There is no other sound effect like it.
It is instantly recognizable.
The neon colors.
Blue for good.
Red for evil.
There are few props more iconic or beloved
than the lightsaber.
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We're going to look at three examples,
one from each trilogy.
There are three common elements found in these particular scenes
that add depth and emotional value
beyond the requisite action.
Location and presentation.
A character's rite of passage.
And the relationship between combatants.
Our first criteria is location.
A great lightsaber battle needs to look and sound epic.
If the location is monumental,
the battle itself has a chance to be equally epic.
Our second criteria - Rite of Passage.
A great lightsaber battle goes beyond winning or losing.
The best of these encounters occur during moments of great importance
in their overall character arc.
"-No!"
Our final criteria focuses on the relationship
between the combatants.
This relationship is connected
with the characters rite of passage
because who they are fighting
is often linked to why they are fighting.
"- The circle is now complete.
When I left you, I was but the learner.
Now I am the master."
We don't remember these fights for the choreography.
We remember them for the impact they have on the characters.
"- No!"
In this scene,
Luke is drawn into the carbon freezing chamber,
full of steam, darkness.
And stylized high contrast lighting of red and blue
participate in both the colors of their weapons
and their alliances to the light and dark sides of the Force.
For Luke, he is confronting the man
he believes murdered his father.
"- A young Jedi named Darth Vader,
helped the Empire hunt down
and destroy the Jedi Knights.
He betrayed and murdered your father."
And this moment marks his first test as a Jedi.
"- You have learned much, young one.
- You'll find I'm full of surprises."
Vader was led to believe his son had died
and this reunions begins his path to redemption.
"- I have no doubt this boy is the offspring of Anakin Skywalker."
- How is that possible?
- Search your feelings, Lord Vader."
The relationship between these two characters is extremely complicated.
Going in Luke is unaware of how profound his connection to Vader really is.
He enters a showdown
with only one certainty.
"- Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father.
- He told me enough!
He told me you killed it.
- No. I am your father."
The reveal of Luke's lineage,
forges a bond of Shakespearean depth.
"- No.
That's not true!
- Search your feelings. You know it to be true.
- No!"
In our next example,
let's look at a scene that marks the death of a hero
and rebirth of a villain.
Anakin and Obi-Wan's conclusive duel in "Revenge of the Sith."
There's perhaps no more allegorical or expressive location
then the lava planet of Mustafar.
The perfect location for Anakin's fated
and final submission to the dark side.
"- If you're not with me, then you're my enemy.
- Only a Sith deals in absolutes."
It's appropriate then
that this place is designed to look like hell.
Anakin's path to the dark side
began long before his clash with Obi-Wan.
Now that change is made physical.
"- It's over, Anakin.
I have the high ground.
- You're underestimate my power.
- Don't try it."
Obi-Wan leaves Anakin maimed and scorched,
allowing him to turn into the dreadful villain,
he was destined to become.
The relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan
cannot be understated.
Their complicated history stretches back to Anakin's childhood.
"- What will happen to me now?
- Council have granted me permission to train you.
You will be a Jedi,
I promise."
And both characters have an emotional investment in this fight.
"- Obi-Wan.
Promise...
Promise me you will train the boy.
- Yes, master.
- He is the chosen one.
He... will bring balance.
Train him."
No matter how much Obi-Wan plead with him.
"- You were the Chosen One!
It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them."
Anakin soul is damned.
"- I hate you!
- You were my brother, Anakin.
I loved you."
Our final example
the temporary alliance between Ray and Kylo Ren
in the throne room battle in "The Last Jedi."
The throne room is an expressive and old design.
The contrast of black and red is visually arresting.
"- Now you will give me Skywalker."
The saturated red,
blends in with the color of the guards,
making the threat that much more overwhelming
and once the battle begins
this rigid and sterile room will be turned into ashes.
"- I know what I have to do."
For Ren,
he makes a crucial decision to split with Snoke.
And carve out a completely new path for himself.
"- It's time to let old things die.
Snoke, Skywalker,
the Sith, the Jedi, the rebels.
Let it all die."
For Ray, this is the moment
she must finally choose whether or not to join Kylo Ren.
"- Rey,
I want you to join me.
We could rule together and bring a new order to the Galaxy.
- Don't do this, Ben.
Please don't go this way."
Ray and Kylo Ren's relationship is just beginning,
but there is already a deep connection.
"- Why is the Force connecting us?
You have that look in your eyes, from the forest,
and you call me a monster.
- You are a monster!
- Yes, I am."
They're not simply enemies.
They are threats to each other.
Both physically
and emotionally.
The intimacy they have shared up to this point
carries over into their battle in the throne room.
For a complete shot-by-shot breakdown of the "Throne Room Battle",
you'll find a link in the description.
Let's recap.
There are ways to make any fight scene iconic.
Beginning with these three things.
The location and presentation should be visually grandiose,
to give the fight additional weight and depth.
For at least one of the characters,
this battle should mark a rite of passage
that changes them forever.
And the relationships between the combatants
should be deeply connected.
"- So you have accepted the truth.
- I've accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father.
- That name no longer has any meaning for me."
These elements are not restricted to fantasy films like Star Wars.
They can give any fight scene cathartic value
and turn a brief moment of action
into iconic moments
that will live on forever.
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Until next time.
"- May the Force be with you.
You go on. I've said it enough.
- May the Force be with you always."