A long time ago but in this very galaxy, I was a geeky 17-year-old girl who fell in love with “Star Wars.”
The movie opened in May 1977 in only 32 theaters nationwide. But it was soon playing on a thousand screens. Sci-fi geeks like me stood in long lines and paid about $2.30 for a ticket to see George Lucas’ epic sci-fi adventure.
When the theater lights dimmed, a rebel blockade runner shot across the screen as an enormous imperial cruiser chasing it fired shots. I held my breath as the attacking ship took forever to cross the screen — seemingly over my head. What a colossal ship!
It was the classic plot of the underdog — farmboy-turned-Jedi-knight Luke Skywalker — standing up to the atrocities of Darth Vader and the evil Empire. I was hooked. Add Princess Leia Organa, a heroine who didn’t need to be rescued — much. She had the courage to stand toe to toe with Vader and to shoot stormtroopers with a blaster. How could I not love “Star Wars”?
‘Star Wars’: A chronology
“Star Wars: A New Hope” — May 25, 1977
“The Empire Strikes Back”— May 21, 1980
“Return of the Jedi”— May 25, 1983
“Star Wars — Episode I: The Phantom Menace”— May 19, 1999
“Star Wars — Episode II: Attack of the Clones”— May 16, 2002
“Star Wars — Episode III: Revenge of the Sith”— May 19, 2005
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”— Dec. 18, 2015
I’m a baby boomer who grew up watching campy Godzilla and Rodan movies on Saturday morning TV. “Star Wars” not only raised the bar, but ushered in a new age of sci-fi movies.
In 1977, I earned $2.30 working as a carhop at the A&W in Chewelah. Smitten with “Star Wars,” I plunked down about a buck to buy the seven-inch 45 RPM single with “Star Wars Main Title” on side one and “Cantina Band” on the flip side. Soon, John Williams’ sweeping orchestral music was being played by Top 40 radio stations, high school bands and bell-bottom-wearing kids on their hi-fi stereos.
Almost two decades later, I was a mom of two young children following in my geeky footsteps. My son, Conor, then 4, nearly wore out our VHS tape of “The Empire Strikes Back.” In my son’s eyes, our family room transformed into the planet Dagobah, and he morphed into Luke Skywalker training with Yoda, a grand Jedi master. In those scenes, Luke carries Yoda on his back. Lacking a Yoda, Conor carried his Dalmatian stuffed animal on his back while he stood in front of the TV reciting Luke’s dialogue and brandishing his green plastic light saber.
Later, when “The Phantom Menace,” “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith” were released, I hoped they would be as mesmerizing as the first three movies, and couldn’t wait to share them with my kids. Mostly, I was disappointed in the annoying Jar Jar Binks and bland Hayden Christensen in a snooze-worthy performance as young adult Anakin Skywalker. How could this whining teen possibly become the formidable Lord Vader?
Despite my ambivalence about the new trilogy of “Star Wars” movies, our kids embraced them. Conor was Anakin Skywalker for Halloween, and he had at least one “Star Wars” birthday party. From the “Star Wars” cookbook, I made my kids Hoth chocolate and Wookiee cookies. When we adopted a kitten from the humane society, our daughter, Kate named him Anakin Skywalker, or “Ani” for short.
Now. 38 years since the first “Star Wars” movie premiered, director George Lucas has passed the torch to J.J. Abrams. The opening night showings of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” have already sold out at Cinetopia 23 at Vancouver Mall. The theater added more opening night shows. Those quickly sold out, too. If you haven’t bought your tickets for the opening night showings, you’ll likely have to wait to see the movie another day.
Just like in the old days, “Star Wars” fans are lining up early. More than a week before the premiere, about 100 fans, many wearing costumes, began lining up at the TCL Chinese Theater in L.A.
Although I don’t own a “Star Wars” costume — honest — I’ve waited with keen anticipation for Luke, Leia, Han Solo and Chewbacca to pick up the story where it left off so long ago. I’m avoiding spoilers because I want to be surprised. Has Abrams captured the magic of that first movie in the franchise? Has Luke remained a Jedi and resisted turning to the dark side? Is Leia still a strong woman who stands up for her beliefs?
Like many other “Star Wars” geeks, I can’t wait to be pulled into that galaxy far, far away again.
