May the 4th

Welcome to my blog, take from it what you will and discard the rest: just like all other advice on the planet.

So today (or tomorrow if you are in a different time zone to Australia) was May the 4th. Up until a couple of years ago it was just another blip on the radar, another random day filled with the ups and downs of regular life until some genius (the internet) christened the day "Star Wars Day" due to how similar it was to the phrase more kids (and adults) know better than the second verse of the Australian National Anthem (side note: guess which country I'm from). From this small and delightful play-on-words May the 4th continued to grow to the rate that a national cinema chain screened all six Star Wars films over the weekend. The reach and popularity of the galaxy far, far, away knows few bounds.

I am a self-confessed Star Wars fan. I am an original (1977-1983) trilogy purist and I continue to have unresolved issues with Hayden Christensen. This does not differentiate me from the angry and vocal throng of the internet folk but my experience with the trilogy does. (Upcoming nostalgia warning- you have been warned).

In my earliest years I did not give one single shit about Star Wars. For the better part of my single-digit existence I did not care about it and had no interest in it. I had seen snippets of it on TV or at my friend's houses with their vast toy collections (bring back Micro Machines!) but I was more into Power Rangers or playing on the ancient video consoles of the early-to-mid 1990s.

All that changed in 1997.

A friend at the time used to go to the movies every Friday with his family. Being that he lived just across the road I was pretty much family so I would go with them whenever I was free or could be bothered. I skipped one night but went the next week. I didn't know what we were seeing but everyone was excited. When we arrived at the cinemas my friend pointed at a movie poster and told me we were seeing that movie. Being nine I could read fairly well:

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.

Unknowingly I had stumbled into one the 20th anniversary re-releases of the Star Wars Trilogy. Only being vaguely aware of what Star Wars was I went in a blank slate, indifferent to either the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire.

Oh how that changed.

Two-or-so hours later I had the requisite crush on Princess Leia, got freaked out by the cave on Dagobah, was in awe of the might of the Empire, terrified of Darth Vader, and shocked by what happened to Luke. Thank god the internet wasn't around like it is today back then or I wouldn't have liked it half as much. I didn't know the ending, that ending was uncharted territory to me. The thrill of the adventure and the characters all wrapped up in a special effects blanket transformed me from a slightly awkward quiet child into a full-blown sci-fi nerd (which the school bullies would also be aware of as well). I didn't care much; I had found my niche.

Fast forward to today: just under 20 years later and I am stunned at how fast Star Wars has gobbled up everything in its path and set the standard for every other budding film student and any kid who has ever picked up a pencil to draw anything. I challenge you to try drawing something that doesn't vaguely resemble something from the saga.

On this May the 4th we should recognise the effect, for better or for worse, that Star Wars has had on our lives. It's hold and influence on pop culture makes itself known to even those unlucky few who have not seen the films. I'm of the age now where I will be having children within the decade and one of the key questions that rattles around in my mind is: how will I introduce Star Wars to my children? Chronologically? Original then Prequel? Machete? This has been made more complicated by J.J. Abrams' upcoming additions to the canon. Dammit he'd better not screw it up!

Now I will ask the readers of this blog a few questions: Who here observes May the 4th? Who thinks that the Star Wars saga gets too much exposure? Which film is your favourite?

'Til next time.

Sputnick