The upcoming release of Star Wars on blu-ray” got me thinking about this wistful feature…
The Millennium Falcon sweeps in, piloted by Han Solo. The Death Star explodes with a blinding flash. Millions of fans emerge from the theatres of America forever hooked. When the original Star Wars or as hard-core fans call it “A New Hope” hit theatres in 1977 I was only 2 years old. That feels like a long time ago in a gaIaxy far far away. I’ve never known a world with out Star Wars. All these years later I still get a buzz when the X-Wings first approach that giant space station or Luke Skywalker faces down Darth Vader.
The imminent release of Episode III, Revenge of the Sith will signal the end of an era. Can it really have been over 25 years since my mother first introduced me to the wonderful world of George Lucas’ imagination? She came home one day and handed me two Star Wars action figures. I ripped open the packaging, tossing aside the Hot Wheels I had been racing around the kitchen floor. A lasting relationship began that day. I played with R2-D2 and C-3PO until they fell apart. Not long after I saw the film for the first time. I was still too young to get much out of it but I loved every second.
Then in 1980, in one of those perfect memories that last forever, I went to see The Empire Strikes Back with my dad. The end of the movie blew me away when Darth Vader told Luke, “I am your father.” We left the theatre and I wondered what secrets my own dad kept from me.
For the next few years I pondered the teachings of Yoda, the all knowing muppet like jedi master. By the time Return of the Jedi opened in 1983 I was a full on Star Wars nut. I had joined the fan club and amassed an unhealthy amount of toys. My room was covered in posters and even Star Wars wallpaper. Christmas pictures from those years always show me opening some new space ship or play set, most of which I later passed down, like family heirlooms, to my nephew.
Mom took me to the theatre this time, braving incredibly long lines for a movie she didn’t care all that much about. I distinctly remember fans cheering when Darth Vader first appeared on screen.
Some might call me obsessed but for a kid who liked to keep to himself the movies offered a world to get lost in. I believe that an interest in Stars Wars led to my love of books and writing. It provided a start, a jumping off point for a little kid to begin creating his own adventures. I’d head down to my basement and spend hours inventing my own stories for the heroes and villains of Star Wars. It’s not a stretch to connect seeing those films at an early age and later picking up a copy of Jack Kerouac’s On The Road.
Of course, I am not alone and far from unique. The ancient story arc reinforced for a couple of generations myths that have long been a part of man’s culture. These movies are a touchstone for people all over the world. So the excitement of this newest movie is tempered a bit by the fact that it heralds the end of the series. Sure there are comic books, novels and maybe even a television show to follow but for me the movies are where it’s at.
Few people cross my path who have not seen Star Wars. All of my friends are huge fans. It became a part of their lives early on. If put up to it we could probably quote the entire original trilogy of films. Like the Red Sox or the Patriots, Star Wars gives guys something to talk about.
My college roommate Mike, who lives in Attleboro calls Star Wars the, “very definition of my childhood experience.” He loves the complexity of the films. Their “multilayered” and “character driven” story strike a cord with kids. George Lucas shoots for something more than the big budget action adventure films that fill up the summer movie schedule.
My boss has been telling me for years, “I just want to live long enough to see the final Star Wars movie.” Of course, he also quotes Yoda, saying things like, “Do or do not, there is no try.” You can’t overestimated the effect of these films on people’s lives.
To call a guy aged 18-40 a Star Wars fan reeks of redundancy. In college I took a class called Avant-Garde, Self Reflexive Film. Despite the complicated nature of the course most of the time the professor used Star Wars to illustrate technique. It was assumed that everyone had seen the film.
For a couple of years now fans have waited for the final installment, piecing together the story line from rumors and interviews. More web-sites than there are stars in the universe are devoted to Star Wars fandom. I followed a link on theforce.net to find the “Rhode Squadron,” a fan club for southeast New Englanders. The chapter representative, Edward Beland put it best saying that Star Wars, “taught many to dream.” For him Revenge of the Sith provides one last chance to go back to childhood.
We all knew this day would come. For 17 years after Return of The Jedi people waited for the next Star Wars movie. The re-release of the originals in the 1990’s wet our appetites but fans longed for the prequels. For my friend Brian this last movie “brings closure to everything.” The Empire Strikes Back , was “the first movie with live actors” that he liked. It replaced cartoons. He grew up with these movies.
So far the new movies have lacked the impact of the the first trilogy of films. Critics attacked them. Say what you want about about Jar Jar Binks, the much maligned character from The Phantom Menace, but he helped bring Star Wars to yet another generation of kids. Most early reviews of Revenge of the Sith are positive. This is film fans of have been waiting for.
Until I took on this assignment I never really considered the impact of Star Wars on my life. When I sit down in the theatre and that familiar opening crawl begins to roll I will be a little sad like a kid who has grown too old for summer camp.
Sitting next to my father at The Empire Strikes Back, an entire life waited for me. Ten years from then dad would pass away. Later I’d head off to college, meet the woman I’d marry and be blessed with a son. Life goes on but Star Wars always brings me back to simpler days. But now is not the time for such deep thoughts. Spark up the light sabers. Let’s have some fun.
I am going to be seeing the movie just a little bit early, having scored a ticket to an advance screening. Why wait? I am ready to blast off one more time. This is the last chance for anyone to sit in a movie theatre and experience a brand new Star Wars film. Revenge of the Sith marks a passing. After almost 30 years fans will finally know the whole story. As Darth Vader once said, “the circle is now complete.”
This feature originally appeared in The Sun Chronicle
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My 5 yr old saw Star Wars for the first time about a week ago. Now he’s hooked. I watched it with him one day last week, and was surprised how well that film stands the test of time!