Kids love wookiees. Comments?

Seriously, what's with that? Chewie is one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars universe - not to mention my own personal favorite. But why? It's certainly not the dialogue writing that makes these characters come to life. He doesn't say a darn thing in 4 movies that any human (except Han Solo) can understand, yet we react to his grunts and growls and howls like native Kashyyykians.

Part of it, I'd like to say, is the sound design. Ben Burtt's creature dialogue sound effects are renowned for their ability to "non-verbally" convey almost any idea as well as the full spectrum of emotions. Chewie, R2, the Jawas... I don't need subtitles to understand what "Ootini!" means. If R2 is mad or excited, C3P0 isn't the only one who knows it.

But I digress, I'm getting up on my sound design soap box here. It's obviously not all about that. After all, there is an actor in those horribly uncomfortable looking suits and prosthetics...