Has it been thirty years already? I guess it has. Three decades ago today Star Wars was released and it changed the world — including the world of one nine-year old boy who first saw the menacing Imperial Star Destyroyer fly overhead in pursuit of a Rebel Blockade Runner on a large drive-in screen in Fountain Valley, CA. Now that scene was quite impressive against the night sky.
I was hooked from the very first commanding notes of John Williams‘ score. There was no denying it — this was a movie made for a kid just like me. I’m nerdy enough to get caught up in quoting the films when someone else starts. The only thing that I play on my Sony PSP is Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy.
Sure, over the last thirty years I might not always be super keen on where the jugernaut sci-fi franchise has been led… The prequels, eh. The novels post Timothy Zahn and early Kevin Anderson efforts, also eh. I can appreciate the “special edition” versions of the original trilogy to a certain degree — to me Han will always shoot first.
My freshman year in high school I was one of those geeks waiting in line over night to see Return of the Jedi on opening day at the “Big Newport.”
I’ve owned and lost more Star Wars action figures than I can remember. Yeah, I had the Early Bird Certificate Package for when the figures were first released. Currently I still collect various Artoo-Detoo figures.
I dig Boba Fett. That’s obvious by the license plate on my truck.
I’m bummed that I won’t be able to attend the Star Wars Celebration happening in Los Angeles this weekend. Just to much going on.
Someday I might even get around to having my girlfriend watch Star Wars — all six and in order. She’s never seen any of them — yet I still love her.
Dan Taylor Blog 