![]() ![]() Since Tucker’s definition, however, other experts have adopted a more level-headed, objective, and even appreciative approach when describing these interstellar pulp stories. ![]() Space opera was unwanted and not welcomed by the more sophisticated aficionados of sci-fi, but they just had to learn to live with it. For the hacky, grinding, stinking, outworn spaceship yarn, or world-saving for that matter, we offer “space opera.” Westerns are called “horse operas”, the morning housewife tear-jerkers are called “soap operas”. “In these hectic days of phrase-coining, we offer one. The term was originally coined in 1941 by influential critic and fanzine trendsetter Bob Tucker, who, despite dedicating his life to the study of science fiction, had no kind words to say about the stories he defined as space operas. Given that space opera has a history of being scorned by critics and dismissed by academics and sci-fi scholars alike, only a few commentators have tried to define the subgenre. ![]() But I want to look at the once-maligned strand of space romp that Star Wars is very much a product of - the space opera. My colleague Cooper already looked at some of the aviation movies that inspired the franchise’s iconic space battles. Even the most influential sci-fi saga in the entire universe needed ideas to mine from along the way. To celebrate the occasion, we’ve been having our own Jedi Week here at FSR and acting like a bunch of nerds.īut as we celebrate all things Star Wars, I feel it’s also a time for reflection. ![]() It’s been 40 years since George Lucas first took us to a galaxy far, far away and ultimately changed science fiction, pop culture, and our lives forever, but even after all these we still get all giddy whenever a new movie comes along. As the galaxy celebrates The Last Jedi, we celebrate the unappreciated sub-genre of science fiction that paved the way for our favorite space adventures.Ī new Star Wars movie is upon us, which means the entire universe is experiencing one big widespread galactic fever. ![]()
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