What Other Franchise Truly Has This Much Force?
Whether you're a hardcore fan or haven't seen a single Star Wars movie, you can still stop to appreciate what the film series achieved. With its lore transcending cultures, mediums, and generations, and penetrating pop culture to boot, Star Wars truly is the ultimate franchise. From its groundbreaking special effects to its unforgettable characters and profound philosophical themes, it's not just a beloved saga; it influenced the future of cinema, standing out as a cultural phenomenon. Here are 20 reasons why Star Wars is still the best movie franchise ever created.
1. The Iconic Characters
From Han Solo to Luke to Yoda, Star Wars is full of legendary characters full of depth and complexity who add a layer of intrigue. These quintessential characters are perfect archetypes but manage to stay realistic and relatable.
2. It Transcended Borders & Different Cultures
Star Wars isn't just an American franchise, it's a global phenomenon. It draws from ancient universal themes that all cultures are familiar with like good vs. evil, the hero's journey, destiny, and hope.
3. The Groundbreaking Special Effects
The first Star Wars was released in 1977, but watching it today, it still doesn't look dated like most other 70s sci-fi movies would. These revolutionary visuals were achieved through the use of inventive miniature work, blue screen technology, and a brand-new computer-controlled camera system that allowed for less static shots.
4. The Iconic Score
From the "Imperial March" to the "Main Title" song, the Star Wars score is chock full of iconic orchestral pieces provided by Hollywood's most famous and prolific composer, John Williams. He made the music for all nine original Star Wars films.
5. The Incredible Production Design
It doesn't get much better than Star Wars in terms of production design. The production team created a whole epic universe using basic materials like popsicle sticks.
National Park Service (NPS) on Wikimedia
6. It's Philosophically Deep
On the surface, Star Wars is just an adventure story set in space, but give it a closer look and you'll realize it actually grapples with some pretty relevant and profound themes. This includes light vs. dark, the interconnectedness of all things, and destiny vs. free will.
7. The World-Building Is Unparalleled
No other film has created such a layered and imaginative universe. The galaxy feels real and lived-in and every planet has its own distinct culture and back story. There's so much lore you can dive into and yet still so much to be written.
8. Lightsabers
Lightsabers. Nuff' said. They're easily the most iconic fictional weapons ever created with their legendary sounds and visuals, but beyond that, they're a symbol, reflecting identity and rite of passage.
9. It Seamlessly Blends Genres
Star Wars isn't just sci-fi. It's action, fantasy, Western, coming-of-age, and at times, even comedy and romance. Its ability to seamlessly blend genres is the reason why it has such a wide appeal.
Agnieszka Stankiewicz on Unsplash
10. It's Found Succes Beyond The Silver Screen
Star Wars is the only movie franchise to find such resounding success in all mediums, including books, video games, and TV. These mediums allow for endless universe expansion and ways for fans to interact with the Star Wars galaxy.
11. Its Appeal Is Multi-Generational
The first Star Wars movie was released in 1977, meaning many Boomers remember fondly having their minds blown by it in cinema. The fact that new Star Wars films and TV shows are still being made today means that young children can also connect with it, so whether you're seven or 70, it can appeal to you.
12. It Sparked A Fandom Like No Other
There's arguably no movie franchise with a more dedicated fan base than Star Wars. They're passionate, multi-generational, and deeply invested, whether they're beating everyone at cosplay or winning essay competitions with their analysis of Jedi philosophy.
13. Star Wars References Are Everywhere
Whether you're a Star Wars fan or not, it's so deeply engrained into pop culture, that chances are you've quoted it without even realizing it. References to it are in everything from The Simpsons to Toy Story 2.
14. Strong Female Characters
Star Wars was ahead of its time when it came to incorporating smart, strong, and independent female characters like Princess Leia and Padmé into its core lineup. It was especially refreshing considering the other media that was being produced at the time in which women were so often damsels in distress waiting to be rescued by a male savior.
15. It Defined Blockbuster Culture
When it first came out in 1977, Star Wars was the movie of the summer. An absolute smash at the box office, it was a true spectacle that everyone was keen to line up at the cinema for, setting a new precedent.
16. It's Unexpectedly Funny
One of the nicest things about Star Wars is that it doesn't take itself too seriously. There's a healthy amount of genuinely hilarious comic relief sprinkled within the epic battles and profound philosophical concepts.
Lyman Hansel Gerona on Unsplash
17. It Inspired Real-World Innovations
Science fiction has a knack for dreaming up incredible technologies, but rarely do those fictional innovations actually come to fruition in real life. Star Wars inspired generations of engineers and scientists, influencing the invention of countless technological advancements including holograms, AI, and prosthetics.
18. It's Richly Detailed
Before Star Wars, movies and shows set in space were in sleek, gleaming environments. George Lucas and his design team worked tirelessly creating countless small details to make life in the galaxy far, far away look as realistic as possible.
19. It Revolutionized Movie Merchandising
Although not the first film franchise to create a line of paraphernalia, it was the first to turn it into a core focus. Star Wars movie merchandising is a multi-billion-dollar industry that has helped finance more productions.
20. The Villains
Few other movies spend so much time on the back story of their villains as Star Wars. Each one is deep. Richly layered, and complex, with the effect of forcing audiences to question their own capacity for evil.
