It was the summer of 1977. I was nine and sitting in Canton Corners movie theater. The lights went dim and something magical happened: The Dolby sound cranked up and a giant Imperial Star Destroyer zoomed across the screen. My world was rocked. Ive been a Star Wars fan ever since (I prefer the Original trilogy, thank you very much). I loved the first movie -- which is the fourth movie which was once known as Star Wars but now it known as A New Hope. It had everything a nine-year old could want: Space ships, lasers, a bad-A bad guy, robots, a Wookiee, a rogue hero, a Jedi knight. I wanted to be Luke Skywalker (minus the whining, of course). I knew all my childhood dreams could come true. Like Luke escaped Tatoonie, Id leave my middle-class suburban life behind for adventure. Id get a medal from a princess for blowing up a Death Star. But all these years later, its New Hopes sequel that I really love. Ill forgive George Lucas for Jar Jar for a moment and say this, the man crafted an amazing story. Not only did the world he create fire my imagination, I learned story structure. A New Hope was the first act in a three-act play. Good guys win. In Return of the Jedi, the third (but really the sixth) movie the good guys triumphed. But like an Oreo, the middle contained the good stuff. The Empire Strikes back remains one of my favorite all-time movies. Why? The bad guys rocked! Luke Skywalker got his butt kicked all over the galaxy. Dont believe me? Heres a list: 1. He got attacked by Bumbles the Abominable Snowman. 2. He then was stuffed in a stinky Tauntan. 3. He gets a kiss from his sister. 4. His gunner Dak was smushed like a bug. 5. He crashes in a swamp. 6. Yoda crushes him with a broken-syntax wisdom and Cross-fit. 7. He discovers he has the worst father in the galaxy. 8. Instead of a hug, his dad chops his hand off. 9. He takes a plunge to avoid the dark side. 10. A lot of bad stuff happens to his friends (Han gets turned into a coffee table for example.) The second act is always when the bad stuff happens. Its when the good guys are tested. Its when all hell breaks loose. Luke and company couldnt have won in Jedi without the lessons learned in Empire. George Lucas packed a lot of wisdom into Empire. Yoda could have written fortune cookies after all. But as I am older, I really can relate to the three-act structure. Like Luke, I achieved my dream. Then I had some bad stuff happen (I have my hand still thankfully, never have kissed my sister and have a cool dad). Now Im ready for the third act. You know, the act when all the good happens. I just hope it doesnt include Ewoks (Yub Nub). P.S. Han shot first. P.S.S. I look forward to the new movies. Dont screw it up J.J.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 20:55:17 +0000
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