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A Reflection Of Our Love Of The Force And The Impact Star Wars Has Had

Posted by Paul | December 17, 2015 at 09:05 AM ET

JTA contributor and behind-the-scenes man Martin Malacara reflects on his love for Star Wars as he prepares for The Force Awakens. It's the eve of the film, although most of us will be seeing it tonight. And the arrival of this day has made us all a little bit introspective. Click through for more. (no spoilers.... be not afraid)

Heroes.

Everyone wants to either be one, worship one, or needs one.

Ever since humanity learned how to paint pictographs on walls, we’ve felt the need to express admiration for any type of hero. We are a race of story tellers. It’s woven into our DNA. Doing so enables what we admire most about them—either real or fictional—to survive into the future.

As a nine-year-old boy growing up in South Texas, my heroes came from the pages of literature—and yes, that includes comic books. I’ll spare you the roster, but needless to say, I would encounter new heroes on the silver screen. My brother and I had seen the movie trailers for a new motion picture simply entitled, “Star Wars.” Up to that point, most science-fiction movies during the 1970s were pretty schlocky. The better ones were meant for older kids or adults, but we weren’t allowed to see those. This movie, however, would be meant for all ages. And boy, would it ever be so vastly different.

My brother and I were totally blown away by the special effects. We’d never seen spaceships move with apparent ease and such realism. We could have never imagined anything as beautiful and cool as a lightsaber. Our imaginations took us along for a ride on those ships, which introduced us to so many incredibly different characters. Jawas became my generation’s munchkins. Wookiees replaced Toto, and could fly spaceships. And robots—droids—could translate all the alien languages and help get you out of tight jams. We’d also see and learn how friends never leave you behind and how sometimes sacrifice is a necessary part of helping others live.

The best part of this movie is one had many heroes to choose, like the farm boy with a hidden power within himself, the smuggler who was more like the farm boy’s cooler older brother, or the space princess who could match wits and guts with the smuggler or any bad guy that crossed her path. Even if all the characters weren’t true heroes, you could revel in their uniqueness and marvel at how seamlessly they navigated their universe. You could see how they brought such flavor—and grit and grime—to their worlds. Yes, space wasn’t antiseptic like on the original Star Trek television show. Space had that lived-in look, however unkempt, and aliens straddled the bar at the local cantina to drown their sorrows and hoped everyone would forget their names.
George Lucas may have invented a space opera/fairy tale, which had its roots handed down from Gilgamesh, the Bible, tales of King Arthur’s knights, and Japanese samurai, with an occasional nod to Flash Gordon, but served as a reflection of all modern aspects—hopes and strife—of modern society. Yes, Star Wars is allegorical, without being heavy handed about it.

Of course, I’d learn all this much later. As a nine-year-old, all I cared about was where I could get my own lightsaber and Millennium Falcon, and if I could get them for Christmas. I did get my first action figure for Christmas 1977. It was one of the Sandpeople. My brother and I were hooked and couldn’t get enough Star Wars related merchandise. As time passed, however, I lost interest in toy collecting, but not in Star Wars. When the final movie in the original trilogy came to pass in 1983, the magical mystical ride came to an end. I had all the movies on VHS, and then Laserdisc, to bring back my childhood every now and then.

Then in 1997, something wonderful happened. Lucasfilm announced it would re-release the original trilogy in theaters, with the promise of another set of movies—prequels—to follow. I didn’t have much of a problem with the revamped movies—collectively known as the Special Edition. I enjoyed seeing them again for the first time, albeit slightly altered—or ruined, depending on who you ask. This time, I’d invite my young nephew along for the ride to share the magic with the next generation.

Unfortunately, the new movies paid more attention to what new digital technology could do for audiences on the screen than executing good storytelling. I enjoyed some aspects of the new trilogy, but couldn’t help feel jaded, however, buy the digital gimmickry and blitzkrieg marketing used at the time. It was downright shameless. Had the magic run its course?

Apparently not.

For you see, others from my generation who’d grown up enthralled with the original movies had become adults. The magic and their heroes didn’t die—not to them anyway. They, along with the new proprietors of Lucasfilm—that’s right—that bowtie-wearing mouse, would re-introduce the magic—and more new aliens—once again to an even newer generation. They’ve done their part keeping most everything about the new movie a secret, and now the world awaits—with palpable anticipation— “The Force Awakens.” It brings back our old heroes, and pairs them up with younger ones in order to pass the torch. Together, they’ll stand up and oppose those who would douse the light of truth. They will punch new galactic bullies right in their noses and make for a quick end to tyranny. If only real life were so easy.

For true fans, this movie is like getting a second day to celebrate Christmas. It brings with it as many hopes and dreams—and perhaps a few new toys—as the real holiday, but thanks to the Internet, now everyone can share the fun at the same time. I’m lucky to belong to a special community of Star Wars collectors who share the same passion as I, and can do so with a swipe on a smartphone. How wonderful a mere movie could motivate and resonate with the world.

Imagine if everyone could do the same thing to put an end to poverty, hunger, disease, and greed. Who knows? Maybe the movie will get seen by the right young minds who will eventually grow up to do just that. Maybe older fans like myself will share the magic with their grandkids and remember what it’s like to believe in heroes once again and take a bigger part in making their corner of the planet a better place.

That’s the real hero of this movie—inspiration.

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