2005.05.17 - Your guide to 'Star Wars' past and present

Your guide to 'Star Wars' past and present May 12, 2005 By JOE GUY COLLIER FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Get ready for the dark side. Twenty-eight years ago, Star Wars creator George Lucas introduced fans to the good side of a mystical power called the Force. In the original movie, now known as "Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope," farmboy Luke Skywalker uses the Force to rise from obscurity and save the galaxy from the evil Darth Vader. The story comes full circle with the May 19 release of "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith." Ending where the original started, this movie fills the middle of a six-film series. If the original movie was a story of goodness rising up, the latest movie is the story of evil taking hold. As Lucas himself put it, this is "the Darth Vader story."

Know your 'Star Wars' terminology

The Force: A mystical power that connects everything together.

Jedi: A noble group of skilled fighters who use their knowledge of the Force to preserve peace in the galaxy.

Sith: A set of rogue Jedi who use the dark side of the Force for personal gain.

Lightsaber: An energy sword that can cut through almost anything except another lightsaber.

The Republic: A once-peaceful galactic governing body that becomes compromised by corrupt politicians.

The Empire: A tyrannical regime that supplants the Republic and is driven by the dark side.

Famous quotes

The five previous "Stars Wars" movies have provided many memorable lines. Some of the best:

"Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope." - Princess Leia in "Episode IV -- A New Hope"

"Use the Force, Luke. Let go." - Obi-Wan Kenobi in "Episode IV -- A New Hope"

"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda in "Episode V -- The Empire Strikes Back."

"I am your father." - Darth Vader in "Episode V -- The Empire Strikes Back."

"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate; hate leads to suffering." - Yoda in "Episode 1 -- The Phantom Menace."

"Someday, I will be the most powerful Jedi ever." - Anakin Skywalker in "Episode II -- Attack of the Clones."

GLOSSARY FOR THIS UNIT

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