Jim Geraghty at TKS is amazed that the king of commercialization would lecture us on the evils of technology and the capitalist mindset (hat tip to the Instapundit). Indeed, everything that is wrong with the first trilogy (at least I and II) can be summarized in Lucas's decision to make the Empire arise from trade disputes. The Simpsons lampooned this mercilessly and accurately. The greatness of the first movies (well, Episode IV and V, anyway) was their allegorical pitting of good vs. evil. Darth Vader, the Dark Lord, versus the gee-whiz, everyday boy next door Luke Skywalker - it was every schoolboy's fantasy come to life.
Lucas has drained all the fun from the franchise. Too bad he didn't just turn the reins over to, say, Peter Jackson, who made his Lord of the Rings trilogy a work of genuis by reverently rendering characters, and throwing out plot points where necessary (see the great extended features on the DVDs for examples). Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, and Han Solo were people, flesh and blood, tangible and believable - now, there are no characters to speak of, just plot points to get to the next set piece. Episode III will have to be just nearly perfect to make up for what has preceded it. It'll make a ton of money, but will it live in the imagination? No one cares for intergalactic trade wars...but everyone wants to see Han Solo get the girl.
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