In praise of Star Wars

Tonight DH and I are going out. The babysitter is coming to feed the kids and put them to bed. We get to go get a bite to eat and go to the movies. That alone would be cause for celebration, but in our family today is more like a holiday. Today we are going to see Star Wars Episode III.

DH is a major Star Wars fan and when I say major well let's just say that if I was not around he'd be one of those people waiting in line by the movie theater for a week or more. And many people seeing his enthusiasm might think that he just pulls me along with him. However, they would be wrong. Now I won't say that I am as big of fan as he is. Really I'm not sure that is possible. But when I was a little girl I had Star Wars action figures (they're still in the toy pile at my mom's house) and among my many Barbie dolls was a Princess Leia doll. (I even think I had a Han Solo doll. Move over Ken!) I have pictures of me as a child with Princess Leia hair. I have played trivia games and held my own. I have memorized most of the first three movies. So way before I ever met DH I could be certified as a bona-fide fan.

It is hard to say how much influence the Star Wars movies had on those of us born in the 70s. Though clearly space travel never looked so cool, and age old myths and tales of coming of age never seemed so real.

Now with the first three episodes of the saga we have seen the story of Anakin Skywalker and his coming of age. (I'm not much into younger men but the picture of Hayden Christensen on the cover of GQ is incredible.) A much different story than that of his son. What will our children take away from seeing all six movies?

I've heard that Episode III is good, very good. And maybe could even stand with the original as an equal. I certainly hope so. I'll be there tonight, in my Princess Leia t-shirt (My hair is too short now to be in buns, though I'll admit I did do the bun thing for Episode I.) DH already has tickets for tomorrow afternoon and plans to go again next week. My ability to hie off to the movies is more constrained due to Q and C. But I am looking forward to tonight, probably more than most people who know me would think.

And may the force be with my babysitter as she tries to put my children to sleep.