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Originally, it was about the Vietnam war
Now, it’s about making a fuckton of moneySelling toys.
“All the money is in the action figures” -GL
it’s about exploring a universe where aliens and humans live in a stagnated galaxy-spanning fantasy realm; politically and sociologically it’s quite like a medieval realm mired in war and corruption. Technologically it is no star trek - they choose the least efficient methods of travel, implying that things like teleportation are not available to them, and in the wider EU the technological stagnation seems to be a significant part of the story.
But remember that Star Wars was spawned from one movie, now known as “A New Hope” - a New Hope is an analogy for how rebellion rises up against any “evil empire,” even one with a planet-zapping superweapon. Released during the Vietnam war and several decades after world war 2, the Empire can stand in for America itself, Nazi Germany, the USSR or The British Empire. The imagery and symbolism is heavy on (2) of that list, while the choice in actors and the focus on an “imperial navy” makes it a bit like 4, but I’m told the real subject of George’s Ire was the USA.
Because it is called Star Wars, we have ended up with 3 trilogies which at least attempt to be about war. The fan literature and expanded universe also tends to focus on the conflict that the galaxy faces. It does not seem to be a stable place to live in; in Disney’s current canon, there have been 3 galaxy wide conflicts in close succession, with only intervals of 19 and 30 years between them. So I would say it is a story about eternal war, conflict or struggle.
But it doesn’t have to be. Even though Andor was very focused on the conflict between Rebels and the Empire, i felt that it did the best job of demonstrating what else Star Wars can be, how different it can be. To plenty of Expanded Universe Writers, star wars is anything they want - as long as it is exploring that same universe, a fascinating place where a type of magic (the force) permeates a high-tech science-fantasy world (the wider Galactic community).
I mention Andor because I suspect OP asked “what even is star wars” after watching Andor and suddenly feeling that it wasn’t the “weird nerd series” that they once thought it was, but actually a thrilling and intense drama which just wouldn’t have worked in any other setting. That show has bridged a gap in understanding/appeal to a wider audience.
Disney in all its cringe-ness decided that star wars was all about “rebellion” (probably because of the propoganda info-tainment quality of it), and that led to them fucking up the sequel trilogy beyond repair, because they insisted the good guys should be a beaten down group of nobodies. Even when that doesn’t make sense within the lore.
wider EU
Intergalactic European Union?
/j
It’s about family.
No, thats Fast and the Furious. It’s about an ogre who has to save the princess
No, that’s Shrek. It’s about a brother and sister having to save their parents, who they’ve just learned are ex-spies.
No, that’s Spy Kids. It’s about a teen that hangs out with a crazy scientists that have wacky time traveling adventures.
No, that’s Back to the Future. It’s about a gang of young boys on BMX bikes that have to find hidden treasure to save the community.
Vin Diesel crashes through the green screen
FAMILY
Planetary peace, ironically.
Is that why it’s called star wars, since planets aren’t stars? Thus war has been relocated for the safety of the populace?
🤔
What is war, but the quest for peace (on my terms)?
I think the Quest for Peace is when Superman throws all the nukes in to the Sun?
The Vietnam War
I don’t think Star Wars is about a girl who fucking knows
Oh? Princess Leia would like a word… now.
Girl who knows what though?
That she’s a girl!
Post title sounds like the tagline for the next Spaceballs.
It’s about drive.
It’s about hunger.
We stay hungry.
We eat chicken nuggets.
