In July, 1977, I was sitting in the front row at a movie theater (with a date who shall remain nameless) in the old Fayetteville Mall multiplex in Fayetteville, NY. I was 15. As we settled in with our popcorn, I was a little nervous about my date. He had roving octopus hands. A nice guy, fun to go out with, but when it got dark, you needed a Taser to keep him in line.
Then it happened…. ten magical words that scrolled up the screen: “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…”
He didn’t touch me once. We sat mesmerized by the entire movie, and walked out like every one else in the theater – stunned – at what we had just witnessed.
If you are younger than 35, it’s hard to understand the impact that the original Star Wars had on us. Until that point, movies meant “Herbie and Love Bug”, or “The Sting”. There had never been anything that came close to the special effects, or solid story telling (the pacing of that original is flawless IMHO). If the movie kept Mr. Octopus Hands in check, you know it was good.
Which brings me to today’s question: should I see the new one? I have heard vastly different opinions. Some people say it is horrible, poorly written, and a waste of time. Others claim to have had religious experiences of joy and ecstasy. And the third group says, it’s good enough for $8.
Have any of you guys seen it? What do you think?
PS – Mr. Octopus Hands did not last long with me. I threw him back in the ocean.