I suppose I spent the 30th anniversary of 'Star Wars' in an appropriate manner: I lined up for a movie. It was one of that movie's 'descendants', the latest 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie. Short review: its a bit long but I only really noticed the length once and then things picked up so I forgot all about it being long. It's a lot of fun.
I've expressed my general disinterest in 'Star Wars' previously but must touch on it again. It's the deification of the original trilogy as some masterpiece that eludes me. 'Star Wars' was nostaglia when it was released in 1977, just like Lucas' first big film, 'American Graffiti'. It is the Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers newspaper strips come to life in ways that special effects couldn't replicate in the 1930's and 1940's. It is good old fashioned space opera, a throwback after films like '2001: a Space Odyssey'. In and of itself, none of these are bad things. I just don't understand why Lucas should be a genius because he got enough of a budget to spend some on effects.
Anyway, one of the things 'Star Wars' locked in was the big event popcorn movie. The historical epics of old were cast aside for good natured action movies that hoped you wouldn't think about them too hard. 'Jaws' started the concept and 'Star Wars' made it a trend. It is in from that mold that the 'Pirates' movies come from with big action, awesome heroes and villains and complicated plots that sometimes manage to hold together despite themselves. The third 'Pirates' movie is full of jockeying for position and each character has a plan that they're trying to make work, even if it means temporarily betraying a friend. It is quite fascinating to watch.
I may not be the first person to make this next declaration but I'll say it anyway: The 'Pirates of the Caribbean' trilogy is what the 'Star Wars' prequels wanted to be. They are densely plotted, action packed films with a central romantic story at it's heart. It's not hard to start imagining the pirate ships in space rather than water. The variation is that the effects are better in the 'Pirates' movie and there is chemistry between the romantic leads in the 'Pirates' movies. The 'Pirates' trilogy is also has the generation spanning popularity that 'Star Wars' once had as well as being immune from criticism insomuch that bad reviews will not halt people from seeing the movies.
To be fair, there are also no expectations for the 'Pirates' trilogy. It came from nowhere to be as popular as it is. The 'Star Wars' prequels had heavy expectations based on the fact that we knew where the films had to go from the evidence in the original trilogy and when they failed to meet the expectations of years of fan dissection of the original movies, the backlash became impressive.
All I know is this: during all of these movies, I always have a moment when I daydream about a big screen 'Doctor Who' movie. Perhaps I could be a space pirate in that. Oh, wait, the show already did that in 1969. Nevermind.
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1 comment:
excellent read as always my friend. I agree very much about pirate movies. These movies are what all the fanboys had hoped the prequels would be. Johnny Depp and crew have written themselves into Pirate movie lore and the Pirates trilogy belongs on a shelf next to the Indy Movies, Back to the Future movies, and the Original Untouched Trilogy. Now lets talk Dr. Who movie script. :D
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