The Force Will Be With You. Always

Written by Dean Zarbaugh II

A happy May 4th to all of you out there who celebrate this auspicious holiday. I wanted to take some time to talk about what Star Wars has meant to me since I first saw the films in theaters in the late 90’s. To say that it changed my life would be an understatement.

Let’s set the scene. It was a long time ago in a movie theater not so far away. I was 10 years old when George Lucas began releasing the special editions of the original Star Wars trilogy. I clearly remember my grandma taking my cousin and I to the theater at the local mall to see A New Hope, and it changed my entire life. It was perfect. From the moment John Williams’s iconic score kicked in, I was enthralled with the world that George Lucas had created. The story of a farm boy like me joining a band of Rebels to fight against an evil Empire bent on ruling the galaxy, and a mystical warrior known as a Jedi Knight who wields a lightsaber, a princess in distress, a slick smuggler with an awesome sidekick named Chewbacca, and a couple of droids hooked me. My eyes had been opened to a whole new universe. I loved Obi-Wan Kenobi and the mystery of the Jedi Knights. A lot of my friends loved Han the most, but I was a Luke guy. I wanted to be a Jedi and be able to wield a lightsaber. I still do if I’m being honest. I’d also love to be able to move things with my mind, but that’s because I’m lazy more than anything.

I also had to have every action figure and play set, and spent my time as a kid re-enacting the films and making up new stories. Every time my parents took me to a store with toys, I had to see if there was any new Star Wars toys. I played with them all day and night. I still have a lot of them in storage in my basement somewhere and seeing new ones in stores brings back a lot of warm memories. I’m glad that there’s still Star Wars out there for kids to enjoy.

Seeing how much I loved A New Hope, Grandma took me back to the theater for The Empire Strikes Back. Everything I liked about the first film was dialed up to 11 on Empire. The action, the adventure, the duels, the new planets and characters like Boba Fett, Yoda, and Lando Calrissian. It was a much more intense experience than A New Hope. Dagobah was one planet I never wanted to step foot on. It was cool to see Luke’s training with Yoda and learn things alongside him, like not judging a book by its cover. If you’re going to do something, commit, or don’t. “Trying” is merely an excuse for failure. Stay focused on the here and now rather than letting your mind wander to the future. Some lessons were easier than others. I can struggle with being calm and mindful when stressed and letting go of things that bother me. I felt dread when Luke left before completing his training. I was sad when Han got frozen. I was in awe at Luke and Vader’s lightsaber battle. I winced when Luke got his hand cut off by Vader. I gasped when Vader told Luke, “I am your father.” It taught me that not every movie has a happy ending, and cemented my love for Star Wars for life.

Unfortunately, for one reason or another, Grandma and I never got around to seeing Return of the Jedi in theaters, but to her credit, she called me at home one night and spent what must have been a half an hour or more telling me the biggest plot points of the movie. She was one of the best people to ever be in my life and I miss her every day. When I finally did see Jedi on VHS, I loved seeing Luke refuse to succumb to the dark side like his father. The final space battle was exhilarating and kept me on the edge of my seat. The Rebels banding together with the Ewoks to defeat the Goliath that is the Empire. It showed me that progress is made when we work together for a common goal. I cheered when Vader tossed the Emperor down that shaft to save his son’s life. Not everyone who is lost to darkness is irredeemable. There is still good in all of us. Sometimes we need someone to remind us of that every once in a while. It was a fitting end to the trilogy and left me to wonder… what happens next? The Rebellion has won, but how do they undo the damage of the Empire? Where do they go from here?

I needed to know more about the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2-D2 and C-3P0. To quench my thirst for more Star Wars, my mom began buying me the Star Wars expanded universe books which continued the exploits of The New Republic’s fight against the remnants of the Empire, and introduced a new, more lethal threat than the Empire ever was. These expanded universe books, which have sadly been de-canonized by Disney, followed Luke’s revival of the Jedi Order with Han and Leia’s kids Jacen and Jaina, alongside Luke’s son Ben, Chewie’s nephew Lowbacca, and more. It was great to read about Leia’s leadership in the New Republic, and Han and Chewie’s adventures across the galaxy. I probably read hundreds of books and comics. The books helped the films feel even more earned, getting to know what happens thirty years after the events of Return of the Jedi. I was reading three or four books a week! I couldn’t put them down. When I ran out of books, I used my action figures to act out battles and adventures that I created.

