Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

The Rogue

Home
Religious Music & Entertainment
A TREMOR IN THE FORCE – Part 3 of 5

A TREMOR IN THE FORCE – Part 3 of 5

Last updated on: December 28, 2015 at 3:41 am by tomdurham

A TREMOR IN THE FORCE – Part 3 of 5 2015-12-28T03:41:48-06:00 tomdurham

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Mark Fordham (Vader) and the 501st with George Lucas

As we re-explore the Star Wars prequels and steel ourselves for the upcoming installments, we need to hear a grounding voice. A deep, sonorous, awe-inspiring… terrifyingly epic voice. Sith Lords are notoriously unafraid to state their opinions.

Mark Fordham is an artist, filmmaker, former cop, father of five, husband of a Stormtroopette, seasoned veteran of the 501st Alpine Garrison, and a well-known Darth Vader impersonator. Mark can be contacted through markfordham.com. And may I add here that the 501st is much more than an amazing fan and cosplay club. It is an awesome community service organization that many people (including myself) have benefitted from.

Why do you love Star Wars?

When I first saw Star Wars I connected to it because it was believable. I grew up watching Star Trek, but it was all so clean and sterile. Reactors had occasional issues and there seemed to be a recurring shortage of dilithium crystals. But it wasn’t all that compelling. In Star Wars, however, there was grease, and dirt, and weathering! The Millennium Falcon had Hodge-podge paint and bent and broken ventilation louvers. Things were faded and looked like they had been-there-and-done-that!

Mark takes off the helmet!

Beyond the look of the film were the sounds! The blasters and lightsabers, and spaceship engines and explosions! It was all so visceral! And the soundtrack was unlike anything I had ever heard before. So mighty and majestic, and hauntingly emotional at times. Then there were the effects! Ships flying without strings, plus lightsabers, light-speed…just so much to love!

Then there is the story. It had great messages and mysteries. It used an underdog, and we ALL love underdogs. It was David and Goliath on a galactic scale! And beyond the main cast, you had so many interesting aliens and lifeforms. And the droids! We can’t forget the droids. But in short, if someone asked me what I liked about Star Wars I’d probably reply, “what’s NOT to like?!”

What is your favorite Star Wars movie and why?

My favorite episode is without question The Empire Strikes Back! I’ve heard it referred to as the “adult” Star Wars, probably because it’s quite a bit darker and less hero-always-wins. We see the characters with more depth as they are thrust into complex situations. And it’s where we get to meet Yoda and really learn what the Force is all about. Once again, the soundtrack rocks! Who doesn’t know the Imperial March, right? Beyond that, we get our first glimpse of Vader under the mask, we learn of the whole ‘father’ thing, but are left wondering if it’s true. We see the Emperor for the first time (via hologram). And we get lots of time with our favorite characters and spaceships across a broad variety of landscapes. It’s just a fabulously well-done film.

Mark (as Vader) and the 501st rocking out on stage with Weird Al Yankovic.

How do you feel about the prequels?

The Fordhams in my favorite facebook profile picture of all time.

Many people are down on the prequels, especially Episode I. I actually liked Episode I! Sure, I could have done without Jar Jar. But we get to see a younger Kenobi, and Qui-Gon is great! And Darth Maul and his double bladed lightsaber filled the villain role extremely well! And the prequels are part of the story that has to be told. Honestly, I think my least favorite is Episode II. But how can you not like Episode III? That was the pinnacle of lightsaber fighting! And we had answered before our eyes the question left by all other episodes; how did the little kid grow from powerful Jedi to Lord of the Sith? Wouldn’t you know, it was over the love of a woman! The Force is strong, but I will agree that love is stronger!

How to you feel about the upcoming slate of movies?

Mark Fordham (as Vader) stealing the show!

I remain cautiously optimistic about the new films. Honestly, I’m a fan of the original trilogy. And with each new film, the cartoons, and all the Expanded Universe stuff, I see a dillution of what I grew up calling Star Wars. So though I am interested to see where the story goes, it will be yet another departure from what Star Wars really is to me. I am excited to see our old heroes again, and hope to hear more phenomenal music. But effects wise, I almost feel like it’s all been done. Maybe J. J. Abrams will break new ground. But I just don’t feel like this is going to rock the film world the way the original trilogy did. Geez, listen to me! I’m showing my age!

Still, it will put Star Wars back in the mainstream and back on the big screen. It will introduce new generations to Star Wars, and ultimately their journey will include the original movies. So I see it as all part of the bigger universe, and I guess there’s room in that universe for a lot more Star Wars!

How do you feel about the Expanded Universe, or “Legends”?

I’ve not gotten into the EU myself. As I mentioned, I feel every tangent distracts from the original movies. And I don’t feel George’s vision in some of it. There are some great characters and some interesting stories and back-stories. But since most mainstream fans aren’t exposed to it, they don’t connect to it or even recognizing it sometimes from a costuming standpoint. I’ve seen EU costumers do incredible renditions of some great costumes, but then not get the love or recognition from the fans that I think they expect and deserve.

Darth Mark, thank you for your AWESOMELY AUTHENTIC perspective.

Mark mentioned: “And with each new film, the cartoons, and all the Expanded Universe stuff, I see a dillution of what I grew up calling Star Wars.”

There is some haunting truth to this. The Sith are so good at making ominous statements!

In Episode 4, we hear from a final special guest…

Or go back to Episode 2.

Follow Tom Durham on facebook and twitter and on his website.

Previous Post

February 25, 2015

Marvel's Agent Carter: Self-Worth and Street-Cred

Next Post

February 27, 2015 A TREMOR IN THE FORCE - Part 4 of 5

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Alien Life ASMR Book Reviews Careers in Writing and Filmmaking Catholic Imagination Christmas miracles DC Trinity War Articles Ebola Faith Family Entertainment Fangirl Raves Filmmaking Geek Books Geek Comics Geek Culture Geek Entertainment Geek Gaming Geek Girl Geek Goes Catholic Geek Goes Catholic Geek Literature Geek Movies Geek Music Geek Sports Geek Tech Geek TV Ghost Bear Ramblings God's Not Dead Coverage Grace Unplugged Coverage Ham on Nye Coverage (Yeah, we went there) HWA Stuff Indie Artists Interviews Jonathan Ryan Book News Kardashians Lord of the Rings Mark Driscoll Movie Reviews Parenthood Pixie Perfect Salt Lake City Comic Con 2014 Social Issues Teen Author Boot Camp The Conjuring Coverage The Michigan Dog Man Adventures Uncategorized Writing

Select a Month November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How does Isaiah describe the suffering servant's reaction to unjust treatment?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Weeping loudly Silent as a sheep Roaring like a lion Fleeing to Egypt