The complex issue of perfection

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The new Star Wars movies have brought a character type into sharp relief. It's a concept called the "Mary Sue" or "Gary Sue." Originally a one-time character on Star Trek, this type is essentially perfect at anything they do, even beyond experts already doing those tasks, without any flaws. In "The Force Awakens" we are introduced to Rey, who is interesting and charismatic and fun--and also incomprehensibly good at whatever she wants. This isn't necessarily a problem, because the actress makes it interesting. However, what could ever challenge a flawless character? Story is based around conflict, and a main character without troubles has no conflict.

It's a seductive concept for authors, because it's very easy to demonstrate how incredible the favorite character is, because they do absolutely anything with aplomb and confidence. However, this sabotages all the other characters. If the story only requires a single star character, that's one thing (boring, but okay), however if there are more main characters then they never shine on their own. Having perfect characters may well steal any sense of trauma and danger from a story.

While audiences usually want to see the heroes succeed, they also want an exciting experience. A common twist of plot is simply for the good guys to fail, and that's impossible with a perfect character. I think a happy compromise is to give characters a singular skill, which they absolutely excel at, and let that be it. Let a character struggle and you draw in your audience, then your audience and characters somehow work together to bring the final result. It's a magical experience to join with the story and feel the world explode around you.

- M

Anticipation is hard to contain, especially pertaining to Star Wars.

I love the Star Wars movies, having watched them since they came out, and even have the ones people would rather forget. The new Episode 8 is coming out this week, and I can hardly wait. I've noticed reviews coming out already, though I've studiously ignored them completely. What really astounds me is how many contain full spoilers of the movie. Why do that? After all, the idea of a review is to educate, not spoil, the movie.

My hopes are that the story will continue in a good way. I don't mind old plot points being reused, or even seeing the old cast. What I hope is to experience a fun and engaging story, with space action and space guns and space twists. It's an adventure, but with laser swords. I try not to push my expectations overly high, because no story can possibly achieve legendary status on demand. Let it be fun and I'll be happy.

Disney has enormous plans for the Star Wars universe, including many spin-off movies and possibly another trilogy. Well, if the public wants it, then sure. My fear is that the story will lose its central position, and fan-service will take its place. Yes, fans love seeing their favorites on screen, but if there's no reason for it then the display falls empty in its own stewing juices. Create new worlds for us to experience, new characters to love, and especially new villains to make us quake in fear. Keep moving forward ... we'll hurry to catch up.

- M

Star Wars thoughts on "The Last Jedi"

So, the new Star Wars movie has a title: "The Last Jedi." Yummy. Of course, there's not rampant speculation about what it means, what this new revelation foretells about the story, and everyone is going bonkers online about it. I've stayed away from such speculation for the most part, mainly because I only want a good story and refuse to let guesses spoil it all for me. In this case, however, I feel like stepping in and offering my thoughts. Take them or leave them, I'm no fortune teller.

To me, this title is exactly what I was expecting. The entire Jedi/Sith idea is being rewritten, so a fresh and new idea can take it's place. This is more than passing the baton to the next runner, it is a change of the overall picture. In the past, there's always been Jedi and Sith and there's pretty tight restrictions on the story because of it. "The Last Jedi" could simply mean that the very concept is ending. Remember, the original Star Wars was written as a "Hero's Journey." It's a great story framework. In it, many times, the mentor figure goes away (by death or otherwise leaving) in the middle of the story, so the fresh hero can face the world on their own. My hope is this is what's happening for Star Wars episode 8.

So, following these thoughts, what I come up with is a question. Will Luke fight someone, as Ben Kenobi did against Darth Vader? Or, will Luke allow himself to fade away, like an old cowboy hero riding into the sunset? Will they pay homage, or blaze a new trail? I don't know and hope nobody spoils the surprise. I'm hope we receive a wonderful story. In the end, the story carries our hearts, not the visuals. George Lucas said as much in an old interview. I'm hoping the story again takes primary focus.

