So here we stand in this season of waiting on the verge of what could be a new hope. Nah, not Christmas. That turns up every year.
I'm talking about Star Wars, of course.
Folks from my generation seem to be tip-toeing into tomorrow with caution.
"You doing an original trilogy marathon first?"
"No, don't want to get too excited, you know?"
Yeah, I get it. We've all been hurt before. Me, I've been trying to walk the line of cautious optimism. I like J.J. Abrams. I think he did a good job with the Star Trek reboot, which kindles hope that this thing just might come off alright if the writers are on their game.
I've been rewatching stuff from the extended world. The kind of fan contributions that have honored the Star Wars realm and made it richer in their own little ways. The Cartoon Network original Clone Wars cartoons. Fan Boys. Stuff like that. It has indeed been a dark time for the rebellion, but there are good folk out there fighting the good fight and putting forth some good stuff. If the new movies can be that level of cool, I'll be well contented.
But, that scene in the trailer? With the Milenium Falcon?
(Wouldn't it be awesome if this thing totally rocked?)
Alright, I'm pretty much signing off of internet communications until I can hand my ticket over to the bouncer at the door of the movie theater on Sunday. But before I do that, can you and I just share a significant moment together? Somewhere out there, someone is reading this and shaking their head and saying something like, "Oh my god, it's just a movie! What is wrong with you people?" And you and I, we're looking each other across the realms of cyberspace, and looking at crazy Joe throwing up his hands over there, and looking at each other again. And we're going to smile in that way that speaks volumes. Because we know better.
To all Star Wars fans, here's to the moment when we sit in our individual theaters across the world and see a new crawl inch its way up the screen while John Williams blares through the speakers. May the force be with you.