Chaz
Here we are, on the most important day for geeks, probably of all time. The sequel to Return of the Jedi. Star Wars The Force Awakens is now in the theatres. 32 years after Episode VI, and as Han says to Chewie, “We’re Home”. Take a step back for a minute and really think about this. For some of you, you were there in 1977. You stood in the lines, you witnessed a film that changed the very landscape of cinema. For others like myself, the first time you saw Star Wars in the theater was when the Special Editions came out in 1997. Finally, we’re about to see a film that none of us ever thought was going to exist after the bungling with the Prequels; but lo and behold, Kathleen Kennedy and JJ Abrams are here to make our wildest dreams come true. It’s a truly magical time to be a Geek.
As we’re on the precipice of the momentous occasion, I wanted to take it back to the beginning for me. My Aunts were both fans of the series and made me watch them whenever I would visit them. They would rent the movies from the library and sit me down in front of the TV so that I could experience the space fantasy that they loved. They would rent the movies from the library, and I would always ask to play them in the order to which I liked the films the best. This led me to always wonder why Vader was taking down The Emperor in one movie, and in the next I was seeing the reveal that the biggest baddie in the galaxy was the father to Luke.
I remember loving the Ewoks, Yoda, Salacious Crumb and the other Henson-built puppets. The lightsaber duels enthralled me as the sounds of crackling erupted on each hit. The Battle of Hoth is still my favorite battle in the entire trilogy, and I never get sick of taking down an AT-AT in any of the Star Wars video games that have come out throughout the years. There’s countless other scenes and moments that have become a part of my very DNA. There’s not a day that goes by where some reference isn’t brought up, usually as I’m the one bringing it up. “Thank the Maker,” “Don’t get cocky kid,” “I’ve Got a Bad Feeling About This,” are all quotes that I use on a regular basis. You Towelites have probably noticed that we have an entire Sunday devoted to all things Star Wars.
So, with all that being said, I am beyond excited to see Star Wars make it’s return to the big screen. I can’t entirely chastise George Lucas over the prequels, because he ultimately gave us all a film that will forever live on as one of the greatest trilogies of all-time. That being said, I’m very glad he has nothing to do with the new one. I have felt an awakening inside me and it’s only gotten greater as we’ve approached this day. The Force is Strong in me, and I can’t wait to reignite my love for this franchise in a whole new way!
CW
Some people have hobbies, interests, or even passions. When it comes to Star Wars and me, it’s an obsession. Like many of you I can not count how many times I’ve watched the Holy Trilogy, I can’t even recall the first time I watched them but it was very early on in my life. Some of my earliest memories are not knowing which movie came first in sequence, Empire or Jedi, the fact being that I was too young to get it. But I watched those movies and loved the heck out of them. I remember even arguing with my friend that when Luke enters Jabba’s palace that it was actually Vader, of course that was quickly remedied as we enjoyed the films and playing with his massive Star Wars action figure collection. I’m pretty sure that this is where my passion of collecting began and never stopped. I always wanted to own all of the vintage figures but I only had a few to call my own at that age. I remember getting a Bib Fortuna for Easter one year, I also recall owning a few others including Vader and a Gamorean Guard. But by the time that I was truly primed for action figures most were off the shelves. I remember seeing a Rancor in the store but my mom wouldn’t buy it for me. Later on in life I was able to obtain many of the Vintage figures and vehicles thanks to being an adult and having a job.
