It’s Star Wars Day, and I cannot let this occasion go uncommented upon.
“The Phantom Menace” is back in theaters on the 25th anniversary of its release, and I am frankly shocked that there is now a whole generation that looks back at the prequel trilogy with nostalgia. My children are among them.
As I have documented on New South Essays in the past, I was obsessed with the “Star Wars” science fiction films growing up, and I did my part in teaching my own boys to appreciate the space opera.
While the original was my “first step into a larger world,” it was the second installment of the series that produced the most shock and awe. That came in 1980 when my mother took my brother Lee and I to see “The Empire Strikes Back” at a large theater in Fort Worth. We had been waiting for three years, and it was Lee’s first chance to experience “Star Wars” storytelling on the big screen.
The payoff matched the anticipation, and I was thoroughly engrossed from the opening scene-setting screen crawl to the climactic lightsaber duel between the evil Darth Vader and the young jedi knight in training, Luke Skywalker. When Vader maimed Luke by cutting off his hand, it truly felt that evil was going to triumph. My heart was in my throat as Darth menaced the wounded and defenseless Luke and invited him to join the dark side. His appeal rejected, Darth Vader then made the all-time most surprising reveal in movie history.
Spoiler alert: He had not killed Luke’s father. He was Luke’s father.
From that moment on, all other cinematic surprises would be compared to that plot twist. My age and impressionability caused the moment to be deeply imprinted on me like no other piece of entertainment had before or probably since.
So as you remember when this hero’s journey came to the silver screen, may you cherish your special Star Wars memories and trust your training. Save you, it can.
What are your Star Wars memories? Share by leaving a comment below, and May the Force be with you.
New South Essays 
My son went with his father for the first one. I think Vic
was three or four!
When Vic was taking piano lessons he wanted to learn the Star Wars theme. He did and promptly quit piano. He had learned what he wanted!
His friend David and he played Star Wars for hours. They were the same age. His mother mentioned that to me recently (she still lives in Baxley) and called it “fun times.” I agree!
I remember whenever I vacuumed I had star war guns and Barbie shoes to get out of the vacuum bag! Many of both!! All to make children happy!!
Renee
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