matril

I was out of town last week, but happy to be back today, on my birthday! I'm 44 and proud of it. Now let's get into some Imperial intimidation.

In the previous film, it could be argued that Tarkin and Vader were equally frightening in different ways. Both wielded tremendous power and authority, though even Vader showed some deference to Tarkin. But now that the Grand Moff has been obliterated along with his pet project, Darth Vader is the sole representation of the Empire's evil dominion. Look at him in his sphere of power. If that wasn't deliberately designed to terrify supplicants, I can't imagine what other purpose it has.

Then he's telekinetically strangling officers who aren't even in the same place as him, without so much as a gesture. It's remarkable that, with a few cuts to Vader's stoic position, we know instinctively that he is causing Ozzel's death. This image of him manages to present a visceral, gut-wrenching menace, even as he sits motionless.

Next time, some unusual inspiration from the animal kingdom...