The Journey of Luke Skywalker

April 1, 2001
Since the release of the first installation in 1977, the "Star Wars" saga has become an all-consuming passion bordering on a religion for millions worldwide. And it's not just the fun plotting, likable characters, cool props, and dazzling visual effects that keep fans begging for more. Behind the space dogfights and light-saber duels is a mythology that touches a chord in the human psyche. Galipeau, the executive director of the Coldwater Counseling Center in Studio City, CA, here offers a Jungian analysis of the four "Star Wars" flicks in terms of both characters and story. The book is essentially a blow-by-blow description of each film with liberal doses of dialog, followed by Galipeau's interpretation of what the characters' words and actions might mean on a deeper level. Discussing each episode on a separate basis allows readers to comprehend the psychological growth of each character, especially Luke, who is transformed from an inexperienced adolescent to a spiritually and mentally mature adult by the series' finale. As the prime audience for this book is geek fanboys who can recite these scripts in their sleep, the author spends too much time detailing each scene and ignores that film is a visual art, so many of the elements he attaches great significance to appear in the story simply because they look boffo on screen. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, and a Saturday afternoon movie is just a Saturday afternoon movie. Nonetheless, this title will be the basis of many Internet discussions not to mention term papers by fans who will enjoy it. Recommended. Michael Rogers, "Library Journal"

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.