- M

Star Wars-Rogue One movie review (no spoilers here)

 

My son and I went to see the new Star Wars movie, "Rogue One." I love Star Wars, particularly the original trilogy. This movie, if you didn't know, is about how the rebels get the plans for the Death Star (the planet busing movie from the original Star Wars--now known as "Episode IV, A New Hope"). This movie nicely slots in right before it, providing a welcome new world to rampage around in. "Rogue One" is loads of fun! I loved it.

 

I'm sure some people will look for, and find, plot problems and nitpicks. But, the movie focuses on story and creates deeply provoking characters. Yes, there are call outs to well-known characters (mainly simple cameos), but this movie is all about new people. The actors clearly were having a good time and there's plenty of chemistry between them. This is a story about courage and sacrifice for the greater good. I'm all for more stories like it.

 

"Rogue One" breaks Star Wars tradition in a lot of ways, but the most surprising was that it doesn't feature a title crawl spelling out the story. Yippee! We dive straight in to the action. We are with the main character the entire movie, and get to know her hopes and pains very well. Darth Vader is back in his true role--the big and nasty muscle of the Empire--though I'm not quite sure what to think of him. As we have time to process, I hope to find people like the portrayal.

 

The movie ends as it must. However, if you think you know what happens because you know Princess Leia has the Death Star plans at the end ... well, you've watched Star Wars before. This movie is about how it happens, and it's a terrific ride. I'm glad that piece was added to the puzzle. It's a good story that deserved to be told. I can't give a better compliment as a writer.

 

- M

Yoda is awesome! But, why?

Star Wars is a great movie series. It's become a strong part of our culture. Yoda is the wise old mentor who teaches Luke the basics of being a Jedi and how to focus his talents. But, I think it's interesting that Yoda is immediately accepted as a great Jedi master. Consider, the audience knows nothing about Yoda from previous stories, and is only mentioned once by Ben Kenobi as "the Jedi master who taught me." Still, when Yoda shows up (a curiously little, frail, silly, old creature), he is instantly credible and believed. Also, he does no fighting or Jedi stuff--aside from lifting Luke's X-Wing out of the bog. He demonstrates great wisdom and patience.

 

So, why doesn't the audience question him as a great "warrior?"

 

Because Yoda shows fantastic restraint. Even when he argues with Ben that Luke is too old, Yoda is only toying and not actually upset. Great warriors show restraint.

 

Isao Machii, iaijutsu master

There is a wonderful old story about three swordsmen talking with a great master in turns. The first, a young student, is speaking and a sharp sound comes from the doorway. The student leaps up and shakily draws his sword, uncertain. Next, an experienced student is talking and the sound comes from the door. The student rolls to the side, neatly pulling his sword and coming up ready. At last, a top student is with the great master, when a noise comes from the doorway. The student rolls back, smoothly drawing his sword, and slashes an acorn in half as it drops toward him. Finally, the students ask the master, "Why didn't you react at all?" The great master looks at them calmly. "It was only an acorn."

 

- M

Star Wars, Episode VIII is ... filming ... oh, um, spoilers :)

 

I'll admit I'm a bit puzzled by the fanfare of this news. I never expected the new Star Wars to magically appear. Still, it gives me a great opportunity to point out some things I really enjoyed about "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." (So, spoilers if you haven't seen the movie yet).

 

My biggest thrill was seeing this movie treated like a real story and not just an action adventure. The events in the movie are adding up, the story growing, as pieces fall apart and get replaced. It takes guts these days to let a villain survive, particularly after killing a main character. Also, watching a romance develop and not have it go all in before the movie is over is a treat (I anticipate a nice growth to the relationship between Finn and Rey, whatever that turns out to be).

 

I particularly liked seeing the old physical models of Admiral Akbar and Lando's first officer during the attack on the 2nd Death Star (Nien Nunb is the name, he has a wide face ridge). I'm sure there are others, but I focused on those. Regarding lightsabers, we finally see someone who isn't a Jedi using one, and it's pretty hilariously accurate when he gets thrashed--twice. Finally, as I hoped, Luke isn't in the movie until right before the credits. I applaud the restraint. Amazing.

