The Best Star Wars Lego Corporate Response Ever

[Mr 9.8]

This is the best thing I've read all week & it's only Tuesday!

 

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/01/10/best-star-wars-lego-corporate-response-ever/

 

From: Ross Mills

 

To those responsible for choosing the toys they wish to sell at the Early Learning Centre, as well as in-store advertising.

 

I was recently walking past the Dundee Early Learning Centre, and was shocked and disgusted to see an advert for Star Wars toys, prominently featuring the characters Yoda and Anakin Skywalker as positive figures.

 

Personally, I could not be more shocked. I thought the Early Learning Centre was a place for positive reinforcement of positive actions for children, but yet, here it was, actively promoting one of the most evil characters in the Star Wars universe. Anakin Skywalker.

 

Now, I am aware that Anakin was not always evil, and was in-fact an innocent in Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace, however, I wish to press on you the severity of his actions starting upon joining the Jedi Order as a Padawan:

 

* Consistent and flagrantly ignoring the rules, orders and limits set on him by his Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

* Killing an entire tribe of sand-people on Tatooine

* Killing the unarmed Count Dooku

* Cutting the arm off a Jedi Knight, Mace Windu. (Need I remind you that the Jedi

Knights are the PROTECTORS of peace and justice throughout the Star Wars saga?)

* Pledging himself to the Dark Side of the force, an organisation based on the teachings of the Sith, involving Brutality, Fear, Anger, and Hatred, including severe humanistic racism when they came into power forming the Empire

* Acted as the right-hand of the Sith Emperor

* Choked his wife using the power of the Force, nearly killing her and undeniably an act which eventually led to her death.

* Attempted killing of Jedi Knight and Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

 

And, last of all, and the most important

 

* The massacre of an entire school of young Jedi Children.

 

Now, I ask you, how can you sell such toys, promoting such individuals, in your establishment?

 

Sincerely, Ross Mills

 

 

Here is the response.

 

Dear Mr Mills

 

As an avid Star Wars fan myself I can relate to your points below and see the perspective that Anakin Skywalker (in his teenage years onwards) is by no means a ‘positive’ role model, nor is he intended to be represented as such.

 

We sell a wide range of characters from the Star Wars universe, including stormtroopers, scout troopers, Commander Cody and so forth. With particular reference to the two former characters both are generally considered to be ‘bad’ and unlike Anakin have had no periods of being ‘good’ or ‘redemption’ and are provided to give the ‘good guys’ someone to triumph over. While ideally the Jedi Council would have no enemies and would sit in their chambers sipping Bothan rum, it’s not particularly interesting for a small child (unless of course they wish to populate their ‘tea parties’ with Star Wars characters in which case we fully endorse this!)

 

For a child to fully immerse themselves in the Star Wars products we sell I would hesitate a guess that said child is a fan of the Clone Wars cartoon series (the prequels and sequels being of an age most would agree is unsuitable for the age range we cater for). In this series Anakin is very much portrayed as a force of good, and our aim is to provide fans of the series with both heroes and villains so they can replay the epic battles of the show in the comfort of their own home.

 

It’s unlikely that children of that age have seen any of the Star Wars films, however if they have I beg to offer the following counterpoints to ‘the sins of Anakin’

 

* Anakin loved his mother a great deal and always treated her with respect

* Rescued his master several times from assassins, pit monsters, droid troopers etc.

* Rescued Amidalla from assassin snakes, pit monsters, the Trade Federation and even found time to romance her in the fields of Naboo

* Built C3PO

* Won the Podrace

* Killed the evil emperor to save his son

* I would also argue that if a child has seen all the films they’ll see Anakin as a hero who went wrong but ultimately paid the supreme sacrifice to atone for his sins.

 

There may be better role models out there for a child, but for the period our toys are aimed at (the Clone Wars), Anakin remains very much ‘hero material’ and is a popular and welcome addition to our range.

 

Kind regards,

Paul ********

Client Support Manager

The Early Learning Centre

[mysterio]

That's fantastic.

[Wrightson fan]

Talk about too much time and something about ones hands.....

[Columbia Comics]

Talk about too much time and something about ones hands.....

 

+1 definitely!

[OV]

That's awesome, thanks for posting!

[AtlasFan]

...and dont forget all those folks on Alderan!

