Happy Star Wars Day!

    Along time ago in a cinema not so far away  a cultural phenomenon was released. A New Hope, combined with the release of Jaws two years earlier, started the culture of the summer movie blockbuster.  At the time who would of imagined the success and impact of that film?

     Forty six years later the film spawned a franchise that includes eleven live action films and a handful of television series, with no end in sight.

    Star Wars may bit be my favorite but I throughly enjoy the films.  I have struggled with the tv series.  The original trilogy are the best of them all.  The Empire Strikes Back being the crown jewel.  Growing up I adored these films and watched my VHS copies with much frequency.  (Side bar: who reading this knows what a VHS is?).  In fact as I write this I am rewatching Return of the Jedi, this time on DVD.  

   I do not despise the prequel trilogy the way others do.  The Phantom Menace has some interesting political plot points plus an awesome pod race. Liam Neeson also gave an enjoyable performance.  The second half of Attack of the Clones had some excellent action sequences, anchored by the climax colosseum battle.  I thought Revenge of the Smith had a really good story.

     The sequel trilogy had its ups and downs for me.  The Force Awakens disappointed me.  I love what J.J. Abrams did when he rebooted Star Trek.  His Episode VII was basically a remake of A New Hope.  I was hoping for something new and not a rehash of a previous franchise entry.  The Last Jedi took a lot of chances and they paid off.  Not on,y is this the best of the sequel trilogy but a highlight of the entire franchise.  The Ruse of Skywalker annoyed me by going out of its way to discredit The Last Jedi. 

    The two spin-off films were fun.  Solo was mot grit but highly entertaining.  Rogue One gad a strong, well told story and was a beautifully crafted film. 

    The legacy that this franchise has in society is legendary. The films are quoted/referenced daily.  There are conventions to celebrate the movies.  I love seeing so many people come together for a common love.  In fact my favorite part of The Firce Awakens was not seeing a new Star Wars saga start but waiting, in the rain, with my friends to see it.  Sharing in the excitement with friends and strangers alike is a memory I will cherish long after the ink fades on the ticket stub.  I still have that ticket stub but I collect my ticket stubs.  That excitement, like the films, brings people together, proving that race, religion, sexual orientation do not matter, we are all people.  That’s the power of cinema to draw us together and Star Wars is a prime example of the ability to bond folks together.

   Again Star Wars is not my favorite but the film series remains a big part if my and pop culture’s cinematic galaxy.

  May the fourth be with you!