 

I don't make predictions for movies, though I have great hopes that the original trio (Luke, Han, and Leia) have peripheral roles--they are collectively the wise old hermit in any Hero's Journey outline. These new movies should be about Rey and Finn and BB-8. And, I think they will be. The villain will transform to new heights, due particularly to the brutal slaying of his father (I bet Harrison Ford is happy though, since word has it he wanted Han Solo to die back in "The Empire Strikes Back"). In keeping with the Hero's Journey, I hope the big baddie Snoke isn't fully revealed until the 3rd movie. As for redemption, it could go either way. It's gonna be a fun ride.

 

- M

I'm not the main character, but, hey, I'm important!

Main characters are the point of the story, sure, but secondary characters can be just as much fun. R2-D2 and BB-8 aren't main Star Wars characters, but I'll bet everyone in the world knows them. Supporting characters not only prop up the story, but add welcome distractions and can be as goofy and strange and idiotic as you want. In a literary sense they're called "foils." But, some of my favorites are secondary characters, and probably because they're silly and fun.

 

Amazing things happen when care and love is spent on all the players in a story, regardless how small. Fan clubs have been created for even the most incidental people in movies (yup, even the Elven Council scene in the Lord of the Rings, where a handful of elves are arguing, has fans of each of those elves). There's no knowing what people will latch onto, or why they like what they do. So, why not include a bunch of choices In my own work, I've found it hard not to smile when some of the secondary characters show up.

 

I'm still astonished by the spectacular success of the new Star Wars, and really hope the toys will branch out beyond the main characters. I'd love to have a toy figure of that old man who gave the starchart key to the resistance pilot at the start. Or, the goofy parts dealer who only paid with powdered bread (I must admit, I love that little detail). Actually, I'm sure they'll sell as many toys as they can reasonably get away with.

 

Captain Phasma--what was it she did?

 - M

BB-8, the newest Star Wars droid everyone wants.

BB-8 droid from Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I admit it, when I saw the previews for the new Star Wars, I actually hated the newest droid, BB-8. Well, now that I've seen the movie, I love the little guy. He's happy, loyal, intelligent, and has just enough human-like qualities to make him instantly endearing. I'm not sure droids have gender, but I'll just use the male since I'm male and I like it. Funny, I never thought they could pull off another R2-D2 without being ridiculous.

Yup, they did.

The little ball robot mimics a thumbs-up, chirps in a way sounding almost exactly like "yep", and has sounds that speak of a vocabulary without using any words (just like R2-D2 did). I'm amazed how instantly I related to the little guy and had no trouble at all falling right into line with him. I'm sure we will see him function in the same way the other droids have, with him doing little helpful things and being generally nice.

He's the only droid in focus, and that's fine since he easily fills both fun guy and useful guy. The most important part is he's likable and not in the way. He's a great part of the movie without interfering. You can't ask for much more than that.

- M

By the way, did you know it's a real toy too? One you can drive around with your smartphone? Just passing along the word...

Star Wars: The Force Awakens ... my review--with Zero spoilers

 

 

Star Wars. I grew up with it. It's one of my all time favorite stories. It formed a lot of my desire to produce my own stories, as it did for many others. I love and admire the heroes, just as much as I love to hate the villains. The story is generational, and has indeed become classic to our culture. Now, we have a new Star Wars upon us. How does it measure up?

 

I loved it.

 

Clearly, the people involved in producing this new trilogy have deep respect and appreciation for the source material. But, this is a new story, with new characters, new motivations, new enemies, and new places. This is not a rehash. This is not fan-fiction. This is a fresh, breathing, alive new universe. This movie did something all great movies do: made me care for the characters! I want to see them succeed, and when they do I cheer and when they don't I cry. Their goals become my own and I feel myself enter their world and ride alongside them.

 

I won't critique the story (every story has flaws), but I will say that as a storyteller myself, this movie hit all the right notes. It gently brought us to the point where we understood the goals and the stakes. Even the opening title crawl only gives enough to get the ball rolling (hee hee, droid joke there ... you'll get it later). As an audience member, I'm fully invested in the fate of these new heroes. Yes, this is a wonderful story that brings Star Wars to a new generation.

 

I eagerly await the next installment, because this story matters to me. I'm willing to bet you'll feel the same way. The Force has indeed Awakened.

