The Space Cowboys of Star Wars

The background of how George Lucas putunderneath the entire show even though it isn't
together that original vision for Star Wars is onedominant in the show.
of the most fascinating parts of the great· The "maiden in distress" who also happens
background story of these movies and itto be a spunky cowgirl herself.
accounts so why Star Wars was so innovative· The wise old sheriff, in this case Ben Kenobi
and unique. It was the unique and fresh approachhas sage advice for the impetuous young bucks
to science fiction movies that made Star Warsbut in the end puts himself into the battle for
such a huge hit and turned millions like you and Igood versus evil.
into lifelong Star Wars Fans.· The climatic ending of "let's blow this thing"
Lucas brought in elements from opera, literature,is a classic cowboy "salvation from out of the
religious writings and many movie making genresblue" drama.
that had nothing to do with a space adventure to· The bad guy returns to his own heart of
give Star Wars its unusual feel. One genre thatgold inspired by the true good he sees in the
gives Star Wars a tremendous sense of fun wasgood cowboy.
the classic western movie. The feel of Star WarsStar Wars is in every way an American film
being a great space cowboy adventure is strongmuch as the really great cowboy movies
in the first three films. Some of the elements ofdemonstrate that American spirit of adventure,
a really good cowboy movie that stand out inirrepressible spirit, the desire to colonize and the
Star Wars include...ability to have fun no matter what. And like the
· The camaraderie of Luke, Leia and Han hasgreat westerns of decades ago, the cowboy
that same "exiles around a camp fire" feel of themovies are beloved by Americans because they
great westerns.watch Star Wars and it touches part of their own
· Heroes and villains are carefully well defined.spirit and makes them proud of their American
Luke is completely good whereas Darth Vader isheritage.
completely evil.The success of Star Wars around the world is
· The "renegade cowboy" has that allonly further testimony that a movie that pays
American appeal of being a rebel with a heart ofhomage to such a great and endearing movie
gold.genre will be loved by all movie going audiences.
· Great costumes, lots of "ride em cowboy"That rough and tumble, nobody gets us down, all
action.American boy and girl spirit that is so proudly on
· The love interest is innocent and whimsicaldisplay in Star Wars is beloved around the world.
but always second to the adventure.And just as people loved John Wayne and
· The central bad guy is so evil that he isRandolph Scott, the Star Wars characters just
even despised by his own men. But he reports tobecame a modern version of a great movie
an unseen bad guy who is even worse than that.making idea - the classic western.
· The feel of the conquest of a frontier is