The George Lucas Key to Happiness
At its core Star Wars is all about the choice between compassion and selfishness.
This weekend I took my family to see Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. It was released in theaters for its 40th Anniversary. What’s wild is that the film ended up grossing $6.1M from just 475 theaters in six days.
This is a movie that is playing on Disney+, is sitting on the Blu-ray shelves of millions of people, and has been in heavy rotation on cable for 35+ years. Yet, when it is in the theater people went to see it.
I was there with my wife and our three kids. The audience was into it and clapped at the end of the climatic battle and when the credits rolled. Again, I would be surprised if this Sunday afternoon screening was the first time anybody has seen the movie.
What’s the appeal of Star Wars and why does it keep growing its audience as time goes on? I think it comes down to the theme of the story. At its core Star Wars is about compassion is good and leads us to loving and serving others while fear forces people into greed and evil. No matter whether you are watching one of the films, streaming one of the shows, reading the comics, or playing the video games the theme comes down to whether your are going to be compassionate or selfish.
Now, storytellers have added other story elements to that foundation, but it all comes down to compassion versus selfishness. Even Andor, the most “adult” show to date, comes down to whether people are going to live their lives in service of others or consolidate their power to control them.
As simple as it sounds, our little corner of the galaxy is so much better when we focus on others versus ourselves. Seriously, science confirms it. I think on an intrinsic level many of us are drawn to Star Wars because of this lesson at the core of it.
Also, on another level, it’s just awesome. Space battles are awesome. Bounty Hunters are awesome. Lightsabers are freakin’ awesome. The films are just fun.
So, Happy Star Wars Day everybody and May The Force be with you…always.