“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger… anger leads to hate… hate leads to suffering.” –Yoda
This quote rings true no matter what crisis, movement, or era. The story of good versus evil and all the space in between. Growing up, Star Wars was a movie my Dad and I watched. I learned the characters, thought the space travel was cool and really enjoyed being immersed in a different world. And now as an adult, I enjoy the movies even more because I can understand the overriding themes throughout the stories told by my beloved characters.
Does this whole obsession seem totally weird to you? Are you completely clueless when it comes to the hype surrounding all things Star Wars? Well, my friend, buckle up for light speed because the Star Wars Universe is about to get even bigger. That’s right, the small budget film released in 1977, A New Hope, made history creating throngs of fans all over the world. In addition to new movies, Disney is adding new worlds to their theme parks surrounding the Star Wars franchise with experiences and rides for all to relish. Some basic knowledge will help you navigate the hype.
Where to start?
Here is a basic understanding for you when it comes to Star Wars. There is a power struggle between a Republic of elected officials and the Empire which is a dictatorship. Simultaneously, there is a struggle between good and evil which is characterized by the light side of the Force and the dark side of the Force. The Jedi are a mystical knightly order trained to guard and protect justice in the Universe. Anyone can use the Force which is an energy field created by all living things binding the galaxy together. However, some beings are stronger and more in tune with the Force than others. Here are the main characters to know when it comes to all those Star Wars references:
Anakin Skywalker: The real name of Darth Vader. You meet him as a boy in Episode 1.
Luke Skywalker: The leader of the rebel alliance, Jedi, son of Darth Vader, and brother to Leia.
Princess Leia Organa: The leader of the rebel alliance, daughter of Darth Vader, and sister to Luke.
Han Solo: The captain of the Millennium Falcon, leader of the rebel alliance, and smuggler.
Chewbacca: The legendary Wookie warrior and furry co-pilot of Han Solo.
Darth Vader: One of the strongest Jedi ever using the dark side of the Force, amongst the leadership of the Empire, father to Luke and Leia.
Now what?
Watch the movies. They are good. Funny. Sometimes ridiculous. But entertaining which is the whole point! I recommend watching the movies in chronological order of episode. That may seem obvious, but let me explain. The original movie became a trilogy (Episodes 4–6) telling the story of Luke Skywalker, his sister, Princess Leia, and their fight against the Empire. Then, in 1999, George Lucas (the writer and creator of this whole thing) decided to make three prequel movies to the three originals. These movies tell the story of how the Empire rose to power, the Jedi, and of Darth Vader (Episodes 1–3). So, even though the prequels were filmed nearly 20 years after the original films, I do recommend watching them in this order. More recently, a third trilogy has been created to tell the story of the ongoing fight of the rebellion, of Luke and Leia and some awesome newcomers (Episodes 7–9).
I love it. Tell me more!
Welcome to the club, and may the Force be with you. Experiencing the joy of Star Wars is easier than ever with the addition of theme park worlds, new movies, TV shows, and even a fully immersive hotel. Disney is even developing a Star Wars-themed hotel that has you living like they do in the movies. If you find yourself fully converted and are looking for fan groups to join, check out starwars.com for more information.
Now, just grab some hot popcorn, get comfy and press play. BAAAAH BAHHHHH BA BA BA BAAAAAAAH BAHH BA BA BA BAAAAAAH BA BABABA BAAAAAAAAAAAH!
