Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we are indeed only three months away until Star Wars officially returns to the silver screen!
Now, I'd like to take the time and just share with you my personal relationship with Star Wars. For the longest time I can remember, I've always loved Star Wars. In all honesty, I think it stemmed from the connection of Star Wars and LEGO, back when I was only five years old. I remember I had the Mos Eisley Cantina, and the final duel between Yoda and Count Dooku. They were awesome, and they were a perfect extension of my two loves as a child. I first watched the movies on VHS with my dad. It was a pretty fantastic time, because even thought I had seen more advanced films that had released past the turn of the century, Star Wars hooked me with its fantastical fun. The characters were enjoyable to watch, the action was high-intensity, and the story was flawless. Star Wars grabbed me with all its might, and it hasn't let go since.
Now, imagine a kid with no real standards of film, who also happens to be a Star Wars fan, and is at the prime age at which new Star Wars movies were debuting. How excited did you think I was?
Very. Very excited.
The prequels were even more bombastic with the adventure. The special effects were uncanny in their mastery, the worlds looked dynamic and extraordinary, and the scope was incredible. You could clearly tell that this was all that famous creator George Lucas had wanted to do back in the '80's. And with all these developments and with all this time to grow and expand, what more could fans ask for?
Well, Star Wars had faced a certain fall from grace in this period. I couldn't acknowledge it then, but I can definitely concede that it wasn't up to snuff when placed next to the originals. The acting was weak from some, especially from actors who have improved so much now (looking at you, Natalie!). The stories were nowhere near the quality of the original trilogy; they were less focused on the development of the characters on a deeper level and more focused on setting up the action beats, in my opinion. Even some of the dialogue is corny, especially when compared to the originals.
Now, having grown up with these movies, I feel as though I have a greater appreciation for them. I can look past things that older fans can't, such as midi-chlorians and Jar-Jar Binks. These movies were with me as I grew up, and even though they aren't as great for me as they were when I was younger, I can still find enjoyment with them. However, I can also attest that they don't hurt as much for me because I didn't have to wait for almost 15 years before I had to see a new Star Wars movie after 1985 with Return of the Jedi.
Nevertheless, others felt a bit more burned when it came to the prequels. With that in mind, Walt Disney studios will no doubt turn out a fantastic film. After seeing all the characters showcased, after hearing all of the news that's come out of the production, I can tell you that I'm ready to go see Star Wars: The Force Awakens today. This movie has me in such a childlike excitement I haven't had since Marvel's The Avengers debuted. If anyone else shares my sentiments, spread the word! Flood your social media feeds with Star Wars news! Tell your friends the names of the new characters! Go out and buy some of the new toy lightsabers! Star Wars is back, baby! And you can bet your ass it's gonna blow it out of the park!
