So I watched the re-make of Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace in 3D. Being a Star Wars nerd, I'd seen the movie before but I saw it from a different perspective this time around. It's a great coincidence that we discussed Jesus in film the week that this re-make came out.
We talked about Jesus on film and how Jesus movies were all of the "epic" genre, produced on a grand scale with special considerations to special effects and not so much on character development. Star Wars has deep roots in all of these traits. Obviously Star Wars movies are considered "epic". They are fantasy based, and there's star ship and Jedi battles in each of the movies. In regards to being produced on a grand scale with special effects, there are 6 Star Wars movies. Star Wars: A New Hope came out in 1977 and was innovative in special effects. The creator of Star Wars, George Lucas used special effects that no one had really considered during that time period. Then when the prequels came out in 2002 (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace) Lucas turned to technology using animations in his new films. Safe to say that he was one of the pioneers in using cinematics like these. Though they don't look the best now, but these cinematics were remarkable for the time - so special considerations to special effects are definitely evident. Finally, Star Wars is based on character development. The old movies are based on Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, while the newer movies are based on Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader).
Now that we've established the connection to movies with Jesus it's time to get to the nitty-gritty. Christ Figures in Film. The Kozlovic reading stated that there are 25 characteristics of Christ Figures. Anakin Skywalker (the future Darth Vader) is seen as a young boy in Episode 1. Just in this movie a number of these traits are evident.
1. Tangible - Anakin has no father - he was conceived by the force itself. Remind you of someone?
2. Central - He is one of the main characters in the Phantom Menace and goes on to be the main character through the second and third films.
3. Outsider - Anakin lives on a planet full of thieves and cut throats. He and his mother are the only two people on the planet that are willing to help strangers.
4. Divinely Sourced and Tasked - When Anakin is found by the other Jedi, they realize he is very strong in the force, and these Jedi reference multiple times that "the force has lead them to him".
5. Alter Egos - Anakin Skywalker is the one who is supposed to bring balance to the force and while his is Anakin he works for good. However, by the end of the third movie he becomes Darth Vader - the Sith Lord that is feared throughout the galaxy.
6. Special Normal - Anakin is the only human ever who has been able to pod race. He looks like a normal human child but is able to do extraordinary things.
7. Twelve Associates - There are 10 people on the Jedi council + the two Jedi who found him.
8. Jesus Age - Unfortunately he's only a child in the first movie.
9. Betrayer Associate - Anakin's owner does not bet on him during his podrace. He bets on the alien that always beats him.
10. Sexually Identified Woman - Definitely evident in episode 1 through Padme. She travels with the Jedi and you can tell they have a connection from the first time they meet (they will be married and have children in the third movie)
11. Pointing Prophet - Evident in the character of Qui Gon Jinn, who knows that Anakin is "the one who will bring balance to the force"
12. Decisive Death and Resurrection - Kind of evident when he becomes Darth Vader
13. Triumphalism - Not really evident in the first movie, but definitely throughout the series.
14. Service to "Lesser" - Anakin races for the Jedi who find him with no real benefit for himself. He helps them just to benefit the two men.
15. Willing Sacrifice - Evident in the later movies
16. Innocent - Anakin is a slave who has done nothing wrong in life other than be born. It is evident that he wants to help others. Plus portraying him as a child is a display of innocence in itself.
17. Cruciform Pose -
18. Cross Associations
19. Miracles and Signs - Use of the force to do all sorts of things like move things, spread water, etc.
20. Simplicity -
21. Poverty - This is definitely evident as Anakin is a slave and he and his mother do not have much.
22. Jesus Garb - Jedi's do wear robes. It's interesting how Star Wars is supposed to take place in the future, yet they all dress like from the Roman Era.
23. Blue Eyes - Refer to picture above ^.
24. Holy Exclamations
25. J.C. Initials
As you can see the character of Anakin Skywalker displays the majority of traits of a Christ Figure. One of the most popular series of all time evidences a Christ Figure as the main character. If that is not Christianity in Popular Culture, I do not know what is. I have seen Star Wars Episode 1 multiple times and would never have made that connection if it were not for this course. It's amazing how these little connections to Christianity surround us but we never seem to make the connection unless we blatantly look for them.
And that's my rant for this week. It's so cool I can write about Star Wars in a University Class. Until next time, "May the Force be with you".
No comments:
Post a Comment