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Star Wars: love it or hate it, you can't ignore it. Well perhaps you could
if you went off on your once in a lifetime search for Enlightenment in the
Himalayas, but most of us have recently been (over)exposed to the
multi-generic presence of Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace,
whether we like it or not.
In order to critically live up to the pervasiveness of "the phantom
phenomenon", M/C Reviews has decided to make it the first topic in a
series of features that will provide critics of culture the opportunity to
pool perspectives on major cultural phenomena, as and when they occur.
Hit this site to keep up with future features and please feel free to
contribute.
The thirteen review articles which comprise The Phantom Phenomenon:
Some Star Wars Reflections range from two heartfelt
threnodies from Star Wars fans who feel betrayed by the saga's
latest incarnation, analyses of the the marketing force that runs through
Star Wars into toy and collecting cultures, and a meditation of the
meaning of geekiness, to a glimpse into the cross-cultural
aspects of promoting The Phantom in Japan, and an assessment of
the cultural references communicated by space costume. Race and gender
issues are dealt with as are the politico-economic subtext and lack of
humanity of the film, as perceived by two of the reviewers. And articles
about media hype, Star Wars on the web, and its haunting of
cultural memory, bear witness to Star Wars' unique impact as a
mass-mediated cultural event.
To find out who says what, why and how, click on. May the browsing force
be with you...
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