Star Wars Episode III Poster Art - P 2012
Although many fans consider 2005’s Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith the best installment of the divisive Star Wars prequel trilogy, does it really rank among an Egyptian tomb or the great American novel as a work of art?
Noted art critic Camille Paglia makes that claim in her book Glittering Images, calling George Lucas’ final Star Wars film the greatest work of art of the past 30 years. She spoke about her assertion in an interview with Vice.
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“The long finale of Revenge of the Sith has more inherent artistic value, emotional power and global impact than anything by the artists you name,” she said. “It’s because the art world has flat-lined and become an echo chamber of received opinion and toxic over-praise. It’s like the emperor’s new clothes — people are too intimidated to admit what they secretly think or what they might think with their blinders off.”
Paglia has been known to court controversy for saying things such as she doesn’t like lesbians (Paglia is gay) and advocating for the legalization of drugs and prostitution.
Her book traces the key moments in Western art from the Egyptians to modern times. She said when choosing something to represent the digital art section, she considered using Japanese anime but concluded that “it lacked the overwhelming operatic power and, yes, seriousness of Lucas’ Revenge of the Sith.”
Star Wars: Episode VII is currently slated for a 2015 release with writer Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine) tackling the script. Perhaps Paglia will have new reason to sing the praises of a galaxy far, far away.