 

It does bother me that Anakin is portrayed as a "good guy" in the Clone War stories. It sends a mixed message to kids about good and evil.

 

I never understood why Lucas chose to develop vehicles for the prequel characters instead of developing the further adventures of 100% good guys: Luke, Leia, & Han.

 

Playing with an Anakin (pre-dark side) toy would be like playing with a pre-1939 Hitler doll and saying: "well, its ok because this doll portrays the character before he started WW2 and committed all that genocide".

[Ringfinger]

Can't be real.

[Freeballin523]

Playing with an Anakin (pre-dark side) toy would be like playing with a pre-1939 Hitler doll and saying: "well, its ok because this doll portrays the character before he started WW2 and committed all that genocide".

 

You cant be serious.....

[Shadow]

Love it. Great response

[The Troll King]

Playing with an Anakin (pre-dark side) toy would be like playing with a pre-1939 Hitler doll and saying: "well, its ok because this doll portrays the character before he started WW2 and committed all that genocide".

 

You cant be serious.....

 

I believe it to be a fair comparison. Just looking at the movie history alone and not the books or extended universe, Anakin would have been responsible for, or at least in a position to prevent, the deaths of millions of lifeforms.

 

Whether it's Alderaan, Ewoks, or whatever. The Empire is very closely modeled after the SS anyway. The uniforms, the "stormtroopers", the large assemblies of same perfectly lined up. Comparing the Emperor and Darth Vader to the Third Reich is not a stretch at all specifically because it was intended to resemble such.

[Snake Eyes]

...and dont forget all those folks on Alderan!

 

It does bother me that Anakin is portrayed as a "good guy" in the Clone War stories. It sends a mixed message to kids about good and evil.

 

I never understood why Lucas chose to develop vehicles for the prequel characters instead of developing the further adventures of 100% good guys: Luke, Leia, & Han.

 

Playing with an Anakin (pre-dark side) toy would be like playing with a pre-1939 Hitler doll and saying: "well, its ok because this doll portrays the character before he started WW2 and committed all that genocide".

 

And sixth post in the thread links it all back to a completely analagous Hitler reference...excellent work!

 

[The Troll King]

...and dont forget all those folks on Alderan!

 

It does bother me that Anakin is portrayed as a "good guy" in the Clone War stories. It sends a mixed message to kids about good and evil.

 

I never understood why Lucas chose to develop vehicles for the prequel characters instead of developing the further adventures of 100% good guys: Luke, Leia, & Han.

 

Playing with an Anakin (pre-dark side) toy would be like playing with a pre-1939 Hitler doll and saying: "well, its ok because this doll portrays the character before he started WW2 and committed all that genocide".

 

And sixth post in the thread links it all back to a completely analagous Hitler reference...excellent work!

 

 

Read what I posted. The Third Reich references are there whether anyone likes it or not. That was what George intended when me made Star Wars to begin with. It is an "Empire" afterall.

[Snake Eyes]

Playing with an Anakin (pre-dark side) toy would be like playing with a pre-1939 Hitler doll and saying: "well, its ok because this doll portrays the character before he started WW2 and committed all that genocide".

 

You cant be serious.....

 

I believe it to be a fair comparison. Just looking at the movie history alone and not the books or extended universe, Anakin would have been responsible for, or at least in a position to prevent, the deaths of millions of lifeforms.

 

Whether it's Alderaan, Ewoks, or whatever. The Empire is very closely modeled after the SS anyway. The uniforms, the "stormtroopers", the large assemblies of same perfectly lined up. Comparing the Emperor and Darth Vader to the Third Reich is not a stretch at all specifically because it was intended to resemble such.

 

But we are talking about the extended universe and the context of the toys themselves are we not? Sorry but Clone Wars Anakin in Poncho does not equal High School Hitler with Painting Gear :shrug:

[The Troll King]

Playing with an Anakin (pre-dark side) toy would be like playing with a pre-1939 Hitler doll and saying: "well, its ok because this doll portrays the character before he started WW2 and committed all that genocide".

 

You cant be serious.....

 

I believe it to be a fair comparison. Just looking at the movie history alone and not the books or extended universe, Anakin would have been responsible for, or at least in a position to prevent, the deaths of millions of lifeforms.

