Star Wars: A Gen-X Perspective
If you were around in 1980, you were a witness to a number of historical events. Miracle on Ice. The birth of CNN. The death of John Lennon.
What sticks out most in my life was a trip to the local theater to watch what I thought would be another pleasant sci-fi movie. Decades of fan boys and comic-cons have added unnecessary words to the title of the movie we all know now as Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back. Back then it was simply known as “the next Star Wars.”
This movie went viral before viral was a positive thing. Neighborhood streets at Halloween looked like a who’s who of the Dagaobah system. It wasn’t uncommon to see five Luke Skywalkers, seven Han Solos, and a handful of droids walking the streets. And the lunch boxes. Oh, the lunch boxes. You just weren’t cool unless you were drinking your room-temperature milk out of a thermos with the Millennium Falcon on it.
Because I’m a gentleman, I won’t pay much homage to episodes one through three. Something mom once told me about not saying anything if you can’t say something nice. We waited patiently and paid good money for them. While they were not complete bombs, it’s best we leave the Jar Jar era in the past.
It’s been 11 months since the first teaser trailer was released, and I thought the planet would spin off its axis with everyone’s excitment. So what happens to the life of a Gen-X’er when a new Star Wars movie comes out? Following is an abridged timeline of events leading up to the premiere.
Thanksgiving 2014 — I don’t recall exactly what I was watching but when the trailer came on the screen. I probably gave a shriek generally heard only at Beatles concerts. Han and Chewie are back? Release the nerds!
Immediately following Thanksgiving 2014 — As servers crashed all across the country, I joined my fellow dorks frantically scouring the web for movie details.
October 18, 2015 — Fandango and other sites are paralyzed with pre-orders, as I’m reading post after post of friends securing their tickets. Pure lunacy, I thought. I’ll see it when I see it. No need to freak out this early.
October 19, 2015 — Bought two tickets for opening weekend.
October 20, 2015 — Buyer’s remorse gripped my day as I wondered if it was a mistake not ponying up for 3D seats. My brother (and probable movie guest) said rightly, “If it’s not cool enough in 2D, 3D won’t help it.”
October 30, 2015 — A casual stroll through Target for household necessities (and some exercise as I drag my needy toddler past the Dollar Spot). You’d be hard pressed to find an aisle or end cap not featuring Star Wars tchotchke of some kind. Hmm, I didn’t think my life would feel incomplete without a Death Star waffle iron, but now I’m wondering how I’ve survived.
All of October/November — Social media explodes due Luke Skywalker’s absence from “Force Awakens” collateral, shedding light on the true power of Star Wars Nation. The only outlet in the late 1970s for movie gossip was at the water cooler or barbershop or playground. Now, legions of 30 and 40-somethings armed with laptops fan the flames with conjecture and theories.
November 5, 2015 — Saw the latest trailer. Now we’re getting into the part where I almost don’t want to click on these anymore lest I see too much too early thereby reducing the shock and awe when the house lights finally go down.
December 3, 2015 — The Internet is in full swing with Star Wars tweaks. My favorite thus far is a Chewbacca/Peter Griffin mashup. How did we entertain ourselves before the web?
December 17, 2015 — T-minus 34 hours until I’m sitting in the theater. I want very little to do with social media as the first round of premieres kick off today, and blabbermouths twitch spastically for the opportunity to boost their unsolicited critiques. It’s like recording the big game to watch later while trying to avoid every news outlet and human being in hopes you can watch it with unspoiled expectations. Gotta stay unplugged — if possible.
December 18, 2015 — It’s 6:30 p.m., and we’re only minutes away from seeing if all of the hullabaloo was worth it. The lobby was a nice mix of normal people and those who pulled their Jedi cloaks out of the mothballs. With the lights dark in the theater, one of the best five seconds of my life occurred as the last trailer ended, and no fewer than ten of my fellow movie-goers unleashed their own gurgly Chewbacca impersonations. There are finite moments in life where such a skill really pays off. Opportunity seized.
I won’t put any spoilers out there, but I will give my five stars, two thumbs up, certified fresh recommendation on the movie. Director J.J. Abrams did well paying homage to the original episodes with picturesque panoramic shots and scenes with some of the original characters, famous and otherwise. I have zero to complain about with the minor exception of the final scene, which was a little too long creating an awkward moment. Otherwise, I will be seeing it again once the initial hype dies down and when I won’t have to share an armrest with a Sith lord.
