Star Wars

By: Dustin Dietz This past class period, we discussed the phenomena behind the George Lucas film Star Wars. As many of us know, Star Wars is all around us everywhere we go. There are films, toys, clothes, cartoons, and many other items one will see daily, involved with the famous film. Today, I was in the Halloween Store purchasing my son a costume for this Wednesday evening, and I noticed close to 15 different types of Star Wars costumes for adults and children. Star Wars even had their own section of costumes. I have never quite understood the fascination with Star Wars and why the film is so popular. I realize the movie transcended film, but I have seen the movie many times and quite frankly do not understand why so many people have an obsession with the movie. My father was a huge fan of the series of films, and has taken me to all six of the Star Wars movies. I can see in my old man's eyes how much he enjoys watching storm troopers shoot laser guns, but I am pretty indifferent towards the entire film because I have never been particularly intrigued by fantasy and science fiction. Millions and millions of people live and die by Star Wars. I try to empathize with them because I obsess with Rangers baseball in the same manner. However, Rangers baseball begins every spring and is reality, while Star Wars has had 6 films in 35 years and is fiction. Star Wars fans dress up like their favorite Star Wars characters such as Darth Vadar and Luke Skywalker, and most of us who do not fantasize about saving the galaxy ridicule them for being nerds. The same people who tease Star Wars fans wear the favorite jersey of their favorite player to the stadium on game day to watch the game. I guess one could argue both actions are one in the same. Maybe I should do a better job of empathizing with Star Wars fans since I enjoy to escape my reality with another type of reality. After all, Star Wars fans are pretty much doing the same thing, except they are escaping their reality with something fictitious. I guess the best thing to do is accept those who enjoy the film and realize there is enough room in the world for both of us. Accepting the film is much better than the Star Trek fans who clash with Star Wars fans over which space fantasy is better. Now, that is certainly more counterproductive.