Star Wars on Trial: The Force Awakens Edition

Order in the Court! Star Wars: the most significant, powerful myth of the twenty-first century or morally bankrupt military fantasy? Six films. Countless books. $20 billion in revenue. No one can question the financial value or cultural impact of the Star Wars film franchise. But has the impact been for the good? In Star Wars on Trial's courtroom, Droid Judge presiding, Star Wars stands accused of elitist politics and sexism, religious and ethical lapses, the destruction of literary science fiction and science fiction film, and numerous plot holes and logical gaps. Supported by a witness list of bestselling science fiction authors, David Brin (for the prosecution) and Matthew Woodring Stover (for the defense) debate these charges and more before delivering their closing statements. The verdict? That's up to you. The release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the perfect time to look back at George Lucas crimes, and new introductions by Brin and Stover discuss the newest generation of Star Wars films and what JJ Abrams must do to live up to or redeemthe franchise.

David Brin's 16 novels include Existence, Earth, Startide Rising, and The Postman, which was filmed in 1998. He is recipient of three Hugo Awards and a Nebula. His nonfiction book The Transparent Society won the ALA Freedom of Speech Award. Matthew Woodring Stover is the author of the film novelization Stars Wars: Revenge of the Sith, as well as Blade of Tyshalle and Star Wars: Shatterpoint.