The years went by, I continued watching the OT over and over again, it’s influence opening my eyes to other sci-fi and fantasy series’ of the time. I remember watching the Ewok and Droids cartoons on TV along with the Ewok movies. Once the middle school years hit my obsession took off thanks to what is now known as Legends, but was better known as the Expanded Universe. Storytellers expanded the series I loved most into comics, books, and video games. I would get my hands on the dictionaries and encyclopedias that helped me to grow my knowledge of the SW universe beyond that of any normal fan. So much so that I made jokes about having a doctorate in SW knowledge. Stories like the Trawn Trilogy, Dark Empire, and more continued the adventures of Luke Skywalker and his band of merry rebels. Video games allowed me to visually enter the fray as I played Dark Forces as Kyle Katarn or explored The Shadows of the Empire as Dash Rendar. LucasArts delivered some amazing titles throughout the years. I still don’t understand how Shadows wasn’t adapted as New Canon, c’est la vie. When the new Power of the Force action figure line hit I was all over that, buying up every new figure that hit the shelves. Yeah kids made fun of me because I was collecting toys at that age but I didn’t care. Ah being a Star Wars fan was AMAZING. But that was before the dark times, before the prequels. These movies actually turned me away from Star Wars for a long time, a long time. I don’t need to go into specifics, but my anger over them actually made me miss The Clone Wars the first time around. I still read some books, comics, and played the games but I was pretty disheartened by what the Maker had put out. Years of anticipation and imagination shattered by a few bad movies.
In the past few years I have made amends to my lack of faith, though it be disturbing, when Disney took over the franchise a new candle was lit. After their success with the Marvel films there was a new hope for Star Wars, one I was truly ready to embrace. Disney began what is know as the New Canon, throwing out everything that the Expanded Universe had built. This move upset some, but I was ok with it knowing that it was pretty convoluted at that point and a new start would allow new fans to jump on board. Plus it gave me a new starting point to read the books, comics, and explore the worlds laid out in the new video games. I don’t even want to get into the onslaught of new action figures hitting stores, I’ll save that for another article. In my opinion, it is rather refreshing to not know what’s coming next and watch a new world being built before us. Now, on my birthday no less, I will be walking into the theater and watching the beginning of the new Star Wars movie universe. I don’t have high expectations for The Force Awakens, I’ve been burnt once before (well maybe three times), BUT this allows me to have my mind blown if Lucasfilm, Disney, and JJ have truly put together a Star Wars film that everyone can enjoy.
Rocco
I met my best friends in the year 1996. They have been my best friends since. The last time I truly saw them was 1997. At that time they were cleaned up, restored, and some would say improved. I remember the last place I saw them; the Sanctuary Moon of Endor. They danced and they smiled. I celebrated with them. I cheered, danced and jumped up and down. They did it, they destroyed the evil. They inspired me. They were my best friends. They became my family. I haven’t seen them since.
When I was told that on December 18th…I would see my family again, I cannot describe how that felt. I wish I could. For me, this is one of the most important moments in my life. I know that may seem silly to most. Hell, sometimes it feels silly to me. But when I was a kid, amongst all the yelling, all the anger, all the things that made me afraid, that new family of mine was always there. They made me feel safe. I haven’t seen them in so long.
It takes me a moment to choke back my tears while I write this but I digress; I’ve grown up now. I have a kid of my own. I will protect her with the loyalty of Chewbacca. I will do whatever I can to provide for her like Han Solo. I will teach her to be tough under any circumstances like Princess Leia. I will teach her wisdom like Yoda. I will teach her unconditional love and forgiveness like Luke Skywalker. I will teach her redemption as Anakin taught all of us.
December 18th for some means another big budget movie is hitting theaters. For me….it means my family is coming into town for the holiday.
The Myrrick
Depending on how you feel about Star Wars, this week is either the most anticipated moment of your adult life or just another week. Or the week before Christmas. Your experience may vary.
In my house, it’s another chapter in the Star Wars saga. I was coming of age during the re-release of the original Trilogy and my teenage years were lamenting the destruction of the franchise. No, I do not like Hayden Christiansen. I do like Padme Amidala’s costumes.
Yes, I had dabbled in the Expanded Universe because my brother had some of the novels that he got as gifts. And we played with his Millennium Falcon toy. We bonded.
One of the first things I learned about my husband (before he was my husband, naturally) was that he really, really liked Star Wars. He spent most of his teenage years playing Star Wars Galaxies, an MMO based in the Star Wars universe.
I’m glad to see the ‘band’ back together. Han, and Chewie, and Leia, and Luke and some new people (who will hopefully be less annoying than Jar Jar Binks). I’m glad that my husband and I will finally get to enjoy a new film together.
I hope everyone enjoys the film. May the Force be with you always.
