Star Wars FAQ
Everything Left to Know About the Trilogy That Changed the Movies
-
- $24.99
-
- $24.99
Publisher Description
From the books and movies that inspired George Lucas to imagine the Star Wars universe, to early screenplay drafts that were never filmed, to short biographies of many people who made key contributions to the movies' success, Star Wars FAQ explores every aspect of the original Star Wars trilogy (Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi). Along the way, it unearths underreported stories and illuminating minutiae often skimmed over or completely ignored in other histories of the legendary film series. Highlights include details about the Star Wars Holiday Special debacle, the Ewok TV movies, the rise of Star Wars fiction and its importance in the revival of the franchise, and the wave of Star Wars imitators and parodies that flooded theaters and TV screens in the late 1970s and early 1980s – along with dozens of rare publicity stills and photographs of vintage memorabilia.
Offering an original analysis of the series' enduring appeal and cultural impact, Star Wars FAQ tells a story as thrilling and action-packed as the movies themselves, with bold characters facing apparently insurmountable odds, full of frantic chases, narrow escapes, daring victories, and tragic setbacks, culminating in an unlikely triumph that changed the course of the galaxy – or at least of Hollywood.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Clark, author of two previous books in the FAQ series, both about Star Trek, falls short in this attempt to write a definitive resource on the original Star Wars trilogy. He takes readers from George Lucas's original influences mythology and sci-fi serials, mainly to the conception, production, and reception of the films, all the way to merchandising, parodies, and knock-offs. The intent is to create a one-stop shop for original trilogy trivia, saving fans the trouble of consulting multiple texts. Indeed, there is an incredible amount of information here. However, the book seems to have been rushed out the door too quickly in order to precede the forthcoming Star Wars movie. The prose is clunky and dotted with typos. Clark misspells character names, loses track of Star Wars lingo, and even gets some basic facts wrong one actor's listed age is off by 16 years. There are also some unnecessarily mean-spirited comments; a remark about Carrie Fisher's drug addiction is particularly flippant. That said, the book is packed to overflowing with all things Star Wars, and for some dedicated fans, that will be enough.