Star Wars (film series)
Overview
The Star Wars film series is a science fiction media franchise, centered on a film series created by George Lucas. It depicts the adventures of characters "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away", in which humans and many species of aliens (often humanoid) co-exist with robots, or 'droids', who may assist them in their daily routines; space travel between planets is common due to lightspeed hyperspace technology.
Creation and Conception
The Star Wars saga began with its eponymous 1977 film and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has been expanded into various films and other media, including television series, video games, novels, comic books, theme park attractions, and themed areas, comprising an all-encompassing fictional universe. The franchise holds a Guinness World Records title for the "Most successful film merchandising franchise."
Film Series
The film series is made up of three trilogies and stand-alone films. The original trilogy, released between 1977 and 1983, and the prequel trilogy, released between 1999 and 2005, follow the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker's prophesied role as the Chosen One who will bring balance to the Force. The sequel trilogy, released between 2015 and 2019, follows Anakin's descendants as they navigate the aftermath of his actions.
Original Trilogy
The original trilogy begins with Star Wars (retroactively titled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) (1977), followed by The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). The original trilogy follows the Galactic Empire's oppressive rule and the Rebel Alliance's struggle to free the galaxy from the tyranny of Emperor Palpatine.
Prequel Trilogy
The prequel trilogy includes Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002), and Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005). The prequels focus on Anakin Skywalker, his training as a Jedi, and eventual fall to the dark side as Darth Vader.
Sequel Trilogy
The sequel trilogy began with Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), followed by Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017), and concluded with Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019). The sequels follow the journey of Rey, a scavenger from the planet Jakku, who becomes a Jedi under the guidance of the last living Jedi, Luke Skywalker.
Themes and Symbolism
The Star Wars films feature elements such as knighthood, chivalry, and archetypes related to the fantasy genre. The Star Wars universe, unlike science fiction that features sleek and futuristic settings, is portrayed as dirty and grimy in Lucas's concept of a "used future". Additionally, the films are noted for their representation of politics and religion, with the galaxy's structure often compared to that of our own world.
Impact and Legacy
The Star Wars film series has had a significant impact on modern popular culture. Star Wars references are deeply integrated into popular culture; references to the main characters and themes of Star Wars are casually made in many English-speaking countries with the assumption that others will understand the reference. The soundtracks composed by John Williams are also highly popular and are often used as reference points in the study of film scores.