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As the fifth 'Star Wars' film emerges, here is a brief history of the saga

Thursday, May 16, 2002

By Ron Weiskind, Post-Gazette Movie Editor

OK, Jedi knights, how is your memory? The geekboys waiting in line over the past month for the opening of "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones" can cite chapter and verse on the most insignificant detail or fleeting character in the series.

	Yoda: Ever wise he is. Movie Review 'Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones' Official movie site www.starwars.com/episode-ii/

Casual fans, on the other hand, may be excused for getting their Anakins mixed up with their Amidalas (which, come to think of it, is a lot of what Episode II is about).

"Attack of the Clones" is the fifth of the six "Star Wars" films, although just the second chronologically. You'll find back story smacking into foreshadowing throughout.

So, in the name of clarity, here's a look back (and ahead) at the "Star Wars" saga, starting with Episode I.

STORY: The Trade Federation plans to invade the planet Naboo. Jedi knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi escort the planet's teen-age Queen Amidala as she goes to seek help from the Republic. They detour to the planet Tatooine and meet 9-year-old Anakin Skywalker, who exhibits vast potential in the ways of the mystical Force. A climactic space battle finds the good guys winning -- for now -- but Qui-Gon Jinn dies.

MAJOR CHARACTERS: Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) is a Jedi knight training headstrong Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) poses as her own servant girl, with a double in heavy facial makeup and elaborate costumes. Darth Maul (Ray Park), an evil Sith Lord with a devil's face, sets out to kill our heroes under orders from Darth Sidious. Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) is a sweet, little, blond boy who will grow up to be at the center of the entire saga.

SIDEKICK: Jar Jar Binks (Ahmed Best), a computer-generated amphibian who is meant to serve as comic relief, proves endlessly annoying with his bumbling antics and linguistic dyslexia, spoken in an accent that some have labeled racist.

BEST SET PIECE: Anakin takes part in a pod race on Tatooine sponsored by warlord Jabba the Hutt, who returns in future episodes. The racers speed under, around and through a rocky desert landscape. The camera swoops us right along with them and leaves us breathless.

QUOTE: "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you." -- Jedi master Yoda (voice of Frank Oz), whose misgivings prove all too prophetic, to Anakin.

Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) is retired, but proves he's still down with the Force in Episode IV.

STORY: Ten years have passed since Episode I. Obi-Wan Kenobi is training Anakin, who also proves headstrong. Amidala, now a senator of the Republic, is the target of an assassination attempt. Obi-Wan and Anakin are assigned to protect her. Obi-Wan goes off to track down a key suspect, leaving Anakin to watch over Amidala. Meanwhile, the Republic girds for war against a separatist movement led by a disillusioned former Jedi.

MAJOR CHARACTERS: Anakin (Hayden Christensen) has grown into a handsome young man with an angry edge who chafes at Obi-Wan's restrictions. Obi-Wan has grown more cautious and responsible, but remains handy with a light-saber. Amidala also has matured and begins falling in love with Anakin (and he with her) even though both the Jedi code and her own responsibilities give them pause. Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), who heads the Republic, takes on greater powers as war threatens. Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) heads the opposition forces.

SIDEKICKS: The droids R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), who appear in Episode I, become more integral parts of the action here. C-3PO also gets a metallic skin, although not the gold plating he will sport later. Alas, Jar Jar is still around, but only a little.

BEST SET PIECE: A gladiator sequence in which the Jedi knights band together to fight Dooku's forces.

QUOTE: "Why do I get this feeling that you'll be the death of me?" -- Obi-Wan Kenobi to Anakin. Little does he know.

Speculation: We don't know the title nor the specific plot points. But we do know what has to happen. So here are the essential questions that "Star Wars: Episode III" must answer:

How does Anakin Skywalker complete his journey to the dark side and transform into Darth Vader?

What happens to Amidala? When are Luke and Leia born? How do they end up with their foster families?

How does Palpatine consolidate his power, liquidate the Republic and create the empire?

How do Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda end up isolated on remote planets? What happens to the rest of the Jedi knights? Who organizes the rebellion against the empire?

How do the droids end up on the ship with Leia? How does C-3PO get his gold plating?

Do they finally kill off that blasted Jar Jar Binks?

	Loyal sidekick: C-3PO.

