It turns out that 2012 will not be the end of the world, but rather a dawning of an era where there are 3D films that actually have a great original story (sorry Dances with Wolves, ahem, I mean Avatar). I can't wait to see: the Death Star trench run, pod-races, lightsaber duels, asteroid fields, light-speed, the Rancor, and the Millennium Falcon in 3D.

If you have never seen any of the films, this would be a great time to give them a chance. Star Wars never had the chance to be released with the modern ticket prices and inflated 3D prices that propelled Avatar, The Dark Knight, and The Titanic past the greatest film of all time. I say it is time to reclaim the top spot. I myself will see it at least three times.

Now we can start crossing our fingers for 3D releases of Braveheart, The Matrix, and Fifth Element. I would much rather see great movies come back to the theater (3D or not), than new movies that are weak in story and rely on 3D alone for special effects.

A Former Prequel Basher Speaks Out!

I am unashamedly a Star Wars fan. Usually the only difference between others my age and myself is that I like all of the Star Wars saga. I will admit that when Episode 1 was released I was quick to be a prequel basher (not knowing how it would all tie up in the end). However, now 11 years, 3 movies, and two "official"(the Samari Jack version is not canon) Clone Wars seasons later I have become quite the fan. Now, as a recovering prequel hater, I have a few corrections to add to the logic of prequel bashing. Note: If you are one of my regular readers, but not a Star Wars fan then this blog will read like gibberish. You may stop reading now if that is you.

Well let's get started with Qui Gon's training of Obi-Wan. Yoda did instruct (not train) Obi Wan as he did all younglings. Qui Gon had to be there to learn the path to immortality because Darth Vader did not seem to know what Obi Wan meant by "Strike me down and I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine".

There are those who would keep Yoda on the sidelines as an Orko like character. How can Yoda train Jedi in all areas when those areas include swordsmanship if he is not capable of fighting himself? He is feeble in the prequels (walks with a cane) but when he relies on the force he can do greater things.

Midi-Chlorians are necessary to answer the question of why the force is strong in Luke's family. He told Leia that his Father, he, even she had it. She heard his cry in Bespin and answered when even Obi Wan did not. Somehow it is hereditary, but only the use of it not the force itself.

Contrary to popular belief, the expanded universe books are not canon. The clone army does not have to be evil cloned Jedi army. Lucas cannot be expected to bend his story around more than a hundred books. The Clone army as a secret army is a great plot because Sidious is behind the separatists who hate Palpatine (they don't know its him) and he is behind the clones as a means to start a war that weakens the Jedi to the point where he can destroy them and declare martial law.

The plot is so much deeper than the original plot where Ewoks defeat the Empire with rocks or that a concentrated laser blast can destroy a planet in a few seconds. I almost forgot to mention that Han gets frozen with his arms tied to his sides but once frozen his hands are up. You've also got the remark by Obi Wan about the Jawas deaths by saying "Only Imperial stormtroopers are so precise..." when they clearly have terrible aim in all 3 movies.

Can we also answer how Luke's torpedos do a 90 degree turn to blow up the death star? Why were the controls for the Rancor's metal door inside the enclosure? When did Luke learn to use his light saber? What about how many times the Millennium Falcon rolls over in space with the unseatbelted passengers standing behind Han and Chewie without a scratch.

Prequel bashers say the dialogue of the battle droids is silly but what of C3POs comic relief or chewbacca's 3 different sounds being understood by Han as a complete language. The fact that a droid army almost took over helps to explains why C3PO and R2D2 were not admitted into the cantina and were referred to as "their kind".

Bashers also love to hate Jar Jar Binks. Jar Jar and Qui Gon's interaction is the prequel's version of Han and C3PO's relationship. They are the only ones in the movie annoyed by these characters and everyone else is sympathetic.

Let's not forget the fact that Leia's home planet is destroyed and ten minutes later and for the rest of the trilogy she is fine and content not to mention it. At least Anakin is torn up about his mother's death.

The true and only missing link between the trilogies is why Leia says that she remembers her mother as beautiful. Unless this plays into something the Force allowed. Since it goes unanswered we will have to assume that it is indeed a gap in continuity.

The bottom line is that we like the magic of what we have grown up with. Kids today prefer the prequels and accuse the original trilogy of being to slow. There are some who are brainwashed by older fans into liking the originals better. My children however do not fall into that category even though I do.

