11 must-see things at the sprawling Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

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Set us as preferred George Lucas and Mellody Hobson want their massive spaceship of a museum to be an experience.Across 300,000 square feet and 11 acres of park space, there’s a lot to take in.

Staring up at the 90-foot-diameter oculus four stories above the entrance plaza makes one feel like a speck in the galaxy.Instead of trying to conquer everything on a first visit — there are more than 1,300 works — hit our highlights below.If you aim to walk around the striking building to view a mishmash of masterpieces, children’s illustrations, movie memorabilia that’s heavy on “Star Wars” and comic strips, you’ll have a good time.

If you’re hoping to learn about what’s on display or how adjacent pieces relate, curb your enthusiasm.It’s almost as if the museum is making a statement: you don’t need some analysis to connect with the works.

If you complain about the collection, the co-founders don’t care.“Is it fine art? It’s finer art because it’s actually telling a story,” Lucas said at a museum party last week.

Whoosh up in the glass-tube elevators to the massive fourth floor to begin.Best to explore the bulk of the galleries when your gas tank is full.

Then head up a floor to see the murals.Take a break at the rooftop Skywalker Grill before ambling to the library and grounds.

Skip the first floor’s “History of Narrative Art.” The exhibition is mostly screens, projections and reproductions, with a handful of great works from the 16th and 17th centuries and feels superficial at times.If you care about whether something is an original or a copy, check the gallery labels.

Hungry for more detail? There’s a $30 exhibition catalog in the gift shop.By discarding artistic hierarchy of any kind, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is stepping into an ongoing debate about what kind of work gets to be labeled “art.” Prepare to get your steps in and feel a little turned around on...