GUYS DID YOU SEE THE NEW STAR WARS TRAILER? AND THE BATTLEFRONT TRAILER? JESUS CHRIST IT'S GOOD TO HAVE STAR WARS BACK IN MY LIFE! So in case you didn't get the hint I love Star Wars, like, insanely so. I love the world, I love the style, I love the music, I love it all. So to celebrate all that cool Star Wars stuff that was shown recently, we're going to have some Star Wars themed recommendations! That's not all, like any good returning series, it's good to have a bit of nostagia to hook the audience, so for one night only (until the next time he writes), I'd like to welcome back that one guest writer that you all seemed to like the last couple of times he's written stuff for the blog: MAX! I hope you clapped then. I know I did.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope - George Lucas (Film) - Author: Chris
So let's kick this thing of with the original film. The film formally known as Star Wars, before all the titling stuff was added at a later point. So A New Hope holds a special place in my heart due to the simple fact that it's the film that started it all. It's truly an amazing film, with so much to enjoy from the set designs, the prop designs, the costume designs, the characters, the music, the aliens (and so on and so on.) I could talk about this film (and any of the other films quite honestly) for ever, and I wouldn't get bored. As I've said on occasion, it's hard to actually write about what is so special about this film, considering most people have already seen it and enjoy it, but still, it's nice to have an excuse to gab on about this corker of a film. This film started something massive, and without it, a large portion of my life, and quite a number of people's lives, would so unbelievably different. It's insane to think that a consecutive set of still images can create such a legacy, but this film managed it. And after ten years, we are getting another Star Wars film. Holy shit.
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back – Irvin Kershner (Film) – Author: Max
The recommendation this week is specifically about Star Wars, so what is my choice of film? The best of the Star Wars films of course! During my childhood, the franchise practically was my life, and this film has always been my favourite of the bunch by far. I can't explain exactly what it is, the plot, the director, whatever, but this film just has something that separates it from the other five to me. And in terms of every other film ever? Pff, they have nothing on Empire Strikes Back, and today's recommendation is solely about Star Wars so they can GO AWAY THEY'RE NOT WANTED HERE. Now, I'm fully aware that I'm not actually providing any real reasoning as to why this film is so good, but I feel like it doesn't need it. It has always been a part of my life and I have always loved it. I couldn't even begin to try and remember how many times I've seen it either, and every time I re-watch it, I am just swamped by this wave of nostalgia that causes the six year old Max inside of me to squeal with joy. If you haven't seen this film... I have nothing to say to you...
The Battle of Hoth (Medley) - John Williams (Music) - Author: Chris
When I originally started writing this segment, I wrote a few lines, then decided to read what Max had written. Honestly he put it exactly how I wrote it, not even joking. I talked of the obvious choices, and how John Williams is god. This was one of the hardest things to decide, but for me, the crème de la crème of Star Wars tracks was The Battle of Hoth. And not just particular segments of it. All of it. All fourteen minutes and forty seven seconds of it. Every second of it is essential, every moment creates an emotion, every note puts the exact moment it is played in the film in my head. I can see the rebels getting into the snow speeders. I can see them watching into the horizon through their goggles anxiously. I can see the stomping of the AT-ATs as it rhythmically matches the appropriate segment of the song. I can see the rebels finally bringing an AT-AT down and destroying it. Not many songs can bring emotion to me so easily with each beat, but this piece can. Oh lord above this piece destroys my emotions every time I hear it. That is how a score should be. Nothing comes close.
Check it. It will change your life.
The Battle of Endor II (Part 2) – John Williams (Music) – Author: Max
Okay, in terms of music, John Williams is a master. For this particular segment, there are some obvious choices, such as the main theme, Duel of the Fates or Imperial March, but this part of The Battle of Endor piece just gets to me. It occurs when Darth Vader is ripping into Luke during the end of Return of the Jedi, and Luke just kicks off at him. I think, and have always thought, that this scene is masterful. Just like Empire Strikes Back, I have watched Return of the Jedi countless times (it's the second best one, although I have watched them all countless times so eh), and every time I watch it, the music in this scene never ceases to give me chills. Also, it features the Emperor's theme, which is just brilliant and truly evil. John Williams, you babe. Now go and listen to this 6 minute long piece and you will not be disappointed. If you do not like it (which is unlikely)... then perhaps she will...
Here's the link to fun times.
Star Wars Republic Commando - LucasArts (Game) - Author: Chris
Oh LucasArts, rest in peace you beautiful company. I have played many a Star Wars game, so many I can't even count them (I bet I could if I tried hard enough), and while I have loved most of them, my true love resides in Republic Commando. It was a first person squad shooter, in which you played as a squad of commandos, the Republic's best clone troopers. It was so well made, the squad command was superb, the characters were intense, the setting were phenomenal, and in true me fashion, I adored the soundtrack. It ranged from beauts like this, to less traditional Star Wars stuff like this. Yeah there was an Ash song for some reason and you know what? I love it. No other Star Wars game to date has used a song like that, and it works! It really makes you feel like a clone, rather than an unkillable Jedi, I mean Jesus, you needed to fully have your squad at top game to take out ONE super battle droid. ONE! Oh, and then you have to sneak through a super battle droid factory solo. And if you mess up? You don't get game over, oh no, they all wake up, and you can (in theory) fight your way through them. I say in theory because you couldn't unless you were a master assassin. But it was possible, and that was just one of the many things I loved about it. Oh, and the ghost cruiser level. That shit was creepy as hell. Also, WHERE IS MY SEQUEL GOD DAMMIT!
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast – Raven Software (Game) – Author: Max
WHY DOES STAR WARS HAVE BRILLIANT THINGS IN EVERY FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT!? Once again, my choice here comes down to sheer nostalgia. Jedi Outcast is an absolutely fantastic game, I used to smash this back in the day on PC and I loved it because... well... it's Star Wars! You play as Kyle Katarn, a former Jedi who has cut his links with the Force after almost succumbing to the Dark Side. Honestly, I don't remember much about the game in terms of plot or anything, but all I know is it was phenomenal, also the Multiplayer was pretty darn fun. 2002 was a good year because of the release of this game (and also the release of Attack of the Clones but whatever), and now, 13 years later, I am wanting to dig out this game from wherever I left it, install it and blitz it. Which probably isn't smart, due to exams looming. Stress. Fun. Stress. Play this game.
BONUS- Death Troopers - Joe Schreiber (Book) - Author: Chris
So as most of you may know, I don't read much. But I did one time read a Star Wars book that was about zombies. Not in a fan fiction way either. Like, it felt like a really gruesome horror story (seriously, it is extremely dark and insanely violent), but set in the Star Wars universe. It's about a prison ship that finds an abandoned Star Destroyer in the middle of space. Like the entire thing is abandoned some how. Then it has zombies on it. That learn. It's actually really awesome and I reread it frequently. I am reminded about a segment in which someone is crawling over a dark cavern (like the one Luke swings over in New Hope), and after smelling an awful stench, turns on his light to discover the cavern is full of corpses, most of them reanimated. Then some of them start eating their way through the corpse pile to get to the top and get to the guy. In a Star Wars book. This may indeed fan-fictiony, especially considering Han and Chewie are in it. But I don't care, I adore this book. In fact, I do believe it is my favourite book ever. Not even joking with you.
Well damn that was a lot of writing. What can I say, we both have a passion for Star Wars. I really hope you've enjoyed this extra long edition of the recommendation, and I do hope you guys have your say on your favourite Star Wars stuff. Also I really want to find someone other than me who has read Death Troopers. IT'S SO GOOD HOLY SHIT. Goodnight guys.
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