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Neville's avatar

It's mind-blowing to ponder on how Mifune could have brought a different perspective to either Obi-Wan or Vader. I am imagining an alternate universe of Japanese nobility. The duel between them remains one of the best in the series mainly because it has a slower, more artful style of combat, with the lightsaber blows carrying real weight like each swing could deliver a coup de grâce.

Although I'm afraid I can't help at all on the question of inspiring your children to love Star Wars as you do as I am also failing in this mission. The lure of faster, jazzier stories like the K Pop Demon Hunters can't be infringed although I have tried to explain they follow the same heroes' path as young Skywalker!

Christopher Harding's avatar

Thank you! I think you have helped, in fact: I hadn't thought of taking something like K-Pop Demon Hunters as a way in, for my children.

The pace problem is difficult, though, isn't it. I've been re-watching Nineties/Noughties films with my children, now and again, and they all seem so much more ponderous than I remember.

Neville's avatar

I think also that the K-Pop Demon Hunters serve as a way to explore the Korean mythology around their Muism shamanic rites and in turn links to the Japanese Kami. The K Pop songs are no different to traditional prayers to the spirits. Before you know it your children will know more on far Eastern spiritualism than you!

But I agree the pacing of the films of the 90s is difficult to cross. Even the Star Wars prequel trilogy spent a lot of time on plot exposition and building the universe. I was quite sad mine haven't gotten into Jurassic Park either. The more recent versions won out. Still I hold up hope we'll go back to these as they get older.

Christopher Harding's avatar

Hi Neville, I'm sorry for the late reply here. I've been away. You've persuaded me to give K-Pop Demon Hunters a try!

Pop songs as prayers is a wonderful thought...

Neville's avatar

Hi Christopher, Let us know what you think. Or more importantly if it passes the taste test for your children!

Juan Carlos Boutellier's avatar

I still remember how fascinated I was by Obi-Wan and his aura, more than with any other character. I did not discover Japanese cinema until much later, so I could not have imagined Mifune playing Obi-Wan. I love Mifune, but Sir Alec will forever be the Jedi Master.

Christopher Harding's avatar

Totally agree. I was always slightly confused seeing Alec Guinness in any other role, after seeing him in Star Wars - he was so completely THAT character, in my memory.

Francis Turner's avatar

Mifune as Obi Wan Kenobi.... some of the lines e.g. "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy." would be so different with him saying them.

PS https://meme.aho.st/ask-yourself-this-question/

Christopher Harding's avatar

Someone should get AI on the case, and offer us the performance we never saw. Possibly some copyright complications there, I suppose...!