Critical Explorations in Science Fiction and Fantasy: Culture Identities and Technology in the Star Wars Films : Essays on the Two Trilogies (Series #3) (Paperback)

ID: 3PA6aeFwz2

Manufacturer: McFarland & Company

Released in May 1977 the original Star Wars movie inaugurated the age of the movie blockbuster. It also redefined the use of cinematic special effects creating a new textual universe that now stretches through three decades two trilogies and generations of fascinated viewers. The body of critical analysis that has developed from this epic focuses primarily on the Star Wars universe as a contemporary myth. However like any fiction it must also be viewed--and consequently analyzed--as a product of the culture which created it. The essays in this book analyze the Star Wars trilogies as a culturally and historically specific phenomenon. Moving away from the traditional myth-based criticism of the films the essayists employ a cultural studies model to examine how this phenomenon intersects with social formations such as economics technology race and gender. Critical approaches are varied and include political and economic analysis informed by feminism contemporary race theory Marxism new media studies and post-humanism. Among the topics covered are the connections between the trilogies and our own cultural landscape; the problematic issues of race and gender; and the thematic implications of Lucas presentation of technology. Released in May 1977 the original Star Wars movie inaugurated the age of the movie blockbuster. It also redefined the use of cinematic special effects creating a new textual universe that now stretches through three decades two trilogies and generations of fascinated viewers. The body of critical analysis that has developed from this epic focuses primarily on the Star Wars universe as a contemporary myth. However like any fiction it must also be viewed--and consequently analyzed--as a product of the culture which created it. The essays in this book analyze the Star Wars trilogies as a culturally and historically specific phenomenon. Moving away from the traditional myth-based criticism of the films the essayists employ a cultural studies model to examine how this phenomenon intersects with social formations such as economics technology race and gender. Critical approaches are varied and include political and economic analysis informed by feminism contemporary race theory Marxism new media studies and post-humanism. Among the topics covered are the connections between the trilogies and our own cultural landscape; the problematic issues of race and gender; and the thematic implications of Lucas presentation of technology. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.