 

Whether it's Alderaan, Ewoks, or whatever. The Empire is very closely modeled after the SS anyway. The uniforms, the "stormtroopers", the large assemblies of same perfectly lined up. Comparing the Emperor and Darth Vader to the Third Reich is not a stretch at all specifically because it was intended to resemble such.

 

But we are talking about the extended universe and the context of the toys themselves are we not? Sorry but Clone Wars Anakin in Poncho does not equal High School Hitler with Painting Gear :shrug:

 

Well, even so, eventually the Clone Wars saga blends into the original movies. One begat the other remember? You just have to remember in which order. The "bad guy" story begat the "good guy" story before he was "bad".

 

People aren't born bad, life events and upbringing make them that way. Adolph Hitler was probably just as cute a baby as anyone else.

[Snake Eyes]

Playing with an Anakin (pre-dark side) toy would be like playing with a pre-1939 Hitler doll and saying: "well, its ok because this doll portrays the character before he started WW2 and committed all that genocide".

 

You cant be serious.....

 

I believe it to be a fair comparison. Just looking at the movie history alone and not the books or extended universe, Anakin would have been responsible for, or at least in a position to prevent, the deaths of millions of lifeforms.

 

Whether it's Alderaan, Ewoks, or whatever. The Empire is very closely modeled after the SS anyway. The uniforms, the "stormtroopers", the large assemblies of same perfectly lined up. Comparing the Emperor and Darth Vader to the Third Reich is not a stretch at all specifically because it was intended to resemble such.

 

But we are talking about the extended universe and the context of the toys themselves are we not? Sorry but Clone Wars Anakin in Poncho does not equal High School Hitler with Painting Gear :shrug:

 

Well, even so, eventually the Clone Wars saga blends into the original movies. One begat the other remember? You just have to remember in which order. The "bad guy" story begat the "good guy" story before he was "bad".

 

People aren't born bad, life events and upbringing make them that way. Adolph Hitler was probably just as cute a baby as anyone else.

 

This is probably true...but despite the similarities (and yes I agree, Lucas went SS/Roman Empire for sourcing) we are talking toys and honestly I see I big difference in Nonfiction/History versus Fiction that attempts to incorporate themes learned/experienced through history. For example, GI Joe and Cobra toys I have no problem with a child playing with. Equivalent toys/molds for real life terrorist action figures being sold at the local Toys R Us, and I see a problem.

 

Sorry, just can't get on board with the equivalency argument :shrug:

 

 

[The Troll King]

Playing with an Anakin (pre-dark side) toy would be like playing with a pre-1939 Hitler doll and saying: "well, its ok because this doll portrays the character before he started WW2 and committed all that genocide".

 

You cant be serious.....

 

I believe it to be a fair comparison. Just looking at the movie history alone and not the books or extended universe, Anakin would have been responsible for, or at least in a position to prevent, the deaths of millions of lifeforms.

 

Whether it's Alderaan, Ewoks, or whatever. The Empire is very closely modeled after the SS anyway. The uniforms, the "stormtroopers", the large assemblies of same perfectly lined up. Comparing the Emperor and Darth Vader to the Third Reich is not a stretch at all specifically because it was intended to resemble such.

 

But we are talking about the extended universe and the context of the toys themselves are we not? Sorry but Clone Wars Anakin in Poncho does not equal High School Hitler with Painting Gear :shrug:

 

Well, even so, eventually the Clone Wars saga blends into the original movies. One begat the other remember? You just have to remember in which order. The "bad guy" story begat the "good guy" story before he was "bad".

 

People aren't born bad, life events and upbringing make them that way. Adolph Hitler was probably just as cute a baby as anyone else.

 

This is probably true...but despite the similarities (and yes I agree, Lucas went SS/Roman Empire for sourcing) we are talking toys and honestly I see I big difference in Nonfiction/History versus Fiction that attempts to incorporate themes learned/experienced through history. For example, GI Joe and Cobra toys I have no problem with a child playing with. Equivalent toys/molds for real life terrorist action figures being sold at the local Toys R Us, and I see a problem.

