LEXX vs Star Wars
quote:
Originally posted by DalekTek790:
[i]Star Wars[/i] is not a ripoff of [i]The Hidden Fortress[/i], it’s an homage.
Seeing as how [i]The Wizard of Oz[/i] is a cinematic icon (we’re dealing specifically in cinematic precedents here, so let’s narrow the focus), and is known to practically anyone who lives (particularly in North America), “Woz” can be considered more of an homage than [i]Star Wars[/i]. Lucas never mentioned any relation between [i]The Hidden Fortress[/i] and [i]Star Wars[/i] until the similarities were pointed out, and a Japanese period drama from the early 1960’s is not generally considered a touchstone of popular culture. [i]The Hidden Fortress[/i] remains fairly unknown to the general populace outside of the [i]Star Wars[/i] connection. There is a fine line between homage and rip-off, and [i]Star Wars[/i] walks it, but leans over toward the rip-off side ever so slightly. As it was acknowledged by Lucas as an inspiration for [i]Star Wars[/i] I phrased it “blatantly rips off.” Because it is blatant and self-acknowledged.
…And [i]Star Wars[/i] doesn’t push any envelopes. It is as much a thing of the past as “Buck Rogers.” There is nothing visionary in the storytelling, and the whole thing is lifted from Japanese sources and old serials (at least as much as the Indiana Jones series). Effects-wise, the series is spectacular. But both story-wise and the structure of the films themselves, it’s been done before.
And the same goes for [i]Star Trek.[/i]
–Aleck