On the verge of the six Star Wars movies coming out in 3D to theaters nationwide, I find myself taking a moment to reflect. As a boy, those movies (and the action figures) influenced me a great deal. I remember acting out the scenes in the backyard or playing with the toys with friends. I would draw up the characters and write my own stories based on the adventures of Luke, Han, Leia, Chewie and the Droids. I’d like to think that that play acting and the Star Wars stories helped shaped me into the man I’ve become today.
I recalled hearing rumors after “Return of the Jedi” came and went to the theater that George Lucas was planning three prequels and three more sequels. Man, I was ecstatic when I heard that news. I just knew they would be brilliant. After all, the first three were incredible (at the time). And then the waiting began…and so I waited and waited and searched for any morsel of information I could find on the subject matter.
Fourteen years later, my waiting finally paid off…sort of. I was a Junior in College at the time and Star Wars was not always in my thoughts at that age. It was there, but just not as prevalent as say when I was six. But Star Wars leapt right back into the spotlight when I heard that Mr. Lucas was releasing a Special Edition of the Trilogy. I was so excited to see the movies again in the theater and I even camped out with all the rest of the fan boys - although I never dressed up for the occasion. But then I saw the movies and the changes and like many fan boys – I didn’t like that Greedo shot at Han first nor did I care for the campy hangar scene where Han walks on Jabba’s tail. Still, these were just minor gripes because I knew that Mr. Lucas was planning to release the prequels soon – it was a whisper on the wind but now I thought, “This is going to be the pay-off for all that waiting.”
Now picture this: it’s the summer of 1999. I’m in Missoula, Montana with my Dad and Step-mother. I’m about to start working my first real acting job for the Missoula Children’s Theater. And I convinced my father, who I’m sure was reluctant to go see Star Wars with his twenty-something son, to go to the Theater that night and stand outside waiting to see this movie. It was supposed to be just like when I was a kid. Cathartic and rewarding, exciting and mind-blowing. I just knew that this would be the big pay-off…this would reignite the magic and rekindle my love for Star Wars. And you know what? It wasn’t that bad. Sure, Jar-Jar was over the top and I died a little inside when young Anakin Skywalker said “Woo Hoo” while shooting down droid starships. But it wasn’t anything like I had built up in my mind…which is not surprising. Is anything as perfect as what you’ve built up in your head?
When “Attack of the Clones” came out, I wasn’t as excited to see it. I think I waited a week or so before I went with my friend and his wife. I was living in California then - still trying the acting thing. I did not like the second movie. It was just too contrived and rushed for my taste. But it was a fun ride. I just knew I’d never want to own that one. Oh well. Life goes on, right?
The third and final film I was a little more excited over. I mean, this was where Anakin would finally transform into Darth Vader. It was supposed to be epic. But life got in the way and I think I ended up catching it on one of the final weekends before it moved on. I was living in North Platte, Nebraska then and I saw it with a friend who I worked with during my tour with the Missoula Children’s Theater. And I’d have to say this was my favorite of the prequel trilogy…except for the part where Darth cries out “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” I cringed when he did that, but overall it was a good movie and it came closest to rekindling that spark I once had for Star Wars.
Now I see the movies are coming out again and this time in 3D and it’s like an old flame that I just never quite got over. She’s mistreated me a few times but nothing terrible. We just kinda lost touch and now she’s called me up and asked me to go to the movies. But, she’s buying the popcorn this time…