Then, the impossible happened. George Lucas announced that there were going to be three NEW Star Wars films coming out that told the story of Anakin’s fall to the Dark Side. I was hooked from the moment I saw the poster of Anakin casting Vader’s shadow. One of the best poster designs ever made.

1999 came around and my dad took me to see The Phantom Menace. Everything was new and different. It was cool seeing a young Obi-Wan Kenobi being taught by his mentor Qui-Gon Jinn. Liam Neeson brought a certain gravitas to the character that immediately drew me in. To a kid, some of the trade route discussions were a bit dry, but then the story really kicked in and it was fun seeing what the galaxy looked like before the Empire. I loved the podrace sequence. For a 12 year old boy, it was exhilarating. I was on the edge of my seat during the climactic lightsaber duel between Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Sith Lord Darth Maul, who was wielding a never before seen double-bladed lightsaber. The fight choreography was intense. It made me want to be a Jedi even more than before. I walked out of the theater making lightsaber noises and re-enacting the battle from the film. The Phantom Menace was my introduction to some of my favorite actors like Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, and Natalie Portman. They did a wonderful job drawing people into their characters and the world they inhabit. I’ve continued to follow all of their careers with great interest.

With new Star Wars movies came new Star Wars books. My mom continued finding and buying me books that told the story of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon’s adventures before The Phantom Menace. I was a voracious reader and gobbled up anything Star Wars related that I could find. My love of books stems from Star Wars, and my mom helping feed my addiction to literature. I wouldn’t be the reader I am today without her.

Attack of the Clones released in 2002 and it was the first Star Wars movie I saw alone in the theater. Much like Empire Strikes Back, Clones doesn’t end on a happy note outside of Anakin and Padme’s marriage, but that’s an omen in of itself. We got to see the arrogance of the Jedi Order that became their downfall thanks to their antiquated ways and immovable nature. The passion, fear, hatred, jealousy, and headstrong nature that started Anakin down the path to the Dark Side. I loved Obi-Wan and Anakin’s speeder chase through Coruscant. It was visually stunning and did a great job showcasing Anakin’s raw talent and how reckless he can be to get results. The Battle of Geonosis was jaw dropping. To get to see that many Jedi in action at once? I was in heaven. The climactic lightsaber battle between Obi-Wan, Anakin and Count Dooku doesn’t reach quite the same heights as the Darth Maul battle from Phantom Menace, but the Yoda vs Dooku fight sure does! It was a great showcase of Yoda’s power, and a reminder not to judge someone for how they look. I remember the applause and joy from the entire audience when Yoda pulls out his lightsaber and starts whooping on Dooku.

Revenge of The Sith released after I graduated high school. It was the first Star Wars midnight showing I ever attended. It was a blast. The vibe in the theater was tense. Everyone was on edge to see how Anakin finally fell to the Dark Side, and none of us were prepared for the slaughter from Order 66 that followed. I was surprised to see them go as far as they did in showing Anakin’s final fall from the light. The climactic battle between master and apprentice was intense and filled with emotion. On par with Maul in Menace. It was tough watching democracy die “with thunderous applause.” It was the darkest of the Star Wars films by far, and a reminder that sometimes bad guys win. It doesn’t always have to be that way and as long as people continue to stand up in the face of oppression, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.

When life would get tough or I was sad, I could seek shelter in Star Wars. Whether it was a movie, a book, or something else, it took me away from my problems and gave me a confidence boost to deal with whatever was bothering me. Star Wars taught a young me quite a lot – from good vs evil, to redemption, to standing up against injustices, and to respect people who look different from me. It taught me to look beyond my own needs, and look at the needs of those around me. It taught me not to give into feelings of jealousy, hatred, fear or greed. Most importantly, it taught me that if I get into a battle, to always get the high ground. It inspired me to become a writer and filmmaker. It inspired to become a better reader. I rewatch all of the films every year, not just for Star Wars Day, but whenever I’m in the mood for a good story. For better or worse, it’s one of the greatest film sagas of all time and we should be thanking George Lucas for this wonderful gift that keeps on giving.