The Time: May 19, 1977

The Setting: Your Local Theatre

The Event: Star Wars

Imagine it: You're sitting in a darkened theatre with your friends, munching popcorn. You have no idea what this movie is about, but you love Science Fiction and are probably a fan of the show Star Trek. Something courses through you as the 20th Century Fox fanfare blares over the speakers and you brace yourself.

The initial blast of that now-familiar theme blows you away, and you find yourself thrust into the middle of a story. Yes, you're watching events that seem to be heading into some sort of conclusion right from the get-go, even as you are introduced to those spunky droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO.

The menacing form of this unknown villain and the beauty of Princess Leia captivate you and you're sucked into this Galaxy far, far, away. You're Luke Skywalker, caught in the throes of growing up; wanting desperately to break into adulthood, yet unable to do so because of restrictions you don't entirely understand.

The first time you see that laser-sword and hear the word 'Jedi', you begin to wonder who these Jedi Knights were and whether they were truly as great and as revered as Old Ben and Luke make them out to be.

Aliens, strange music, and rogues all permeate your senses. Han Solo and Chewbacca are your new best friends and suddenly, you're aboard this monster space station called a Death Star. You swashbuckle your way through the stormtroopers and rescue the princess from certain death.

You feel the sharp sting of loss when Darth Vader cuts down old Ben; you feel the  triumph of escaping imprisonment on the Death Star; the sense of purpose as you help plan the attack on the space station invigorates you...

And the feeling of accomplishment and heroics crests over you like a wave, as warm as the sunlight and as powerful as if you had actually been there.

Which you have. You have now taken you first steps into a larger world, and the journey - though you fell into it somewhere near the midpoint and it was seemingly over before you began - is only just starting...

 IMDB - Star Wars ; Discuss this Movie

From as far back as I can remember, Star Wars has been a part of my life and now, about 20 years later, the theme music still makes me giddy. I have forever and always associated the Fox Fanfare with Star Wars and according to my dad, I used to run into the room whenever I heard it.

For those of you unfamiliar with Star Wars, you probably don't understand the insanity that seems to go hand-in-hand with being a fan. I won't add much more to this, than to link you to what I have said previously on the subject: READ HERE