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Neal Stephenson on Star Wars in the NYT

Posted by Zonk on from the best-of-all-worlds dept.

SnapShot writes "Neal Stephenson has an editorial in the New York Times about the difference between the old Star Wars and the new Star Wars, and the difference between geeking out and vegging out. Oh, and computer scientists and engineers are the Jedi of the U.S." From the article: "Likewise, many have been underwhelmed by the performance of Hayden Christensen, who plays Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. Only if you've seen the "Clone Wars" cartoons will you understand that Anakin is a seriously damaged veteran, a poster child for post-traumatic stress disorder. But since none of that background is actually supplied by the Episode III script, Mr. Christensen has been given an impossible acting task. He's trying to swim in air."

4 of 679 comments (clear)

  1. Difference between old and new Star Wars by artemis67 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Old one didn't suck.

    1. Re:Difference between old and new Star Wars by HAKdragon · · Score: 5, Funny

      That reminds me of a conversation my Calculus professor (a true geek who constantly makes references to Star Wars, Star Trek and the ocassional BTTF) had with one the students during class.

      Student: I got to see Episode 1 in HD the other night.
      Professor: That's cool. Did it still suck?

      --
      "Our opponent is an alien starship packed with atomic bombs. We have a protractor."
    2. Re:Difference between old and new Star Wars by 64nDh1 · · Score: 5, Funny
      Calculus geeks - always expecting everything to change over time.

      Unfortunately, SW prequel suckage is a universal constant.

  2. Re:The Real Difference by cyngus · · Score: 5, Funny

    Because, miss the true point of the story, you do. Bringing balance to the force, this story is about. Anakin and Luke, but elements of this process are. Focus on the light side of the force, the films do. When the light side Anakin, leaves, focus of the story does he lose. Luke, then, the hopes of balance rest with, and so focus does he gain.