A Long, Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars Day
Today is May the 4th.
Star Wars Day.
It celebrates the blockbuster movie franchises that became a media behemoth in its own right.
But for many people their connection to Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and the Force are a much more personal thing.
I can still remember the first time I saw Star Wars.
I loved most things science fiction and was currently obsessed with Jurassic Park.
My dad told me I needed to see Star Wars. At the time, I didn’t really care, I figured it was just some other old movie that grown ups are always trying to get you to watch.
But I was six years old and had no say in the matter. Soon I was in the car on the way to Blockbuster to get the movies. Things got better when I was given a bag of gummy bears, at least if I was going to watch some old movie, I would get some ursine shaped sugar delivery system.
I sat on the floor and waited for the movie to begin.
I didn’t know what was about to hit me.
The bombastic Star Wars overture started and I knew something big was happening. My dad read the scroll as it passed too quickly for me to read. I had no idea what was going on but I was transfixed.
Next thing I know, there’s spaceships and lasers, and it filled my geeky little heart with joy.
Darth Vader appeared, perhaps the most iconic villain of all time.
I watched the droid escape.
I learned about the Jedi.
I saw Luke activate the lightsaber and I nearly cried. It was the coolest thing I’d ever seen. For the next ten years all I’d want for Christmas and my birthday was a lightsaber of very own.
I watched the Death Star blow up. I cheered with joy. It was amazing.
Imagine my joy when I found out there were two more movies.
I would watch the other two that night cementing my love of Star Wars.
My little mind was blown when I found out Darth Vader was my hero, Luke Skywalker’s father.
I jumped for joy when he finally beat the emperor after turning his father back from the dark side.
It had a profound effect on me.
I was amazed that one guy thought up this whole universe. My friends and I would make our own Star Wars stories.
My imagination went wild.
Eventually, I became a writer and now am lucky enough to make a living writing fiction. The stories might not be as grand but they come from the same kid who was sitting there watching Star Wars with his dad.
I’ll never be able to thank Star Wars enough.
May the Force be with you.
Thanks for this piece.
Two things happened because of that movie. First, I fell for all things mythology especially Joseph Campbell and the hero’s journey. Even flirted with Seminary.
Secondly, and decades later, I read the original pitch to studio executives. It was all princesses, Wookiee’s, buddhist quips about forces within, and light sabers. I thought this 6th grade gibberish. Did it come with crayon drawings ? How did it get the nod and a small wad of cash? Am I looking at the world with one eye?
It opened me up to be more patient, observing and curious. And that’s a good thing.
Kind regards,
Jak
I was in 7th grade when Star Wars hit theaters. My mom took my brother and me to see it—line wrapped around the block at the old one-screen theater. The music? Epic. The effects? Mind-blowing. That day changed me forever.
I became a pilot because of Star Wars.
So today, I raise a blue milk toast to the galaxy far, far away. Writing may be my starfighter now, but the Force is what got me off the ground.