Now, before you go and kill me for asking this question, I seriously want to know your thoughts. Ken tried to tell me its a Fantasy, and I straight up said he’s wrong because how could it NOT be Science Fiction? We’ve had epic battles about this and I’ve decided to finally do the research and prove once and for all where the Star Wars story stands.

So, backtrack for a second. I once wanted to be an English Major, and I recall in my freshman English class we were tasked with figuring out why Achilles is a Tragic Hero and Odysseus is a Comic Hero. Most people don’t know that the there is a list of characteristics a character must possess in order to be a specific hero archetype. Well, I’m going to take that same concept and apply it to the Fantasy and Science Fiction genres.

What classifies a Fantasy?

• Magic, supernatural
• Good vs. Evil
• Imaginary Lands
• Quest to obtain treasure or personal gain
• Generally in the past
• There is a hero

And the Classification of Science-Fiction?

• Speculations based on current or future science or technology
• Setting involving the future
• Involves outer space, other worlds, or aliens
• Discovery or application and/or explanation of new scientific principles
• Characters are secondary

I got this information from Wikipedia and a few other choice sites via Google. If you think anything else should be included, let me know and I’ll change the results accordingly.

Battle 1 – Setting: Time & Place

We’ll begin with the obvious. At the beginning of all the movies, it starts with “A long time ago, in a Galaxy far far away.” The movies starts with a conundrum! First we’re led to believe its going to be a fantasy movie since it starts in the past, but then we’re told its in a Galaxy far far away, so now we’re involving outer space and other worlds. Generally speaking, the Galaxy part wins the puzzle, and people choose to classify the movie as a science fiction. But, nonetheless, we cannot forget the very first sentence. The score: Fantasy – 0; Science Fiction – 0.

Battle 2 – Advanced Technology

Early on in “A New Hope,” we’re introduced to laser guns,  space travel, and light speed. These are things you would never see in a Fantasy movie or novel. The weapons, the setting, and the vehicles are all science fiction. The closest thing to fantasy that we find is possibly the Ewoks and their sticks, bows and arrows, and catapults (BTW, a few of the Ewoks are scary looking, but the first one was insanely cute!). So, one point to Science Fiction.

But, if you look at the characteristics above, there really is no explanation or speculation based on the advanced technology. They just exist. We are meant to believe that someone had invented all of this at some point in time, and go with it. So it includes all these scientific principles, but it does not explain or discover these scientific principles. So in essence, it should not count. So, take back that point from Science Fiction.

Battle 3 – Characters

So the score is still 0-0. So let’s take this a step further. The last thing to discuss under Science Fiction is “characters are secondary.” I think we can all agree that Star Wars is all about its characters. They are not secondary to discovery of truth, or the application of new ideas. No, not at all, its all about Luke, Han, Leia, and Darth Vadar. The characters are anything but secondary. They are the story. Can I take a point away from Science Fiction? Would that make it 0 to -1? Anyway, this brings me to my next point.

Battle 4 – Storyline

The story is about the battle between good and evil (and let me tell you how excited I was when Darth Vadar saved Luke at the end). Evil is bad, very very bad. And when you fight for the greater good, good things happen to you. The empire is bad, and the rebellion is good. They’re trying to rid the world of the evil empire. They’re ridding Middle Earth of Sauron. Oh wait, wrong story. Point goes to Fantasy.

Battle 5 – Plot Line

Next point, Star Wars begins with a quest for treasure and/or personal gain. Han Solo is pulled in solely for the purpose of getting paid. So “A New Hope” is his quest. The opening scenes to the movie are also the droids quest for the Death Star plans. That’s personal gain – who wants their ship to blow up? All three movies show us Luke’s quest to become something better. At first it starts with him just wanting to join the Academy, but as you move onto the other movies, its him wanting to become a Jedi. Point to Fantasy. 2 – 0.

Battle 6 – Heroes

There is a hero. Of course there is a hero. We’re rooting for Luke and Han throughout all the movies. We want them to win. That was easy. Point to Fantasy. 3 – 0.

Battle 7 – The Force

Now the last point I wanted to discuss was the magic, supernatural. Obi-Wan describes the force  “as an energy field created by all living things, that surrounds and penetrates living beings and binds the galaxy together.” Its a mystical energy, and that’s very non-scientific. So, you would think the point would go to Fantasy for that. Think again, in Episode I, The Phantom Menace, George Lucas decided to give the Force a reason of being – Midi-Chlorians. Now, this is very science-fiction like. It now explains to us this “advanced science.” So here is the dilemma. Do we give the point to Fantasy or Science Fiction? For those of you who don’t like to act like the prequels exist, point goes to Fantasy. For everyone else, point to Science Fiction.

And the winner is…

So, after really looking at the movies with this criteria, I’ve decided that Star Wars is a Fantasy (3-1 score) packaged to be a Science Fiction. Smart marketing move Mr. Lucas.

What are your thoughts?

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