Professor Kovacs Says 'Star Wars' Saga Awakens Mythical Forces

SF STATE NEWS -- San Francisco State University Professor of Cinema and film historian Steven Kovacs said multiple factors contribute to the longstanding popularity of the original “Star Wars” movie. “It’s a very important film in terms of the special effects,” Kovacs said. “It was the first film that used the most advanced technology of the time and succeeded in creating a believable science fiction world.” “It also balanced the plot tension with a sense of humor that engaged the audience, with endearing characters like C-3PO and R2-D2, based on comic figures in Kurosawa’s “Hidden Fortress” and reminiscent of secondary characters like Sancho Panza in “Don Quixote,” he added. SF State also has a close campus connection to the soon-to-be released film — alum Chris Scarabosio is the re-recording mixer on “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”