Star Wars' Hidden Awesome Messages: What Makes Star Wars Great

By Mitch Uppman

Star Wars has influenced filmmakers for a long time to raise the standard when making a movie.  George Lucas was granted 13 million dollars to achieve his dream.  Not only did A New Hope surpass Jaws at the box office, it became the highest grossing film for six years before E.T was released.  Why do audiences love these films so much? The light sabers? The force? Well, yes of course, these things are a huge factor, but the theory has to do with a whole lot more as well.

It doesn't matter who you are, you can achieve your goals.

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Let us first chat about the actors.  The Star Wars series has a knack for casting no name actors in their blockbuster films.  Fans love this because it makes the character they are playing even more special to each individual.  For example, Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Daisy Ridley's (Rey) first big film appearances were in the Star Wars films.  Actors such as Harrison Ford (Han Solo), John Boyega (Finn), James Earl Jones (Darth Vader), and Carrie Fischer (Leia Skywalker) were not truly recognized for their film history until Star Wars.  This series has helped boost the esteem levels of so many people around the world.  If these no name actors can be in a huge blockbuster film, then why can't I achieve my dream? George Lucas has influenced other filmmakers to help young actors fulfill their dreams and passed the torch down to J.J Abrams in The Force Awakens.  

Actors are a biggie, but the character they are playing means so much more.  As these actors begin their careers, their character portrayals begin to prove who they are.  The real message behind these characters is quite simple: No matter where you come from, you can achieve success.  Luke Skywalker was a humble Tatooine that grew up to be the greatest Jedi the world has ever known.  Rey is a poor scavenger that aids in the take down of the First Order.  Finn was a storm trooper that eventually switches sides in order to also aid in the take down of the First Order.  These characters have all come from nothing, and became something huge.  Star Wars has implanted the thought in audiences' minds: achieve your dream...  No matter the obstacles.

You always have a second chance

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The Force has been split into two sections in the films.  The Light and the Dark Side.  Darth Vader has been named one of the greatest movie villains of all time; he is a master of the Dark Side and has murdered millions.  When the reveal of Luke's father came into play, fans noticed that Darth Vader still had the Light in him.  Darth Vader killed the emperor and died knowing he did some good.  These messages have been conveyed all throughout the series, but what does it really mean? We learn that the Dark Side is a lot stronger than the Light and it has been a huge nuisance for our heroes.  The Dark Side can be shown as an individual's will to do terrible things.  The Dark Side is alive in the real world and is very tempting to follow, much like the Dark Side from the Star Wars movies.  These films show audiences to stay with the light and never lose hope.  If you stay with the light, you can be a monumental human being in the long run.  

Recipe for a great Star Wars film

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-Little or no acting experience is necessary: It doesn't have to be a star-studded cast as long as the selected actors have a strong desire to prove "what they are made of."

-Hidden real world messages: Include valuable lessons from Star Wars that apply to the real world. 

-The Force (Light and Dark Side) - Have two contrasting—polarizing—elements that can make viewers relate to real life. 

-Aliens - Because life as peaceful earthlings is not as exciting as aliens in intergalactic warfare.

-Lasers - If it's set in space, lasers are a must.  Light based weapons will function much better (and look cooler) than projectile based weapons.

-Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker are thrown in somewhere - They are integral pieces and the most powerful icons in the movies.  They have to be involved.

-TIE Fighters - Cool space vehicles make for (literally) otherworldly chase scenes in the movies and Disney rides in the real world. 

-Crazy cool costumes - Without Star Wars amazing wardrobe, half the characters would not be as grand as they are. Costumes from the movie are just as important to fans as the plot.  Just check out some Darth Vader suits and try to imagine Star Wars without them.

This list really could go on forever.  Star Wars has changed film forever and has brought to fans characters to love.  Audiences can learn a great deal from Star Wars, did you?

"Train yourself to let go of the things you fear to lose." - George Lucas.