Greetings,
I was a 7-year old boy when I watched "Star Wars," now known as "A New Hope" or episode IV (4 to you and me...) in 1977. I saw it in Londrina, a major town in the state of Parana in Brazil. As usual, it was a rainy evening. The reason I wanted to see the movie was that I saw a picture of a bantha, being obsessed with dinosaurs, I thought it was a pre-historic movie. Then I saw a preview of it... that scene of Luke and Han running through the Death Star, then I thought: "Oh my God! Space dinosaurs and man-robots!" I had to see it.
When eventually I watched the movie, my mind was blown. I may have been the most obsessed Brazilian boy when it came to Star Wars. My parents (actually my mom really) tried several interventions... to no avail. I was hooked.
As I sat in the theater earlier today with my wife (who also had Star Wars as a faithful companion through her life), and my kids, it dawned on me that this was a journey of almost 40 years. Lots of things have happened in my life. Moving to different countries, dealing with life and death, meeting and leaving people, making right and wrong choices, realizing your place in the universe may not be what you thought it was going to be. You know... life in general.
To put it in context, I am a huge fan, and I read many of the books and comics, and played most of the games, including the not so successful series of role playing games. I am a Star Wars fan.
Suddenly, "A long time ago. In a Galaxy far, far away..." The allergies must have gotten to me because you know... there were a few tears. Yes, it was allergies damn it!
I lived and perhaps suffered through the first trilogy, and the last two movies (which I enjoyed more than the first trilogy). I avoided all spoilers somehow, because I like to make my own informed opinions, not what other people tell me.
As a long time fan, I enjoyed the last movie. It ties many loose ends. It rights many perceived wrongs, in my opinion.
Damn it the allergies!!!
All I can say is that I will buy it when it comes out in streaming and blue ray. It was 2.5 hours long, and it did not feel like it. It was a captivating experience. Sorry if I offend anyone but there were no Jar-Jars or Rose Ticos (well, in a position to divert the plot) to spoil the mood or story.