A Little Introspection Before We Enter The Theaters

Commentary by Jeff Carter
5/15/99

For over twenty years now, people have been writing little editorials like this in a vain attempt to explain why so many people love Star Wars. Hacks, scribes, scholars, historians, journalists, and guys in their basements have pondered this brain-melting conundrum to the point of nausea. Some writers say it’s the special effects, or the cute robots, or the larger-than-life action, or maybe the age-old clash between good and evil in all of us. Others say it’s the clever mixture of fairy-tales, mythology, westerns, science fiction, fantasy, and Kurasawa films that drive people to haul tents and sleeping bags to a sidewalk to wait in line for five weeks. Well, I’m willing to wager the box-office opening weekend numbers for Episode I that most of these guys probably thought Kurasawa was a monster that Godzilla once stomped on. In short, they just don’t get it.

You see, Star Wars is all about a feeling. It’s the eternally indescribable emotion that dwells in the 10-year-old child deep down inside of each and every one of us. Star Wars has a feeling unique to every single individual who has sat through these three films. It’s the eye-widening awe as the Star Destroyer lumbers overhead in the opening moments of A New Hope. It’s the chills you felt snake down your spine as Darth Vader coldly revealed, hand outstretched, that he was Luke’s father. Star Wars is the nail biting, squirm-in-your-seat exhilaration of the speeder bike chase on Endor. It’s the adrenaline coursing through your veins as you writhed in agony wondering if Darth Vader could stand to see his son get blasted by the Emperor’s lightning for just one more second. It’s the crushing loudness of a stormtrooper laser battle and the silence of a tiny Jedi master gracefully raising a ship from the swamp. It’s that swelling in your heart when Leia said, " I love you". It’s the lump in your throat when Ben and Yoda passed on to become one with the Force. It’s the snap-hiss of a lightsaber igniting for battle and the labored breathing of a masked Sith Lord. Star Wars is dazzling star battles, exotic creatures, thrilling escapes, sweeping romance, mystical warriors, and comical robots. It’s a symphony of joy and loss; of wonder and magic. And you know what? It’s also just a whole lot of fun.

So, writers around the world, that is why we love Star Wars. Maybe we should just put our pens down, crumple up our papers, turn off our computers, and find that ten-year-old deep down inside. Go down to the theater on May 19^th and use that crumpled piece of paper to wipe the tear that’s going to well up when that John Williams score starts.

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