What creates the aesthetic of Star Wars?

I think SW has a "lived-in" feel more than most Sci Fi. For example, the Millennium Falcon looks to most in-universe characters as a "hunk o' junk," and Han and Chewie work on it like a couple of grease monkeys would work on a dodgy old engine. But to us, it would be a miracle of science. That doesn't necessarily mean "dark" or "gritty" (common modern film tropes), just natural or routine. Now contrast that with Trek, which always felt sanitized to me.

 

I think @WedgeSalad summed it up rather well. The Star Wars Universe is the universe in which some of the most respected things can (in the universe) be no greater than my old truck was in real life. Lived-in, used, repaired, and somewhat dilapidated... but still of purpose. Even the things that could be considered sterile seem to be so for a purpose, mainly that they are kept simplistic due to a military role, like star destroyer bridges.

Partially this is why some folk don't like the PT as much, as it lost some of the "lived-in" feel in favor of flashy new vehicles/settings and luxurious adornments. It just seemed a bit too new and shiny to be Star Wars.

 

I very much agree with both John's and Wedge's post. The Star Wars universe did have that gritty and lived in look which actually made the people and objects seem more realistic and relatable. It was often seen in the little details like the sand and dirt on a Sandtropers armor, the weathering on an X-Wing, or the filth and grime of Dagobah. A lot of the costumes, props, and ships in the OT had designs that seemed to be more purpose driven and were not just meant to be flashy. I do feel its that element which sets Star Wars apart from a lot of other space related science fiction. I know because I grew up with the OT I'm biased and I've said in other posts that the PT were good movies but they never "felt" like Star Wars to me. I think a lot of that has to do with them being very crisp, clear, glitzy, and showy movies that relied a lot on special effects and sleek, cool looking eye candy.

 

Mostly water. Whiskey, a little pepper, oil of cloves, ginger root and a dozen snake heads, to give it strength.

The real reason Star Wars works is that it immerses us in a totally alien, foreign universe where even the laws of physics no longer apply, but yet the basic human values of love, compassion and family still ring true.

This juxtaposition allows the artist to demonstrate what matters to us most and what lasts forever. Even in a time and place totally foreign to our own, we come to know and love what Luke, Han and Leia are fighting for.