marotta%lezah.DEC@decwrl.ARPA (08/05/85)
From: marotta%lezah.DEC@decwrl.ARPA (MARY MAROTTA) I've read so many messages about Ewoks and other "cute" characters in Science Fiction movies, that I just have to respond. Let's face it, the Ewoks had to be small and cute in the Empire Strikes Back. They were, politically, the indiginous species of the planet, and the Rebellion needed them to help fight the Stormtroopers. Do you think that any indiginous species that looked like a robot could have tied up Skywalker & Co. and then negotiated to help destroy the Imperial troops? I don't think that would have been believable. But as the indiginous species, it is quite likely that their initial reaction to the presence of Luke & Co. would be initially hostile. Somehow, the Ewoks had to keep the sympathy of the audience even while they threatened to eat "Our Hero." The image of the Ewok served the purpose, and I think it was quite an appropriate solution to the problem, considering the fact that the Star Wars movies seem to have been made for the 10- to 15-year-old audience range. Let's talk about appearances, shall we? I want to flame off about people who assume that Cute and Fuzzy is weak and powerless, while Ugly and Scaly always indicates an ugly and dangerous person. Lots of science fiction movies try to show the fallacy of this assumption, but few make a point of proving it ain't so. The Last Starfight succeeded in making the audience "love" a lizard-like alien -- I think that was the movie's most original idea. But the movies don't go far enough. Sure, some aliens might be ugly, but friendly and some might be cute, but dangerous. But that's not the point, is it? What we as a species (Homo Spaciens, intentional misspelling) need is more emphasis on understanding and compassion if we want to survive. Let's face it, we consider ourselves "technologically advanced" but we aren't likely to last another millenium unless we develop our innate abilities to communicate, care, serve, trust, love, and cooperate to the best interest of all races and species. It's clear to me why no other intelligent species have come to Earth and made their presence known -- just watch Starman if you need clarification. So far, technology has proven to be the toy of the powerful, ambitious, and heartless. Each of us must react to the ever-widened influence of technology in our own way. But to use a heavy sword, you have to build powerful muscles and develop mental discipline. Similarly, we cannot effectively wield the forces of technology until our hearts and minds learn how to control and use technology for the good of all humankind, and, if there are others like us, for the good of all species. The Ewoks, having proven their ability to change their initial reaction to the presence of aliens, and in their courageous struggle to help Luke kill off the stormtroopers, have one up on the human race.