 

- M

The new Star Wars trailer is out, and already breaking records at the box office!

Way back, far away, and seeming ages ago, Star Wars blasted into theatres and forever changed cinema. Star Wars ushered in a new kind of special effects, and brought audiences into the future with glee and vigor. The story was unashamedly heroic, with larger than life heroes, acts of dastardly evil, and incredible sacrifice. It gave us a world of wonder and danger, wrapped in effects so dazzling we still point to them as groundbreaking.

 

And now, we have the preview of what's to come with the new story (Episode 7, The Force Awakens). The 88 second video practically crashed the internet, and ticket sales have gone so crazy that some are selling them on EBay for $10,000. It's crazy. Maybe the reason is because the story displayed by the preview is epic and what we've been begging for since the very first Star Wars. I hope the actual movie lives up to the hype--since reality never seems to match up to hype. Here's hoping Disney knows what it's doing with this one.

 

If this new vision of Star Wars is successful, I predict a new swell of stories copying the myth. That's not bad at all. In fact, I welcome it, since I love science fiction. Maybe will all the new money pouring in to fantastical worlds it will bring fresh creative talent into the mix. I doubt I could ever have enough space adventures ... or fantasy ones either.

 

May the Force be with you!

 

- M

Star Wars projects as we await the next episode!

Several of my friends find all kinds of incredible projects people have done in the spirit of Star Wars--a Darth Vader grill, or Stormtrooper doggie sets, and I see Boeing just painted one of their Dreamliner jets as R2-D2. Amazing. Kinda strange, but neat. It's a testimony to how deeply this series of movies has affected our culture. It's safe to say that everybody knows what Star Wars is, even if they haven't seen the movies.

I still can't say I fully understand why these movies are so beloved. The story is a very simple hero's journey. The setting is pretty standard science fiction for the era. Perhaps it was the incredible special effects? Maybe. Was it the actors? Nope, since they were unknowns at the time (aside from the eminent Sir Alec Guiness). I think it was a very special and unique blend of people wanting a story of hope and ultimate victory mixed in with cutting edge special effects and that ultimate strangeness of "it's awesome." Okay, so I don't know for sure, but I definitely believe it was a "one in a billion" happening.

Star Wars 7 is coming up quickly (Dec. 2015) and is almost sure to be a huge blockbuster. I have great hopes that they focus back on story rather than dripping the scenes with special effects. Let's bring back the hero stories with villains that are simple and get under our skin. Let the Jedi ways be mysterious and sparingly used. I want the old Cowboys in Space kind of feel that the original series had. But, whatever shows up, you can bet I'll be there watching it. So help me, I love Star Wars!

- M

p.s. I'd love one of those Darth Vader grills, if anyone wants to make one for me.

Angry Birds - Star Wars edition ... get it ... get it now! ... get it now, you must!

I can't believe I missed a post because I spent last night playing Angry Birds - Star Wars edition. I'm embarrassed. On the plus side, what a fantastic game that is! If you've ever played a knock-down-the-blocks game as a kid, then this is the grown up version on steroids. It has fun puzzles, an engaging play style, and wonderful characters. The Star Wars characters we all love are folded into the world of Angry Birds with love and joy.


Rovio Entertainment

Computer games have been a part of my life since their inception. I particularly love rpg games, but I do enjoy a good action game. Mostly, though, I like puzzle games. There's something especially enjoyable to me when I solve a puzzle in a creative way, or break through a devious plan and come out on top. Maybe it's my way of saying, "Aha! I'm smarter than you!" But, of course, that's the point of a game, in that you beat it. Games aren't much fun if you can't win, and I doubt anyone would play for very long if it is hopeless. You can only beat your screen in frustration for so long before you chunk it and go on to something else.

It's been a pleasure to watch the game industry flex and bend with new technologies. I remember when the first mobile phone games came out, and I did roll my eyes at them. Now, it's a multi-billion dollar industry, with no signs of slowing down. People want something simple they can goof around on for a few minutes (or hours as my case was) and then go about their day. It's great, and I hope it continues for a long time to come.

- M