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Unarmed: UGO's Top 11 Dismemberments

The most pervasive theme in that galaxy far, far away is not about freedom from an intergalactic dictator. It's about getting out alive with all of your limbs intact.

UGO Team By UGO Team June 2, 2010
  

With the release of Revenge of the Sith, George Lucas has finally finished the Star Wars saga that he began over twenty years ago. The films have etched a permanent place in popular culture and have even invaded the English language itself with expressions like "the Dark Side," "May the Force be with you," and even "meesa no have a booma!" Hidden in the fortress of Lucas' saga is a bastion of many themes: the sins of the father being visited on the son, Zen mysticism, good vs. evil, an intergalactically dysfunctional family, and even a modernization of Akira Kurosawa. But after watching Revenge of the Sith for the umpteenth time, we at UGO have concluded that there is only one true theme in Star Wars:

Dismemberment.

Darth Maul Gets Mauled

Dismemberment #11
Movie: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Assailant: Obi-Wan Kenobi
Victim: Darth Maul
Instrument: Jedi Lightsaber
Dismemberment in Question: Torso

The first dismemberment in the saga was the subject of controversy and happened so quickly it required multiple viewings to spot. After a watching Qui-Gonn Jinn get turned into a pin cushion by Darth Maul's double-bladed lightsaber, Obi-Wan Kenobi cut the Dark Lord in half at his waist, sending him tumbling down a ventilation shaft in two pieces. Many fans of Maul were saddened to see him die in such an ignominious fashion, and though there were rumors of him being cloned, they did not pan out. This forever dashed what little hope there was of seeing Darth Maul and Darth Vader duel for the Emperor's love. Darth Maul lives on in our imagination, usually turning Jar Jar Binks into sushi.

C-3PO
C-3PO Credit: Twentieth Century Fox

C-3PO Sets Precedent

Dismemberment #10
Movie: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Assailant: Automated Droid Creation
Victim: C-3PO
Instrument: Welding torch
Dismemberment in Question: Head

The first of many dismemberments for the golden protocol droid, Threepio lost his head in a sudden turn of events after being pushed onto a conveyor belt by his "friend," Astromech R2-D2. Hilarity ensued after Threepio's vocal synthesis unit was hijacked by a Battle Droid's main chassis, and he opened fire on the Knights of the Old Republic with the line, "Die Jedi dog!" Say what you must about Episode I and II, but this was one of the prequels' few truly comedic moments.

Jango Fett
Jango Fett Credit: Twentieth Century Fox

Don't Underestimate The Purple Lightsaber

Dismemberment #9
Movie: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Assailant: Mace Windu
Victim: Jango Fett
Instrument: Jedi Lightsaber
Dismemberment in Question: Head

A sudden and shocking decapitation in the coliseum on Geonosis in the midst of an execution gone wrong, Jango Fett sadly underestimated the power and technique of Mace Windu after firing off a few errant blaster shots. A swift slice to the neck ended the life of the original clone, leaving his only clone-son Boba Fett to hold his father’s helmet and take up the mantle of being an intergalactic bounty hunter. Sadly for Boba, he could never exact revenge on Mace Windu, but at least he has the soft, warm innards of the Tattooine Sarlacc to keep him company.

See More: World of Tomorrow | Extras | Star Wars | Dismemberment | lightsabers | C-3PO | Jango Fett | Mace Windu