Discussing
Myth, Masks and Star Wars: The Force Awakens

What can the extensive use of masks in Star Wars: The Force Awakens tell us about the veils we all wear?

I read this only hours before I saw the movie at an opening night screening. It really enhanced my viewing (many thanks for the vagueness and no spoilers). There's little not to love about this latest entry to the franchise--arguably the best-executed one to-date, I think--but one thing I did find especially interesting is how this idea of masking has played even into the marketing of the film. It's been abundantly clear that the trailers were designed to misdirect audience anticipation about key elements in the storyline such that when they're played out on screen (and I won't mention any details out of courtesy to those who didn't brave the lines for a midnight screening), you're like "whoa...didn't see that coming." The idea of who the good and bad guys are--and how they're often not who they seem to be--has been a major motif of the whole franchise, and this one really enhances it with the masks.

In Reply to JKana (comment #27721)
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I'm relieved to hear I didn't spoil anything for you, Johnathan! Thanks for chiming in.

I am about to go to the matinee of Awakens with my daughter, and am nostalgic in remembering the first movie. I saw it in May 1977 at the Coronet Theater on Geary Street in San Francisco. That was a movie palace and thoroughly suited to the opening scenes of what later came to be known as Episode One, A New Hope. My thoughts on the hope found in the Star Wars story: https://timfall.wordpress.com/2015/12/18/star-wars-awakening-a-new-hope/

In Reply to Tim (comment #27724)
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I meant Episode Four, of course, not One. Sheesh!