Re: Salinger turns to the Dark Side

jason varsoke (jjv@caesun.msd.ray.com)
Wed, 30 Jun 1999 09:26:34 -0400 (EDT) 

Bethany,
   Okay, glad to clarify.  Perhaps POV is a little too strong.  The story
is that of the adventures of C3PO and R2.  Lucas has actually stated this
much in interviews.  How it can be seen in the text isn't as well defined
as it could be.  You might compare this to _Mobey Dick_ being the story of
Ishmael.  There are certain parts of that story which clearly Ishmael
couldn't observe.  Same with our droids.  Actually, I think Lucas intends
for the droids to be the common thread.  They are always where the action
is, or in the general vicinity (compared to the entire universe).  They
were also supposed to be the only characters to last all 9 films.  Of
course, there aren't going to be 9 films any longer, as Lucas sat on his
butt too long and is now to old to do the sequel 3.  Considering this, the
entire SW saga ends up being Darth Vader's story in a strange a twisted
way.
   You'll also remember C3PO becomes the keeper of the story.  He's the
one who tells it to the Ewoks, sound effects and all.
   And yes the droids are hilarious, though in a very elivated way
sometimes.  The difference between the first film and Episode I is that SW
didn't play down to the kids, E1 spends most of it's time on cheap antics.
For example, 3P0 and R2 are getting into the escape pod and arguing.  The
2nd to last line is, "Don't call me a mindless philosopher, you overweight
glob of grease."  What age do you have to be to appreciate this line?
Well, when I was 6 I loved it.  Though I didn't really have any idea why
philosopher was phunny.  Or the humor in C3P0 trying to lie to the
Stormtroopers in on the DeathStar.  Again Anthony Daniels works wonders in
that metal frame.  3P0 is clearly trying to act.  He pauses, thinks about
the lie and executes it.  Its very visual, and I can't really explain.  
Go watch it.
   And yes there is a sense of vaudville to them.  3P0's constant worry.  
The stiff droid running for the Millenium Falcon, arms raised in panic.
You get the sense that R2 is the cool one and 3P0 his counterpoint.
   You'll also notice that R2 is a pretty heroic figure.  He's always
fixing critical things, the Falcon mostly.  In the Trench Run you get the
sense that Luke certainly has an advantage with R2 on board.  He seeks out
Obi-wan on his own to deliver a message, complete his mission.  He's
crafty, showing Luke part of the message with the beautiful girl.  On
Cloud City he uses his fire extinguisher to provide a smoke screen for
their escape.  He vainly tries to pick the lock of the Bunker on the moon
of Endor.  And so on, and so on.  
   
   In E1, everything is all messed up.  In the first movie everyone took
R2's heroics for granted.  The most he ever got was a spit shine (SW).
The relationship between the droids and the humans is ownership and
disregard.  It seems almost a slave-master relationship.  However, in E1
R2 saves the day and the Queen gives him the royal treatment.  A little
too much concern over a droid.  And though you might chalk this up to her
immaturity, it isn't representative of the cultural attitudes of the rest
of the universe.  But that's just one of the things Lucas messed up.    

-jason