– Time For A Tiara: Column by Ginna Young – - In a galaxy, far, far away…

STAR WARS!

If you immediately heard the Star Wars theme begin playing in your head, we can be friends. Star Wars is one of my favorite things ever. And before you say it’s not a thing, but a movie series, you’re wrong.

Star Wars in a thing, because of what it became – it’s taken on a life of its own, spawning multiple sequels, prequels and limited series on Disney+. It also has brought multiple generations together, through conventions, online forums, fanfiction, costume parties and just plain old talking about the phenomenon.

That was never clearer, than when Micon Downtown Cinema had a $5 special, showing every single Star Wars movie, beginning with the original, Star Wars IV: A New Hope. Of course, when I found out about it, I had to go.

Since Episode IV came out in 1977, I, who had not been born yet, missed out on seeing it in the theatre. Same with Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi.

So, my first exposure to the movies, was when my sister was watching A New Hope on TV, when I was maybe seven or eight. I asked her what it was about and she told me, but said she didn’t think I’d like it.

I liked it. I liked it so much, that I watched it every chance I got when it was on TV, mostly around Thanksgiving, when cable showed the trilogy. Finally, it was announced that the entire box set was coming out on VHS, a big deal at that time. Being in possession of the $30 it took to buy the set, I begged Mom to let me spend the money on it.

She didn’t like me to waste my hard-earned birthday and Christmas money on frivolous stuff, but she realized how much this meant to me, so she agreed. On our next trip to Shopko, we headed to the video section and there it was, sitting atop the display, for all to see.

I swear I heard hallelujah music and everything else faded away. I gently took the box set in my arms and cradled it, and proudly went to pay for it, with my very own money, happy as a clam that I could watch it whenever I wanted. I still have that box set, even though it’s now obsolete.

Eventually, it got harder and harder to find a good VHS player, especially since our TV was older and nothing was compatible. One Christmas, Mom asked me (for the very first time) what I wanted as a present. I didn’t even hesitate.

I wanted the original three Star Wars movies, theatrical version, not remastered.

Side note, anybody who likes the remastered versions, is just wrong. I don’t argue politics and I always try to see each side of an argument, even if I disagree, but on this, no compromise. Same for Episodes I, II and III. You’re WRONG.

Anyway, Christmas Eve came and sure enough, there were my DVDs. I was, and am, so excited to have them, even though I can watch all the Star Wars flicks on Disney+ anytime I want.

But, still, I always longed to see the original three on the big screen. And when Micon showed them, I went. The first one I saw on a Saturday afternoon, the second was on a Sunday afternoon, and the third, was actually on a Tuesday night. Thankfully, we had an early (sort of) deadline and I was able to make it in time.

They are also showing the prequel trilogy, as well as all the movies that came after, including Solo (about Han Solo when he was younger, how he met Chewie, won the Millennium Falcon in a card game and became a smuggler), which I actually saw in theatres when it premiered. However, I’m not interested in those.

I have them on DVD, I have them on Disney+ and I just wanted to see the original. And they were amazing. It was so cool, to be surrounded by all ages, as we watched the films. A New Hope was especially cool, as I couldn’t keep the smile off my face when I was in line for my ticket.

I smiled like an idiot as I sat through the previews and I squealed when the words, In a galaxy, far, far away, hit the screen and I cried at the ending, I was so happy. I wasn’t the only one who burst into applause as the credits began running.

That’s what I love about Star Wars, it really brings us together. I’m really glad I made the time to go see the movies, it’s an experience I’ll never forget – even if it took more than 40 years, for me to see the original on the big screen.