The Truth About Star Wars and YOU

The Truth About Star Wars and YOU

The trailer for the newest entry into the Star wars universe, The Force Awakens, has now been released and I was floored by the amount of responses I saw within a short period of time. What really shocked me (yes, it still shocks me) was the negativity. Now granted, I may be bias as I am a HUGE Star Wars nerd; starting in 1978 when SW came to my local theater and at the tender age of 8, I was immediately hooked. I was instantly taken to a galaxy far, far away. 

This is where I start to speak the truth about Star Wars, so buckle up as we jump to light speed. It's gonna be a bumpy ride rides. 

My love for Star Wars is over 35 yrs long and tons and tons of money deep. From countless viewings, opening night toy runs, multiple copies of VHS, DVD's and Blu Rays purchases. Yes, I feel like I have a problem. What I don't have a problem with though; knowing that Star Wars is aimed at children. As I grew older, the series stayed aimed at the same audience. My inner child was still there but I started to see the writing on the wall.

Kids love this asshole

From Ewoks to Jar Jar Binks, all aimed for kids, not me. Light sabers, space ships, creatures...yep, all for kids...again, not me. We have to remember, we all fell in love with Star Wars as a child. I would love to be selfish and think "Lucas was making the movies for me"...but sadly, he wasn't. To me, this isn't negative...this is the charm of Star Wars.

When I became a father and The Phantom Menace came out, I immediately thought, "Midnight showing with my kids!!" Was I happy with that movie? It was ok (ok, my least favorite of the series)...it was not what I fell in love with but then it dawned on me, as my kids were asking for Jar Jar Binks toys...wait, this isn't MY Star Wars...its bigger than that. THEY loved it. Know why? Because they aren't a 26 yr old fanboy who grew up on it that shits on every possible flaw that we, as adults don't feel fits into OUR Star Wars memories. We have emotion attachment, based on various feelings we all had when we saw or had our 1st experience.  

The film and universe isn't for us...its for our kids!! Sitting and bitching about how the 90 sec teaser looks, is just silly. First, how can you judge anything in 90 secs...unless you're a guy getting your first experience of vagina, its hard to achieve pleasure in 90 secs. Well, even then, its one sided. In todays world, Disney knows YOU are going go see the movie, regardless of how much you bitch. Bitching does NOTHING. The flashy droid, the cool speeder...all aimed at kids. The new Light saber design? You guessed it...for toy sales. Once you start to accept it, its much easier to just relax and enjoy. 

Ok, maybe the lens flare is for me ;)

Will it be good? Who knows. Will I be there? Of course...with my wife and kids too. I will (probably) also buying toys I don't need and more Star Wars nonsense that will continue to clutter my house. I'm not saying we have to enjoy the thought of Jar Jar making decisions that could foil the galaxy or even the thought that Chewbacca needing to get home for Earth Day, we just have to realize, we are fans, but its our inner child that has a connection. Its time for a new generation to know what becoming a fan of the series is and making that connection. The series beginning to restart again makes me happy. Knowing we will see some of the main trilogy characters, again, makes me excited. JJ Abrams is a fanboy just like us...if anyone could make a fantastic film, it's him. Have faith boys and girls. 

Be more positive, be better for tomorrows fan...and may the force be with you.....always.