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To: BurbankKarl
I think everyone needs to read this and be aware of the NewAge twist to this movie.

MOVIEGUIDE(R) Reviews: REVENGE OF THE SITH

On Thursday, the final installment of the most famous movie series of all-time storms into your local cineplex. STAR WARS: EPISODE III - REVENGE OF THE SITH is all over television and magazines, but only MOVIEGUIDE(R) is lifting up Darth Vader's mask to see what meaning lies underneath this exciting, epic spectacle.

MOVIEGUIDE(R) sees some problems in the STAR WARS philosophy, however. Lucas understands the insidious nature of evil, but here he places it in a strong New Age pagan context. Throughout the entire STAR WARS saga, Obi-Wan and Yoda warn Anakin and Luke Skywalker to stay away from the dark side of the force, but in this final installment, Obi-Wan says that only evil people believe in absolute -- or black and white -- truths. This statement contradicts the movie's own characters, as well as what God teaches us. Thus, the new STAR WARS movie presents a confused worldview that ultimately undermines the story's moral, redemptive power."

As a tragic drama and as an exciting, epic spectacle, REVENGE OF THE SITH succeeds brilliantly... As an expression of ultimate truth, however, its success is mixed. On the positive side, there are no sex scenes, obscenities or profanities in the movie.

"Parents and teachers need to apply plenty of media wisdom if they allow their children and students to be touched by the pagan worldview in the STAR WARS saga." Media wisdom involves paying careful attention to what you're watching and dissecting its messages.

For the complete review of REVENGE OF THE SITH, and other current movies, visit www.movieguide.org.

When you need help figuring out what a movie is saying, look to the most trusted source of Christian movie analysis, MOVIEGUIDE(R).

Christian Film & Television CommissionTM
2510-G Las Posas Road #502
Camarillo, CA 93010
Phone: 805-383-2000
Fax: 805-383-4089
www.movieguide.org


19 posted on 05/19/2005 3:45:26 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation

** Throughout the entire STAR WARS saga, Obi-Wan and Yoda warn Anakin and Luke Skywalker to stay away from the dark side of the force, but in this final installment, Obi-Wan says that only evil people believe in absolute -- or black and white -- truths. This statement contradicts the movie's own characters, as well as what God teaches us. Thus, the new STAR WARS movie presents a confused worldview that ultimately undermines the story's moral, redemptive power."**

Suddenely good becomes evil and evil becomes good with this turnabout.


24 posted on 05/19/2005 3:47:10 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation

When I see the movie tomorrow I'll know for sure, but I don't think that Obi-Wan line quite means in the context of the series what it mean just on it's own. Remember Obi-Wan considers Anakin's loss to the dark side (and all that entails) his fault for being a poor teacher. In the world of bad things for a teacher of Jedis to say that would be pretty high on the list, so that line could simply be symbolic of Obi-Wan's big mistake.

Or it could just be that George is a nuance addicted doofus.


35 posted on 05/19/2005 3:57:32 PM PDT by discostu (quis custodiet ipsos custodes)
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To: Salvation

Good gravy, what a joke, Medved and movieguide.org have really jumped the shark on this one, both have taken this one line completely out of the context of the scene.

Obi-Wan's line is not a blanket statement about "absolute" judgements of good and evil... it was about the finality of the course Anakin had just taken. Anakin's just come off a killing spree, assault his wife, and has threatened to kill Obi-Wan by stating,"if you are not with me, then you are my enemy."

Heck, the Jedi make blanket "absolute" statements throughout the film... Mace Windu calls Chancellor Palpatine evil, Yoda says Anakin is consumed by Darth Vader, and just a couple of scenes earlier Obi-Wan calls Anakin a threat and hints taht he must kill him... those all sound like "absolute" judgement calls.

I suggest Medved and Movieguide take cue from the MST3K theme song:

"Just repeat to yourself it's just a show you should really just relax."

Yancy


44 posted on 05/19/2005 4:21:24 PM PDT by gallandro
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To: Salvation
Thus, the new STAR WARS movie presents a confused worldview that ultimately undermines the story's moral, redemptive power."

Those that derive life's meaning from "special effects" movies deserve what they get.

And, whatever it is, it is probably superior to what they'd come up with on their own, if anything.

52 posted on 05/19/2005 4:29:42 PM PDT by iconoclast (Conservative, not partisan.)
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To: Salvation

The SW movies have always been reductive Zen Bhuddist parables.


59 posted on 05/19/2005 4:44:36 PM PDT by Borges
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To: Salvation

While this is true, remember it is OBI-WAN who says this about absolute good and evil, and I think one point is that Obi-wan's judgment ain't that good (I'd rate it with David's when it comes to women). I think this was subtle: OW says there is no absolute good and evil, yet he has already shown he's clueless.


61 posted on 05/19/2005 5:03:40 PM PDT by LS (CNN is the Amtrak of news)
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To: Salvation

I can see their point of view. However, I really have always seen the similarities from this movie in the political realm and when those that either don't bother to question out of apathy or refuse to question out of loyalty to a party allow the Republic to disappear


75 posted on 05/19/2005 6:58:18 PM PDT by billbears (Deo Vindice)
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