My “Star Wars” Journey

From the time I was eight-years-old, I was a massive “Star Wars” fan.

In the fall of 2008, I had just entered the third grade and was looking forward to another year of school. Back then, I was super into U.S. History, Disney/Pixar films and classic cartoons like Tom and Jerry and Looney Tunes. During this time, I also saw advertisements for a science fiction animated film that had been released in August. 

That film was “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” I thought that it looked decent enough and, when it was playing at my cousins’ house, I sat down and watched it. I had no idea that this would introduce me to an incredible franchise that continues to inspire me. 

After watching “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” I was wondering two things: ‘what the hell did I watch’ and ‘where can I see more?’ I immediately asked around school about “Star Wars” and I found out from someone that there were six films at Main Street Video in Farmer City. I immediately asked my parents if I could watch “Star Wars” and I proceeded to rent the six films in chronological order over the course of a week. I loved every single one of them, including the prequels, and became entranced by the Jedi Knights, the lightsabers they wielded and the all powerful Force.

Before I knew it, I was hooked onto “Star Wars” and did everything I could to gain a larger understanding of the universe George Lucas created. Not only did I watch all of the movies whenever I could, but I also started watching “The Clone Wars” television show, collected action figures, read books about “Star Wars” and started building LEGO sets based on “Star Wars.” I practically lived and breathed “Star Wars” after I watched the films. I dressed as the characters for Halloween, had “Star Wars” sheets and, every Valentine's day, my classmates got “Star Wars” cards. 

One of the things on my bucket list is to go to Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World and experience the magic of “Star Wars” brought to life.

Time went on and I discovered other things to obsess over along with “Star Wars” including “Star Trek,” “Doctor Who,” “The Lord of the Rings” and “Harry Potter” but I always kept “Star Wars” in my mind. I felt sad that I missed the theatrical releases of the Original and Prequel trilogies and longed for another “Star Wars” film. But it seemed impossible.

However, in 2012, I learned that George Lucas had sold Lucasfilm to Disney and that Disney would make a new trilogy of “Star Wars” films. While I was sad that the creator of “Star Wars” no longer had any input, I was happy that there would be a new series of films for my generation. 

Then, in November 2014 when I was a freshman in high school, a less-than-two-minute trailer was released on YouTube and I went nuts. Suddenly the idea of a new “Star Wars” film wasn’t that far away. I started showing everyone in school that a new “Star Wars” film was on the horizon and I couldn’t wait for December 2015.

After over a year of anticipation, I finally got the chance to see “The Force Awakens” on the big screen. My dad, brother and I all went to see the film on opening night and we were surrounded by people in costumes, all excited for the first “Star Wars” film in ten years. When the words “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away” appeared on the screen, I got the chills and spent the next two and a half hours in pure joy at what I watched. I finally had a “Star Wars” film I could call my own.

In the following years, more “Star Wars” films and properties came out including the rest of the sequel trilogy, two anthology films and more television shows including “The Mandalorian.” While some people have said we’ve been getting too much “Star Wars,” and I understand that viewpoint, I am so happy that I can experience “Star Wars” films on the big screen for the first time. 

“Star Wars,” to this day, remains one of the most special things I have encountered. It introduced me to a new world of characters and philosophies and remains my favorite franchise of all time. I still am massively addicted to “Star Wars” and have never stopped showing my love of the franchise. I still wear t-shirts, collect memorabilia like action figures and LEGOS and I watch the films multiple times a year. The future is bright for this franchise and I can’t wait to see the films, television series and whatever else comes from this world.