Why We Love Star Wars by Ken Napzok

Author:Ken Napzok [Napzok, Ken]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781642500011
Publisher: Mango Media
Published: 2019-05-09T11:47:41+00:00

51

Lightsabers

Weapon of the Jedi, toy of the people

The Star Wars franchise

Writer: Various

In 2002, fifteen-year-old Canadian high school student Ghyslain Raza made a videotape of himself using a golf club retriever as a double-bladed lightsaber in an effort to mimic the moves of Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace. The bespectacled kid dances, spins, and leaps around a corner of his high school’s studio. He is all in, fully committing to the moment, which includes him replicating the familiar sound effects of a lightsaber. The videotape was left behind, and a fellow student would later find and upload it to the Internet on April 14, 2003, unbeknownst to Ghyslain. It became a viral video sensation before we even really grasped what that meant or what torment that could bring. Star Wars Kid was born. But with that title, infamy, and, later, thirty-four million plus views on YouTube alone, Ghyslain Raza was subject to massive amounts of bullying, ridicule, and shame. All for being a passionate Star Wars fan with a love of lightsabers.

There but for the grace of God go I.

As you watch Ghyslain Raza now, spinning and flying around a room locked in a lightsaber battle that only he can see and feel, you slowly start to realize what you’re watching. You’re not watching an awkward high school student lost in his own imagination. You’re not watching an Internet meme that ushered in countless parodies and even more online abuse. You’re watching yourself. Star Wars Kid is us.

Who here among us hasn’t grabbed a cardboard tube, a broomstick, or a flashlight and immediately made the sound of an igniting lightsaber? Who here among us hasn’t daydreamed about being locked in ferocious combat against the dastardly Sith or self-righteous Jedi? (I mean, it’s all about perspective, right?) Who here among us has not purchased a lightsaber toy? Better yet…who here among us can resist seeing a lightsaber toy near you and NOT grab hold of it and transport yourself into the Emperor’s throne room or fiery shores of Mustafar? You can’t. I can’t. Ghyslain Raza couldn’t and nor should he have. The lightsaber itself is, without a doubt, one of the reasons we love Star Wars.

It doesn’t take much to understand the appeal of the lightsaber. It’s simple and direct. George Lucas was inspired by the science fiction of Flash Gordon serials and the swashbuckling adventures of his youth. He wanted swords in his story. Creating laser swords was a natural progression. The concept of what we eventually know as lightsabers certainly changed from the early designs, including the famous Ralph McQuarrie concept art pieces, but the core was always there. Korean animator Nelson Shin is often credited as the person to use a rotoscope to create the shimmering colored blades.

There are several ways for fans to first be introduced to the lightsaber. For many, it is the subdued action of A New Hope where Luke’s minimalist training and the stand and slash fight between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. For others, it’s the dazzling display of acrobatics and art in The Phantom Menace.

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