Star Wars

"Star Wars" is a nickname for Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, a laser-based anti-[ballistic missile]? scheme. Though perhaps intended by opponents as a demeaning term, it is used by supporters as well.

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Star Wars is also a Mythology conceived by George Lucas that tells of the struggle between good and evil, told among an epic story about the fight between the Rebels and the Empire to dominate the Galaxy. The story is set 'A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away' (i.e., once upon a time). The story has been presented in a series of American films, which spawned dozens of books. The Star Wars mythos is also the basis of countless toys and games. Though the films and books are set in outer space and employ common science-fiction motifs, the plots are humanistic in nature. Star Wars is an outstanding example of the so-called space opera sub-genre of science fiction.

It has been noted that it is almost impossible in the United States to go for a full day without hearing some reference to Star Wars. This is a testament to the extraordinary popularity that the Star Wars films have enjoyed. The strong human appeal of the Star Wars story probably accounts for its enduring popularity.

The Star Wars films show considerable similarity to Asian Wu Xia "Kung Fu" films. Lucas has stated that his intention was to create in Star Wars a modern mythology, based on the studies of his friend Joseph Campbell. Lucas has also stated that Akira Kurosawa's 1958 film The Hidden Fortress (USA release 1962) was a strong influence. The resemblance between the two buffoon farmers in The Hidden Fortress and the two talkative droids in Star Wars is striking.

A notable feature of the Star Wars films is that they portray a world full of grime and hokey technology, not the sleek, futuristic world typical of earlier science fiction film. In one of his many interviews on the making of Star Wars, Lucas told of rubbing the new props with dirt to make the look weatherworn. It is tempting to speculate that this break from traditional science fiction film influenced the cyberpunk genre that emerged around 1984.

• Star Wars movies:

1. [The Phantom Menace]?---movie released 1999.
2. [Attack of the Clones]?---scheduled release 2002
3. [Episode 3]?---scheduled release 2005
4. [A New Hope]?---movie title was Star Wars; the first movie to be released, in 1977
5. [The Empire Strikes Back]?---movied released 1980
6. [Return of the Jedi]?---movie released 1983

• Star Wars characters:

 4-LOM?
 [Adi Gallia]?
 [Admiral Ackbar]?
 [Admiral Daala]?
 [Admiral Piett]?
 [Anakin Skywalker]?
 [Aurra Sing]?
 Barada?
 [Bib Fortuna]?
 [Biggs Darklighter]?
 Boba Fett
 [Boss Nass]?
 Bossk?
 C-3PO?
 Callista?
 [Captain Panaka]?
 Chewbacca?
 [Crix Madine]?
 [Darth Maul]?
 [Darth Sidious]?
 [Darth Vader]?
 Dengar?
 Droids?
 [General Veers]?
 [Grand Admiral Thrawn]?
 [Grand Moff Tarkin]?
 Greedo?
 [Han Solo]?
 IG-88?
 [Jabba the Hutt]?
 Jar Jar Binks
 [Jek Porkins]?
 Lando Calrissian
 Lobot?
 [Luke Skywalker]?
 [Mace Windu]?
 [Mara Jade]?
 [Mon Mothma]?
 [Nute Gunray]?
 [Obi-Wan Kenobi]?
 Oola?
 Palpatine?
 [Plo Koon]?
 Princess Leia
 Queen Amidala
 [Qui-Gon Jinn]?
 R2-D2?
 [Salacious Crumb]?
 Sebulba?
 Shmi Skywalker
 Stormtroopers?
 Watto?
 Wedge Antilles
 [Wicket W. Warrick]?
 Yoda?
 Zuckuss?

• Planets and moons:

 Alderaan?
 Bespin?
 Coruscant?
 Dagobah?
 Death star...wait...that's no moon...
 Endor
 Hoth?
 Naboo?
 Tatooine?
 [Yavin 4]?

• Spaceships:

 X-wing
 Y-wing
 A-wing
 B-wing
 TIE Fighter
 TIE Interceptor
 TIE Bomber
 TIE Advanced
 [Corellian Corvette]?
 [Nebulon-B Frigate]?
 [Mon Calamari Cruiser]?
 Star Destroyer
 Super Star Destroyer