As you've likely figured out from some of my previous posts, I'm a bit of a dork. I enjoy fear-inducing films and stories (I love the controlled adrenaline rush that comes with), Superman will always be the best hero in my mind, and I have an undying love for Star Wars. As I write this, I'm listening to bits and pieces of the Star Wars soundtrack on Youtube. So you can imagine my delight when I heard the news that my favourite space saga was coming back to the big screen.
I got hooked on Star Wars at a young age. Something foolish like four or five. Awesome space battles, really cool star ships, and the one and only James Earl Jones voicing the most epic bad-ass villain Hollywood has ever seen. I still own the grainy, original VHS tapes where Han shoots first (if you're unfamiliar with the, "who shot first, Han or Greedo," argument, you likely live under a rock, as even those who have never seen the film are aware of this debate). I live in fear of watching those tapes, though, because they're so darn old, I have visions of the tape snapping, or some foolishness like that.
Back in the mid nineties, George Lucas had announced that the original trilogy was coming back to theatres. I suppose calling them original is a bit of a lie as they were now the special editions of the originals. That didn't matter to me, though. I was going to get to see Star Wars on a massive screen, and experience the saga the way it was meant to viewed. I got to be like those who first saw it in 1977. Naturally, this was a prelude to the prequels that had yet to arrive.
While waiting for the prequels, the Special Edition of the original trilogy had been released on VHS. I remember snagging The Return of the Jedi on tape at the Dofasco Christmas party. Oh man, was I ever excited! And yes, I promptly watched it that night when we came home. I had to. It was like a rule. An unwritten rule, but a rule nonetheless.
I was in grade six when the first of the prequel trilogy came out in 1999. I had no idea what to expect with Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace. All I knew was that the story was now on its way to being completed, and that I couldn't wait for it to come out. I remember seeing the film in theatres three times, and being far from disappointed. The pod race was like nothing I'd ever seen before, and I must admit, I still think they look like they'd be terrifying but exhilarating to race. In other words, I want one. Darth Maul didn't have an epic voice like Darth Vader, but I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one who thought that he was one scary looking sonofabeech. Not as awesome as Darth Vader, but still really freaking cool, or at least with, "Duel of the Fates," as he takes on Obi-Wan Kenobi (my first introduction to Ewan McGregor) and Qui-Gon Jin (my second meeting with Liam Neeson).
Tenth grade was when Star Wars, Episode II: Attack of the Clones came out. I remember going to the theatres to see it with a few of my friends. My mum, being the way she is, bought the four of us who were going PEZ that looked like Yoda and Darth Vader. I think I saw that one two or three times as well. Of the prequels, Ep. 2 was probably the best. There was more action, it was way louder than the first, and it had Christopher Lee, who makes for a very good villain (don't believe me? Watch SW Ep. 2, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and then get back to me).
By this time, the Special Editions of the original trilogy had been released on DVD. Naturally, I went out and purchased it. All sorts of extra goodies, no crackling tape, and clear, crisp picture. I recall picking it up during the week that I had off for my exams. Omar and I were finished all of ours, and since his television is much larger than mine, I took my movies over, and we had a marathon. That's right. We watched Ep.4: A New Hope, Ep. 5: The Empire Strikes Back, and Ep. 6: The Return of the Jedi all in one sitting. We stopped long enough to use the bathroom in between films. That was it. I remember, though, that the DVD with all the bonus features had a sneak-peak at the final installment: Revenge of the Sith. Omar and his brother sat with their noses pretty much pressed against the television for the five-ish minutes that the sneak-peek lasted. No, I'm not the only dork.
It was either grade twelve, or my victory lap, I can't remember which, when the final prequel installment, Star Wars, Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith made its way to the big screen. I really don't have much to say about Ep. 3. Out of all six films, it was definitely the worst. Omar would probably agree with me, especially since we have been known to refer to it as, Revenge of the Shit on occasion (or maybe we're dyslexic. I haven't decided yet).
After Ep. 3, I never thought I'd get to see my favourite film franchise on the big screen ever again. Sure, I could watch it at Omar's house, but it's not the same. I think it was around the time Omar and I went to see Star Wars: In Concert that we found out that all six films were coming back to theatres. For the record, SWIC was amazing, and it had Anthony Daniels (aka C-3P0) doing the narration), and yes, I dressed up as Princess Leia for the occasion.
Yes, I know I touched on it briefly in my previous post, but there was just something about being able to be the ultimate geek, and see something I love so much the way it was meant to be seen thirteen years later. I felt like an eleven-year-old all over again. I cannot wait for the rest of them to come out for the second and third time around. Yes, I will always be this dorky. May the Force be with you.
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