star wars day

Star Wars Day

Today is once again International Star Wars Day. Last year I made a wonderful post about it and my thoughts on the movies, but it was coupled by the fact I was having seriously annoying issues with the last host of this blog, Blog.com, and so there was a slight air of tension about the day and in the post.

The revival of the series, Star Wars VII, is coming along nicely, the first group of actors that will star in it have been announced, the old favourites of Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, and Harrison Ford all playing (presumably) their original parts. There was some immediate controversy however about the fact only one additional woman has been added to the story, something which prompted theories of it being another annoying love triangle plot with the new generation. But there are also theories there are further cast announcements to be made and with no filming having started or clear indication of plot, speculating isn’t doing anyone any good.

I think I am looking forward to the movie if not just to see what they’re going to do with this big time difference. Having rewatched the series last year I came to the realisation that I don’t mind the prequels, being older than I was when I first saw them I can see the flaws, but it wasn’t that badly done that I’m giving up on them. I do reserve my right to avoid any TV show about it because computer generated Stars Wars about the clone wars isn’t my thing, so I am a movie fan and quite happy to be one. Plus possibly a lot of the merchandise which I eye off and add to wishlists I know will rarely be granted.

Only a few hours into this morning I already saw a lot of annoyance and negativity towards Star Wars Day on twitter. Everything from people saying that people who go around saying “May the fourth be with you” will end up alone, or nit-picky people saying it is “the fourth of May, not May the fourth”, even just people saying it is stupid and don’t want any one near them to say it. I don’t understand the dislike, it isn’t technically official, nobody has asked you to participate in the day and commenting on your distaste for what is really a meaningless unofficial day seems to me a lot more effort than you believe it to be worth. Don’t attack people who want to enjoy a fun day and share their love a film series (and subsequent TV, books, comics, cartoon etc etc and whatever else Star Wars format I’ve forgotten), it’s rude, disrespectful and just unnecessary. This goes for other non Star Wars Days as well, don’t belittle someone’s passion just because it isn’t yours, but that rant is not for today.

What I like about this day is not just the play on words, because that is always an awesome added bonus, and not just that I can have more of an excuse to look up images of stormtroopers being parents/enjoying life (seriously Google that because it is adorable!), but the fact that it isn’t a small “holiday”, I’ve seen booksellers and authors, newspapers and websites all promoting the day, they may not be fans themselves but take part and celebrate it all the same. As I say, I don’t claim to be the biggest Star Wars fan, but at 12:04am when I realised what day it was, I did spent two and a half hours, hours when I should have been in bed (or at least working on my assignments), putting Toby in Jedi robes so that definitely puts me on the scale somewhere.

I may have to go listen to some Aurelio Voltaire Star Wars themed songs now to celebrate since writing this has gotten them in my head. I hope you all have a wonderful Star Wars Day and may the force be with you all.

Star Wars Day

We will ignore the fact that this site is ruining the greatest day ever by having a hissy fit about comments and not letting people through, yes you blog.com! And instead we will enjoy Star Wars Day happily and merrily and remind people they can still comment on Facebook.

I recently undertook a Star Wars marathon which was glorious. I insist that every one should do this, and I also insist that you watch them originals and then prequels. You will do yourself no good watching them 1-6 because it ruins practically everything in 4-6 by watching 1-3 first.

I will say I hold A New Hope (IV) as a high favourite because it was the one I saw first, however I rather enjoyed Revenge of the Sith (III), but that one pretty much confirms the idea you have to watch them old then new. And then when you think about it they were all amazing, yes even the other prequels, though there are some serious cringe-worthy moments in them. I was 11 when I saw the first prequel, and being young and naive I really liked it. Now I can see the flaws, but there are still good moments, and they are good films, as odd sequel prequels. It is much better to see where it began after the fact than try and watch it chronologically.

There are many Star Wars books, a lot of them extending storylines after films and looking at where and how characters ended up. There are a lot. They have been going awhile, list is here. There are a range of different books and facts and artworks and a whole collection of Star Wars content that goes beyond the films. Even the television shows and the merchandise probably is on par with what the fans have created.

As favourite characters go I have and always will be a Chewy fan, but I have got a soft spot for the Ewoks, I am not entirely sure why but I do. What I find interesting it the fact people go on about the Luke/Leia kiss, and I always thought she only kissed him out of spite to annoy Han. No? Luke may have had his own agenda but I thought it was Leia and Han from the early beginning. I may be wrong, I may have missed something, but that is what I like to think.

So have a happy Star Wars Day, and let us have a proper think about what the next lot of Star Wars films could bring now that Disney is in charge, they did do Avengers, but they also did [insert all their bad attempts at doing serious live action films]. I eagerly wait and see, and surely having Lucas out of range with all his fiddling is better? Maybe? I don’t know, it always makes me think of that Simpsons episode where Bart and Lisa go to Cosmic Wars Ranch and meet “Randell Curtis” to discuss the horrible turn his films have taken. I did always think that ‘The Gathering Shadow’ take on The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones was exaggerated, but when I watched them again I realised it was rather accurate, and that made me slightly sad. But really, I think aside from a few story history fillers, there is little real adventure in the prequels, it is very political and the action only adds to providing back story. But we love them, and they make us happy. So whether you are a original movie only person, or an all in 6 movie, TV shows, lego games, board games, fan fiction, novels, novelty toys, lightsabre wielding person, have a great day, watch some Star Wars, read some Star Wars, or just share some Star Wars with the uninitiated!