The Movie that Spawned a Sub-Culture

This Friday is the 30th Anniversary of the greatest Star Wars movie of all time.  The Empire Strikes Back has been a fan favorite since it first opened in theaters in 1980.  I was only 7 months old at the time.  Its really crazy when I think about it.  How can someone become a fan of a movie that came out when they were that age and remain so into their thirties?

In 1984 my brother and I recieved Star Wars figures for Christmas.  He had a Gomorrean Guard and I had Lando Calrissian.  I was five at the time.  When I was seven we had The Empire Strikes Back curtains in our room.  I can still see them.  The images invoked adventure, and I loved to look at the different characters.  I became obsessed with Star Wars in the 1990s, when Lucas released the trilogy box set as well as new figures.  I soon had a room that was full of unopened figures.

I spent the night outside the theater for episode 1 and was so disappointed that I  sold almost all of my Star Wars items.  I did manage keep all of the vintage figures.  Episode 2 and 3 were great and somewhere between them and the Clone Wars cartoons, I actually began to like Episode 1.  A great deal of that is probably because of my children (Luke and Leia).

It all really began and hinged on The Empire Strikes Back.  If it had not been for Empire succeeding as a sequel, Star Wars would have only been a great special effects advancement.  It would not have the following or pop culture mainstay that it currently enjoys.  Empire gave us three new worlds, the realization of Vader as Luke's father, and no clear resolution with the freezing of Han Solo.  It also gave us the characters of Yoda, Boba Fett, and Lando Calrissian.  It was as near to perfect as a movie can get.  Empire had it all, action, drama, romance, and comedy.

My family will be going to Celebration V this summer for the 30th anniversary convention.  I cannot wait.  Star Wars fans form a close knit tribe.  I can meet a fan for the first time and we instantly have a common bond.  Sometimes I wish Christians were more like Star Wars fans.  I should be able to go into any church or meet any believer and feel totally welcome and linked in a spiritual way.  This is not always the case.  It is truly sad because what unites followers of Christ is real and powerful.  We could learn a lot from the fictional world of George Lucas and the community it has created.

Star Wars Bethlehem A New Hope

My four year old son and I wanted to make a video.  It was a toss up between a Christmas or a Star Wars movie.  Since the decision was difficult we merged the two.  He was the genius behind all of the set design and most of the creative elements. It is probably not the most professional thing that you have ever seen, but if you like it, we would love it if you shared it with others.

Star Wars in Concert--Original or Rip Off?

Pictured Above:  My wife Debbie

I am a huge Star Wars fan.  I mean HUGE!!!  I have a corner of my bedroom dedicated to vintage Star Wars memorabilia (yes, I'm married), my children are named Luke and Leia, and we have occasional light saber battles as a family (lights out and all).  When my youth workers decided to send me to Star Wars in Concert, I was thrilled.  It was one of the coolest experiences I have ever had.  There was a three story LCD screen playing images specifically chosen for this event, to a live orchestra complete with synchronized lazar lights and pyrotechnics.  It even had live narration by Anthony Daniels (C3PO).  The only problem I found, was that they did not sell a video of the event.

Today, I was given the soundtrack to Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith, and it was still sealed.  This CD came with a bonus DVD entitled Star Wars: A Musical Journey.  Every clip from the concert is on it with the same order, music, titles, and even narration between clips.  The only difference is in the narrator.  Instead of Anthony Daniels, they have Ian McDiarmed (Emperor Palpatine).  Even so, he is saying the same thing word for word.

This DVD is from 2005, and the "totally original" concert tour is going on now.  Wow!  Am I mad?  No.  I enjoyed the show and am glad that I have the video now.  Do I think that it is funny that fans are paying top dollar (my tickets were $55 each) to see something that came out 4 years ago?  Yes, I do.  Here is a quote from www.StarWars.com  "Creating the music for the Star Wars films has been an exciting and wonderful experience for me, and I therefore have derived particular pleasure in assembling a compendium of themes from all of the films to be presented in Star Wars: In Concert," said Williams. "The editors at Lucasfilm have created original film montages to accompany each of the musical selections, and in the process, I believe that a singular and unique Star Wars experience has been born."  I find all of this disturbing and yet funny.  I thought I would pass this on.