Why is Star Wars so popular?

---

How does Star Wars stand as one of the major blockbusters for over 5 decades, with over ten movies, novels, and numerous successful TV series? I believe there are four main factors: The value that it transmits, the relish to watchers’ imagination, the amazing depth of the series, and of course, awesome marketing.

A major reason why The Star Wars is so popular is the sense of unity that it presents. Unlike most movies in the western world of its time, even now, which focuses on a few main characters and unfolds their personal stories in detail, The Star Wars presents the revolution of a galaxy, the rises and downfalls of powerful kingdoms, regalities, and republics, also the launches and curtain calls of great eras. The stories of different planets, species, and cultures are interwoven into this epic masterpiece. Moreover, instead of the usual settings of having the future stranded on a single character , Star Wars emphasizes the inevitable strength of the will of people and the force of the majority, which are impossible to be reversed by an individual.

The second key factor is its astounding imagination and special effects. There are shield protected interstellar destroyers and vessels mounted with fatal gears, gigantic traction wave projection arrays , long range high-energy cannons, and high ranked hyperdrives that could boost the ship to speed faster than light. Coruscant, the capital of the Galactic Republic and later the Galactic Empire, every inch is occupied by soaring skyscrapers, landing pads, mega strictures, and majestic domes, making the surface of the planet glisten with intersecting rings of light. In the hive like towers of the scorching desert planet Geonosis, the temporary command post of the Confederacy Of Independent Systems, refuges the wicked Geonosisians and their efficient automatic war factories assembling legions of fierce droid troops, high-performance star fighters, and various kinds of war gears that will be sent to raging frontiers all over the collapsing galaxy.

Another masterpiece of imagination in Star Wars is Naboo, a rare peaceful planet in the disorder and destruction that sweep across the weak Galactic Republic in its last years. On the mainlands of Naboo, there are flourishing cities dotted with classical green-tiled buildings, rows of greenhouses, and carefully-planned avenues. In the water, there live the Ganga people who dwell in cities of bright translucent bubbles and travel in indestructible organic-looking vessels that could endure the harsh seas where brutal monsters lurk.

Another key reason for the series to be so popular is depth. Unlike most super-hero movies and series produced by oligarchs like Marvel, Disney, and Net Flix, the Star Wars series celebrates more than just the ordinary theme of evil VS good. Instead, it discusses deeply over other elements like politics and philosophy, which are often dismissed as unattractive by other films. In the Episode I, Naboo faces lockdown by trade federation. When queen Amidala finally reaches Coruscant after numerous accidents, she has to persuade a senate deeply troubled by disunity and corruption to protect Naboo from invaders. Likewise, in Episode III, when the senate and the Jedi maters debate over whether to deploy clone troopers to defend the galaxy from the flooding Independence forces, there are a lot of meaningless discussions and waste of precious time as the draft works its way clumsily through the subdued and tremulous senate. It is much more than an ordinary setting that boosts the story. It is actually more of a reflection and contemplation of the reality. The plot demonstrates to us how slow and ineffective parliament-based governments can be sometimes when discussing over issues that should be immediately addressed. There is another important detail of the film that shows its depth: “the force”, which is “What gives a Jedi his power. It is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together”, describes one of the most respected Jedi masters, Obi Wan Kenobi. “The Force”, like the imagined galactic senate, has deep meanings. In the galaxy where the story takes place, there are no gods, the one that warns, blesses, and commands. Instead, there is “the Force”. It doesn’t have anactual isotopic carrier and is described in a quasi-pantheistic term, which somehow resonates with the essence of pluralist: the ‘monomythic approach’ to the world’s religions. These details are definitely excluded from box-office films. However, this is exactly what makes the series stands out from others that could contend with it in imagination and special effects.

The forth but not the least, marketing. Marketing is always an invisible hand that alters the destiny of the film. It is also a key factor of the success of Star Wars. Star wars is the first film to really link film-making with franchising. After it became widely popular , Lucasfilm soon contracted with multiple giants like Burger king, LEGO, and Volkswagen to use Star War elements in their products or advertisements. These out-of-the-cinema elements made the film more influential among citizens and bring the film a bonus , an industry worth over 70 billion and settling among one of the most powerful brands in the world. Another ingenious decision is the time gap between each Episode: 10 years between Episode I and Episode II; 6 years between Episode II and Episode III; 19 years between Episode III and Episode IV... This is especially unique because most film companies decide to immediately kick off the sequels after great success of the first Episode. However, the time gap allows to foster a new generation of movie fans while alluring and prompting people to watch the next Episode when it is eventually released after long itching waiting. This strategy promises the success of each Episode and maximizes the long-term profit.

In short, Star Wars is, by any accounts, a great movie series and suites everyone who is fascinated in legendary stories, politics, special effects or futuristic machines. It is such a feast to the eyes and relishment to the soul.

May The Force Be With You.