STORY: Princess Leia Organa, a rebel sympathizer, is captured by Imperial troops led by the fearsome Darth Vader. But she manages to send stolen blueprints of the empire's Death Star, a space station capable of obliterating whole planets, to Obi-Wan Kenobi, now a hermit living on Tatooine. Obi-Wan and farm boy Luke Skywalker -- Anakin's son -- buy a ride from smuggler Han Solo. They rescue Leia, head for the rebel base and search for a way to destroy the Death Star before it can destroy them.

MAJOR CHARACTERS: Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), a teen-ager living with his Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, has been told his father is dead. Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) is a member of the Imperial Senate but supports the rebellion against the emperor. Darth Vader (David Prowse/voice of James Earl Jones), a Sith Lord who has mastered the dark side of the Force, represents the emperor and wields enormous power. Han Solo (Harrison Ford) is a cynical smuggler on the run from Jabba the Hutt and is in it strictly for the money. Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) begins training Luke in the ways of the Force, but meets his demise fighting Vader.

SIDEKICKS: Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) is Han Solo's friend and co-pilot, a large hairy creature (Leia calls him "a big walking carpet") who is intensely loyal and a fearless fighter. R2-D2 carries Leia's message to Tatooine and assists Luke when he flies against the Death Star, while C-3PO complains throughout.

BEST SET PIECE: The climactic battle in space to destroy the Death Star. Runners-up: The Death Star blows up Leia's home planet of Alderaan. The spectacular visual effect of Han Solo's ship, the Millennium Falcon, moving into hyperdrive.

QUOTE: "May the Force be with you." -- Repeated endlessly by almost everyone.

Story: Darth Vader and his Imperial stormtroopers launch an attack on the new rebel base. Han and Leia escape in the Millennium Falcon, but Luke follows Obi-Wan's advice and seeks advanced Jedi training from Yoda, living in exile on Degobah. Han is double-crossed by an old acquaintance, Lando Calrissian, allowing Vader to capture him and Leia. Luke, sensing their plight, disobeys Yoda and heads off to rescue them, only to learn that Darth Vader is his father, Anakin Skywalker.

Major characters: Luke separates from the others to follow his own path to the Force but risks everything when he interrupts his training. That impetuous decision is a virtual death blow to Yoda, who was a key figure on the Jedi council in Episodes I and II. Han has become committed to the rebel cause -- and to Leia, who eventually re-ciprocates. Vader uses them to bait a trap for Luke, revealing their connection and hoping to lure him to the dark side. Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) proves Han's contention that he can't be trusted but insists Vader left him no choice.

Sidekick: He isn't even named in the movie, but bounty hunter Boba Fett (Jeremy Bulloch) has become one of the favorite characters of "Star Wars" geeks. Jabba the Hutt hires him to capture Han Solo. Vader beats him to it, then turns the immobilized Solo over to him.

Best set piece: The light-saber battle between Luke and Vader inside Lando's cloud city, leading to Vader's startling revelation and Luke's reaction to it.

Quote: "I am your father." -- Darth Vader to Luke.

Story: Leia, Chewbacca and a somber Luke Skywalker rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt. The empire is building a new Death Star. Luke heads back to finish his Jedi training with Yoda. The others join the resourceful, teddy-bearish Ewoks in a battle against Imperial stormtroopers. Luke returns and allows himself to be captured by Vader. Emperor Palpatine tries to kill Luke when he won't join the dark side, but Vader kills the emperor instead. The rebels destroy the Death Star and, with it, the empire.

Major characters: Luke, dressed in black and looking grim, is a far cry from the simple farm boy on Tatooine. But Vader has also changed, finally allowing his feelings for his son to overcome the dark side. Han keeps plunging into battle and fears Leia loves Luke, not knowing what we have learned, that she is his twin sister. Lando atones for his treachery by joining the rebels. Emperor Palpatine, once the unctuously handsome chancellor of the old Republic, has become a ghastly old tyrant twisted with hate and bile. His death, along with those of Vader and Yoda, bring the saga to an end.

Sidekicks: Wicket (Warwick Davis), the leader of the Ewoks, leads the low-tech revolt against the high-tech invaders of his planet. He proves as resourceful as he is cuddly.

Best set piece: The chase scene with Han and Leia fleeing stormtroopers on speeder bikes racing through a dense forest.

Quote: "You underestimate the power of the dark side. If you will not fight, then you will meet your destiny." -- Darth Vader to Luke, proving that father doesn't always know best.