 

Sorry, just can't get on board with the equivalency argument :shrug:

 

 

Well I agree, to a certain extent. I also agree that the Hitler reference isn't really that far of a stretch simply because of the source material and what was created. Most children aren't old enough to have learned of these types of references and really only care that one *human shaped piece of plastic* can win over the other *human shaped piece of plastic*. Then again, with today's way of thinking we can't have any "winners" can we? We wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

 

Also remember, the old GI Joe cartoons, no one ever died, it was all parachutes and stunning "lasers" (thumbs u

[Fedoraman]

Can't be real.

 

+1

[AtlasFan]

Playing with an Anakin (pre-dark side) toy would be like playing with a pre-1939 Hitler doll and saying: "well, its ok because this doll portrays the character before he started WW2 and committed all that genocide".

 

You cant be serious.....

 

I believe it to be a fair comparison. Just looking at the movie history alone and not the books or extended universe, Anakin would have been responsible for, or at least in a position to prevent, the deaths of millions of lifeforms.

 

Whether it's Alderaan, Ewoks, or whatever. The Empire is very closely modeled after the SS anyway. The uniforms, the "stormtroopers", the large assemblies of same perfectly lined up. Comparing the Emperor and Darth Vader to the Third Reich is not a stretch at all specifically because it was intended to resemble such.

 

But we are talking about the extended universe and the context of the toys themselves are we not? Sorry but Clone Wars Anakin in Poncho does not equal High School Hitler with Painting Gear :shrug:

 

Explain to me what the difference is...

[Snake Eyes]

Playing with an Anakin (pre-dark side) toy would be like playing with a pre-1939 Hitler doll and saying: "well, its ok because this doll portrays the character before he started WW2 and committed all that genocide".

 

You cant be serious.....

 

I believe it to be a fair comparison. Just looking at the movie history alone and not the books or extended universe, Anakin would have been responsible for, or at least in a position to prevent, the deaths of millions of lifeforms.

 

Whether it's Alderaan, Ewoks, or whatever. The Empire is very closely modeled after the SS anyway. The uniforms, the "stormtroopers", the large assemblies of same perfectly lined up. Comparing the Emperor and Darth Vader to the Third Reich is not a stretch at all specifically because it was intended to resemble such.

 

But we are talking about the extended universe and the context of the toys themselves are we not? Sorry but Clone Wars Anakin in Poncho does not equal High School Hitler with Painting Gear :shrug:

 

Well, even so, eventually the Clone Wars saga blends into the original movies. One begat the other remember? You just have to remember in which order. The "bad guy" story begat the "good guy" story before he was "bad".

 

People aren't born bad, life events and upbringing make them that way. Adolph Hitler was probably just as cute a baby as anyone else.

 

This is probably true...but despite the similarities (and yes I agree, Lucas went SS/Roman Empire for sourcing) we are talking toys and honestly I see I big difference in Nonfiction/History versus Fiction that attempts to incorporate themes learned/experienced through history. For example, GI Joe and Cobra toys I have no problem with a child playing with. Equivalent toys/molds for real life terrorist action figures being sold at the local Toys R Us, and I see a problem.

 

Sorry, just can't get on board with the equivalency argument :shrug:

 

 

Well I agree, to a certain extent. I also agree that the Hitler reference isn't really that far of a stretch simply because of the source material and what was created. Most children aren't old enough to have learned of these types of references and really only care that one *human shaped piece of plastic* and win over the other *human shaped piece of plastic*. Then again, with today's way of thinking we can't have any "winners" can we? We wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

 

Also remember, the old GI Joe cartoons, no one ever died, it was all parachutes and stunning "lasers" (thumbs u

 

Yeah, the whole everyone is a winner thing grates on me as well.

 

Here is my other point (blunted since I am still recovering from festivities last night). Since the Clone Wars cartoon was extended to the whole canon of Star Wars and blended to the movies by your argument, we must do the same with G.I. Joe. Specifically, numerous characters died in the comic books and the more recent cartoon iterations have also included character deaths

 

However, and to answer the post above about what the difference is...one is real, the other fiction. Others can reimagine Anakin's story or things can be retconned with GI Joe. With real life historical figures we are dealing with REAL events that have a substantially greater impact on us (in my opinion). And comparing a child playing with a Clone Wars Anakin toy to a Hitler toy is well beyond comparing apples/oranges in my view.

[seanfingh]

 

Godwin's Law . . .