Everything’s better with a lightsaber

It was mentioned by name only once in the Star Wars movies, and it was the first time we saw this elegant weapon.

The “lightsaber” was identified when Obi-Wan Kenobi gave Luke Skywalker the glowing sword of energy, as seen in this clip from Star Wars IV: A New Hope.

Over the years, technology has allowed Star Wars fans to add the glowing, colorful beams to nearly every possible iteration. And after you see a few of these… you’ll never look at a sword fight the same way.

For example, here’s what a lightsaber sword fight might look like if it appeared in the 1995 film Rob Roy. I guess Liam Neeson has no problem operating a lightsaber, especially since a few years later he’d swing one as Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

I’m telling you, if James Bond had a lightsaber at his disposal, he wouldn’t need half the gimmicks from Q to get through a normal adventure.

The Black Knight looks much more imposing with a lightsaber… although King Arthur has no problem dispatching the evil one.

Our next sword fight comes from The Princess Bride, as the six-fingered man takes on Inigo.

Even the Disney films could use a little lightsaber action, as can be seen from the 1973 adaptation of Robin Hood. Hey, one of them even has that double-bladed deal that Darth Maul used to wield.

There’s a series of YouTube clips called “Stark Wars,” in which lightsabers are introduced into the Game of Thrones universe. So does this make the Iron Islands and the spice mines of Kessel exist in the same universe?

And what if you don’t have swords … but instead duel with some other implement? Got cha covered. Now taking the court… Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal…

And finally, what if you don’t have a sword… or a tennis racket… and your only weapon happens to be a sonic screwdriver? No probs. May the force be with you, Jon Pertwee…

Thought you might enjoy a little levity as you return to work on this post-Labor Day day. Ha!