The Force

The Force is a metaphysical energy field that envelops (and therefore originates in) the Star Wars continuum. It is the source of all power for the Jedi and the Sith, and is intimately connected to all life in that universe. Anakin Skywalker is said to have been conceived by midi-chlorians, the biological manifestation of the Force.

It can be said that the Force is the Star Wars version of 'magic,' because aside from a few pseudoscientific blips, it functions in mysterious and unknown ways, not unlike magic. It is interesting to note that the description of 'midi-chlorians' was not implemented until the prequel trilogy. There was a massive outcry from fans at the introduction of this near-science concept and there still is a deep, lingering resentment in some fans at George Lucas for making the Force less mysterious, and for creating some kind of biological marker for it&mdash;sometimes compared to the mark of a 'master race' or 'masterkind' in the continuum. As of the classic trilogy, use of the Force was more like a lost martial art or discipline rather than an innate superpower like the magic of Harry Potter.

However it works, doing stupid things with the Force in the Star Wars canon is very widespread, yet still very stupid, and destroying, modifying, or changing the Force&mdash;practically uprooting the entire Star Wars setting&mdash;is an enormous charge.