franka (12/31/82)
#R:inuxd:-22100:tekcad:700003:000:1309
tekcad!franka Dec 31 10:38:00 1982
Lucas *** IS NOT *** "just a young upstart" in science fiction. One
recalls that his second film was THX-1138 which did not make a lot of money
(although it was one of the few science fiction films at the time and it
showed a good sense of humor, some good acting, and some good writing). I
think that the science fiction industry has a lot to thank Lucas for. Be-
fore SW:ANH, most science fiction movies really stank. Lucas opened up a
whole new industry in good (at least technically in sfx) science fiction. If
he had played it safe and did something like American Grafitti III, the
major movie companies would have never seen the profits in SF.
I know it hurts people like Bova when he sees three SF movies by
one person making more money than most science fiction writers make in a
lifetime, but first consider the risk involved. One stinker in the movie
industry today, and you can lose your professional life. Lucas understands
this but STILL tried another science fiction movie.
If anything, Bova should thank Lucas for bringing a higher visibility
to SF. Bova's attitude shows a lot of sour grapes and should not be taken
seriously.
Not afraid to flame,
Frank Adrian
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