A long time ago, in a theater far, far away I fell in love
with a film series that would somehow consume my life.
Sure, I was two when the first ‘Star Wars’ movie came out –
later to be renamed ‘A New Hope’ – but I still fell in love with the original
trilogy. I had Star Wars everything – toys, sheets, Halloween costumes,
slippers, etc. In fact, my Grandma made me an R2D2 cake every year for my
birthday.
Star Wars wasn’t just a movie for me, though, it was a
lifestyle.
‘The Empire Strikes Back’ was the first ‘Star Wars’ movie I
saw on the big screen – and I made my mom take me multiple times. So many
times, in fact, that she had her own rebellion and made me stop at six. I tried
to squash that rebellion like I was the Emperor himself – but my fate was much
the same as his.
Then, when ‘Return of the Jedi’ came out – I was in fourth
grade and the obsession really took hold. Yes, I even loved the Ewoks. When I
went to Disney World that year, I didn’t get any plush Disney stuffed animal –
I immediately was drawn to Wicket on the stand.
I was not one of those little girls who wanted a Cabbage
Patch Kid or to dress up Barbie dolls. In fact, during all that Cabbage Patch
hoopla – I got the Millenium Falcon and scoffed at all the girls carrying those
ugly little dolls around.
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Part of my office |
Instead of pretending to mother those horrific things and
brush their yarn hair, I was off liberating the galaxy and making it safe for
rebel scum everywhere.
Do you think I’m obsessed? Yeah, it’s a little sad.
The truth is, my obsession still continues to this day.
Sure, I’ve added ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Harry Potter’ into the mix – but my
house is still a ‘Star Wars’ home.
Between cookie jars, board games, messenger bags, earrings,
hats and more T-shirts and hoodies than I can even name – my ‘Star Wars’
infatuation has really taken on a life of its own. If ‘Star Wars’ was alcohol
or drugs, someone would have organized the intervention a long time ago.
So, what is it about ‘Star Wars’?
I think it’s that the original trilogy managed to spark my
imagination. It had a strong heroine that didn’t need any man to save her.
Sure, she kissed her brother but she ended up with the handsome rogue in the
end – so all was right with the world.
Now, I’m not going to pretend the new trilogy measures up –
that would be disingenuous. I honestly think that George Lucas was trying to
make great movies when he took on the endeavor – he just got tripped up on his
own ego in the process.
That being said, the newer trilogy isn’t awful either. There
are some genuinely wonderful moments in the films – especially ‘Revenge of the
Sith’ – but they just don’t hold the magic of the original.
So, this Memorial Day, when you’re done with your barbecues
and fireworks, pop in a classic (the Blu-Rays are visually breathtaking) and
revisit Luke Skywalker and friends.
I guarantee you won’t regret it.
Trust me.
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