I've read most of Tolkien's work and once knew it backwards and forwards. I have to say that his world his neither as big as Star Wars, nor are there as many pieces of it as Star Wars (movies, novels, games, comics, visual guides etc.).
__________________ Recently Produced and Distributed Young but High-Ranking Political Figure of Royal Ancestry within the Modern American Town Affectionately Referred To as Bel-Air.
Better? It's a rather subjective idea. Certainly from a literary standpoint Tolkien's world is considered to be a masterpiece of writing. Star Wars on the other hand is meant to be "fun."
Yes- without a doubt. It has several functioning languages, a time scale similar to Star Wars and is a classic of English literature.
The elven languages were all formulated by a specialist in linguistics- the star wars languages come from racial stereotypes. And lets not forget KotOR alien language: Mucha chappa paka. The only phrase EVER that remains the same in 25 languages that arose from different species.
Tolkien's world spans from the creation of the universe through four 'Ages,' each lasting thousands of years. There are approx. 12000 years of recorded history, with the Fourth age being excluded because of its unknown length. The appocolypse is included in LotR mythology, so Lord of the Rings can be said to include the entire lifetime of the universe. Star wars has nearly twice this number. Recorded history starts with the Sith Species and continues to some 100 years post RotJ. Star Wars may have the larger timeline, but Lord of the Rings has a more inclusive one.
Tolkien's work is a pillar of Western literature, with cultural ramifications similar to those of The Odyssey or Beowulf. He revolutionized the Fantasy genre, incorporated Nordic and Slavic myths into his work, and maintains influence generations after his death. Today, almost all fantasy novels or movies have an 'orc equivalent' be it stereotypical Russians (the Golden Compass film) or Kull, Christopher Paolini's direct copy of the Uruk Hai. The cute 'Keebler elf' or fairy has been left behind, Elves in most modern fantasy stories are neither cute nor cuddly- they are tall, stern, graceful creatures with infinite lifespans. This is a reflection on the totality of Tolkien's work's (and therefore the underlying Nordic Myths) absorption into the cultural subconscious.
It may not be bigger, in terms of published work, as he was one author publishing without the aid of film franchises or merchandising, but it is undeniably richer and more thought out.
36 000 years, actually. But yeah, definitely richer. I'd take any Tolkien book with me to a desert island (especially the Silmarillion) before a Star Wars novel and I'd take a Jackosn film before a Star Wars one.
__________________ Recently Produced and Distributed Young but High-Ranking Political Figure of Royal Ancestry within the Modern American Town Affectionately Referred To as Bel-Air.
Registered: Sep 2008
Location: Somewhere in the galaxy
Not bigger perahps, but better I say. LOTR is a masterpiece of literature, and while I like star wars, especially as something entertaining, LOTR is in another level for me.
__________________ I have never let my schooling interfere with my education
You, sir, are about as high as a kite. George Lucas > Peter Jackson by a long ass mile. Maybe not in directing... but storytelling? He doesn't even register.
Bah! Opinions and preferences. I judge a movie on the basis of how often I can watch it without becoming sick of it. I can watch a LotR film twice in a row, but a Star Wars I have to limit to once every several months.
__________________ Recently Produced and Distributed Young but High-Ranking Political Figure of Royal Ancestry within the Modern American Town Affectionately Referred To as Bel-Air.
Which gives me plenty of time to forget about the beginning and make me go back and watch.
__________________ Recently Produced and Distributed Young but High-Ranking Political Figure of Royal Ancestry within the Modern American Town Affectionately Referred To as Bel-Air.
And you sir, are ignoring the issue. We don't care about the ineptidude of Peter Jackson. He left out the Scouring of the Shire, and has since been darned to heck. JRR Tolkien >>>>>>>>>>>> George Lucas. The Flanneled one has nothing on the maker of Gandalf.
Bombadil bugged me. I could ovelook a lot of trivial nuisances, but I found his whole part to be rather useless.
Boromir was awesome.
__________________ Recently Produced and Distributed Young but High-Ranking Political Figure of Royal Ancestry within the Modern American Town Affectionately Referred To as Bel-Air.
Sep 21st, 2008 07:16 PM
FER TEA!!
