BLOG: For My Fellow Star Wars Fans, Remembering the Binary Sunset
Star Wars is the most convoluted, bloated excuse for a franchise in all of nerd culture. Three revolutionary movies shook the world and created tidal waves of merchandise, books, and fat men in slave girl outfits, as well as aftershocks of prequels, TV shows, and God help us, Christmas specials.
It’s become increasingly easy over the years to look at Star Wars as a big joke, but today, I urge you, as a passionate fan, to step away from the memes, the jabs, and the arguments, and remember the first time you saw A New Hope.
Remember the jaw-dropping size of that Imperial Star Destroyer.
And the first time we heard Vader breathe.
How Luke was just a normal kid, like you and me.
How much we wanted a lightsaber.
The song in the Mos Eisley Cantina.
The first time we met Han, the first time we heard Chewie.
“I’m Luke Skywalker, I’m here to rescue you.”
My dad used to tell me how he’d ride his bike to the theater in his small town, scrounging up spare change just to see this movie on the big screen. It was the most amazing thing his thirteen-year-old self had ever seen, and it changed the lives of he and his friends forever. Who cared about snobs pointing out cheesy dialogue or debating the Force or whining over Han not shooting first? People were just enchanted.
I rarely watch the Original Trilogy with friends, because the event turns into a quoting, mocking, joke fest. Which is fine, and I’m usually the most gifted insulter of them all. But when I watch the films alone or with my dad, I get that feeling again. I revert back to when I first saw them – when I didn’t want to be Princess Leia, I was Princess Leia.
A true fan loves Star Wars in spite of its flaws, in spite of its corniness. To us, it’s a real adventure that we would give anything to experience, and the theme song still runs chills down our spines.
Don’t forget what it’s like to be a Jedi – your childhood self would slice your arm off.
Happy Star Wars Day. May the Force stay with you forever.
Cool Posts for Sexy People
- We’re Working Hard
- HAPPY MOTHRA’S DAY
- Dammit, Peter Molyneux!
- Assassin’s Creed, Ezio, and You.
- NGP Will Support 3D… Maybe
Reviews
Links
May 4th, 2011 - 18:37
So I see you got embedding to work in wordpress. Good job, Lisa. =)
Happy Star Wars day.
May 4th, 2011 - 18:42
There is nothing like the original trilogy. I remember the first time I saw the jailbreak scene. I was six and I wanted so badly to dive into the garbage.
May 4th, 2011 - 18:56
The original movies made me like the series so much I saw the first prequel like 5 or so times at the theatre, and read as many of the expanded universe books I could. I suspect I wouldn’t be half the nerd/geek I am today without them, they were probably my first science fiction experience. And in hindsight many of those expanded universe books are not the best, but I wanted to see more of the characters.
May 4th, 2011 - 19:32
This is a glorious article :) It’s that childhood fascination that takes one back to the days when the common reaction was “That’s So Cool!” instead of “What In The Bloody Hell Is A Parsec?”
Happy Star Wars Day!
May 4th, 2011 - 19:34
Much like Andrew above me, I became an absolute Star Wars fiend after finally seeing all the movies at an age where I could understand them (I wanna say around 15 or so). I raided my local library on a weekly basis for every Star Wars book-on-tape I could find and have read everything between the end of Episode six and the Corellian Trilogy. I own three different copies of the original trilogy (regular edition on VHS, special edition on VHS, and special edition on DVD). There is a massive box in my garage dedicated to all of the Star Wars toys I collected as a kid, in particular the Micro Machine vehicles that were WAY too much fun to play with.
For me, the trilogy was all about Han Solo. His freedom, his relationship with his ship, his good heart beneath a rough, roguish exterior, he was the man I wanted to grow up to be some day. I didn’t need to be the big hero, I just needed to know that I did what was right and made the galaxy a little bit better.
Heh, I’m getting all misty eyed remembering those days gone by as John William’s haunting score plays in my head. Truely I would not be the man I am today if not for the influence of that three movie masterpiece.
Happy Star Wars day indeed ^.^
May 4th, 2011 - 20:05
I love it!! :) Thank you so much for sharing this!
May 4th, 2011 - 20:17
I introduced my brother to Star Wars, and I was so happy to take him to the theaters to see the Special Editions. He loved the Star Wars universe even more than I did, and it was a great bonding item for us. I’m 31, and he’s 5 years younger than I. Star Wars is always something we can say “yeah, we both like that” and talk about. He knows more mythology and canon, but it’s something we share and something that is really special to me.
Thanks Lisa!
May 5th, 2011 - 08:33
Truly said, Star Wars is not as much fun with friends, as with my dad. I also revert back to when I first saw the film with him.
May 5th, 2011 - 09:54
I grew up on Star Wars. I was 1 when I was taken to see Empire and from the stories I was told, I didn’t make a peep during the movie; I just stared in quiet amazement. When Jedi came out, I already had so many SW toys (like my cherished Boba Fett I still have) and trading cards. My family had to watch the movies over and over… That feeling of awe and wonderment still gets me when I watch the original movies.
SW is a big part of my life. I’ve dedicated countless hours (and dollars) to it. I got involved with the 501st to portray a Stormtrooper and bring the fantasy to life for children in my spare time in hospitals or other charity events. It’s my way of bringing to life the movies for a whole new generation of fans. I get just as excited as they do when they light up. I get to be part of something that brings joy to so many, it’s even led me to meet George Lucas and march on his behalf in the 2007 Tournament of Roses parade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDZNc9bStWE (skip to about 2:45).
I’m a vocal hater of the prequels and the Clone Wars, it doesn’t have the same feel as the originals, put together on a wing and a prayer of a young and idealistic film maker who had yet to (completely) sell out his vision. But while I hate it, it has ushered in so many younger fans to the magic of SW, which is great. It’s a throwback to simpler times when I was young and I can recapture that just by watching the films.
Oh, and Han didn’t shoot first, Han shot. Greedo didn’t stand a chance.