Star Wars

Mythology conceived by George Lucas that tells of the struggle between good and evil, told among an epic story about the fight between the Rebels and the Empire to dominate the Galaxy. The story is set 'A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away' (i.e., once upon a time). The story has been presented in a series of American films, which spawned dozens of books. The Star Wars mythos is also the basis of countless toys and games. Though the films and books are set in outer space and employ common science-fiction motifs, the plots are humanistic in nature. Star Wars is an outstanding example of the so-called space opera sub-genre of science fiction.
It has been noted that it is almost impossible in the United States to go for a full day without hearing some reference to Star Wars. This is a testament to the extraordinary popularity that the Star Wars films have enjoyed. The strong human appeal of the Star Wars story probably accounts for its enduring popularity.
The Star Wars films show considerable similarity to Asian Wu Xia "Kung Fu" films. Lucas has stated that his intention was to create in Star Wars a modern mythology, based on the studies of his friend Joseph Campbell. Lucas has also stated that Akira Kurosawa's 1958 film The Hidden Fortress (USA release 1962) was a strong influence. The resemblance between the two buffoon farmers in The Hidden Fortress and the two talkative droids in Star Wars is striking.
A notable feature of the Star Wars films is that they portray a world full of grime and hokey technology, not the sleek, futuristic world typical of earlier science fiction film. In one of his many interviews on the making of Star Wars, Lucas told of rubbing the new props with dirt to make the look weatherworn. It is tempting to speculate that this break from traditional science fiction film influenced the cyberpunk genre that emerged around 1984.
The name "Star Wars" was also used colloquially to refer to Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defence Initiative, a laser-based anti-ballistic missile scheme.
* Star Wars movies:
# The Phantom Menace---movie released 1999.
# Attack of the Clones---scheduled release 2002
# Episode 3---scheduled release 2005
# A New Hope---movie title was Star Wars; the first movie to be released, in 1977
# The Empire Strikes Back---movied released 1980
# Return of the Jedi---movie released 1983
* Star Wars characters:
 4-LOM
 Adi Gallia
 Admiral Ackbar
 Admiral Daala
 Admiral Piett
 Anakin Skywalker
 Aurra Sing
 Barada
 Bib Fortuna
 Biggs Darklighter
 Boba Fett
 Boss Nass
 Bossk
 C-3PO
 Callista
 Captain Panaka
 Chewbacca
 Crix Madine
 Darth Maul
 Darth Sidious
 Darth Vader
 Dengar
 Droids
 General Veers
 Grand Admiral Thrawn
 Grand Moff Tarkin
 Greedo
 Han Solo
 IG-88
 Jabba the Hutt
 Jar Jar Binks
 Jek Porkins
 Lando Calrissian
 Lobot
 Luke Skywalker
 Mace Windu
 Mara Jade
 Mon Mothma
 Nute Gunray
 Obi-Wan Kenobi
 Oola
 Palpatine
 Plo Koon
 Princess Leia
 Queen Amidala
 Qui-Gon Jinn
 R2-D2
 Salacious Crumb
 Sebulba
 Shmi Skywalker
 Stormtroopers
 Watto
 Wedge Antilles
 Wicket W. Warrick
 Yoda
 Zuckuss
* Planets and moons:
 Alderaan
 Bespin
 Coruscant
 Dagobah
 Death star...wait...that's no moon...
 Endor
 Hoth
 Naboo
 Tatooine
 Yavin 4
* Spaceships:
 X-wing
 Y-wing
 A-wing
 B-wing
 TIE Fighter
 TIE Interceptor
 TIE Bomber
 TIE Advanced
 Corellian Corvette
 Nebulon-B Frigate
 Mon Calamari Cruiser
 Star Destroyer
 Super Star Destroyer