Isn't that exciting? Chewie we're home indeed.
I was born in 1977. I didn't catch A New Hope in the cinema, or at least, if I did, I don't remember it, but I did see The Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars, and a deeply embedded love for all things imaginative has been with me ever since. So ever since the new trailer, The Force Awakens (Episode 7) Trailer #2, officially, has been released, I've been on a Star Wars kick.
My daughter (who was born in 1996, and therefore raised on the prequels) and I rewatched the original trilogy. It was wonderful, as usual. Then she made me rewatch the prequels. I'm not like most Star Wars fanatics, in that I don't hate the prequels, but I don't care for them that much either. She does though, and as she often reminds me, "You had your childhood, dad. Let me have mine."
She's 19 years old now, but still. I know what she means.
So we've rewatched all six of the films. And the documentaries that came with our editions of the DVDs. So what next? Well, here is the best Star Wars tie-in I've been trying to expose her to:
One of the greatest video games ever made, SW: KOTOR is a classic roleplaying game set in the Star Wars universe, during the age of the ancient Galactic Republic, some four thousand years before the films.
Already famous due to Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights (both games for PC) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic brought developer BioWAre onto the Microsoft X-Box console, and into living rooms everywhere.
My daughter and I had played some Jedi Academy back in the day, but we had never played KOTOR, so when it recently went on sale at GOG.com (for 3 bucks mind you) we bought it right away.
NOTE: The game is rated T for Teen by the ESRB, so it's not necessarily appropriate for all middle grade readers. Parents please use discretion when deciding what media your children consume.
I could go on and on forever about other awesome Star Wars tie-ins, but that would be a very long post, so instead, here are some honorable mentions:
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (developed by Obsidian, and a friend of mine: lead designer Chris Avellone)
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Aftermath: Star Wars (a forthcoming novel by my friend Chuck Wendig)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Fanboys
Do you love Star Wars? Are you eagerly anticipating the release of Episode VII this Christmas? What do you do to celebrate May the Fourth?
I was 14 in 1977 and was in the cinema for the original showing of Star Wars. Mind was blown. Enough said. (And sorry if this now sounds like an old man brag, but we kids of the 70s are proud of our cultural highlights.) #70sPride
ReplyDeleteSo jealous right now.
DeleteI was in seventh grade in 1977, and I saw the movie in the theater, although I missed the first 15 minutes because my family ALWAYS missed the first 15 minutes. The closest movie theater was 45 minutes away from our home, going on Saturday was a big deal, and dad refused to leave the house until after he'd mowed the lawn. We were always late to everything.
ReplyDeleteI was in high school when Return of the Jedi came out. There was now a closer theater, and I could drive myself. I went 3 hours early on the day of the release to stand in line and buy tickets to the first showing.
There was no line.
I was such a geek.
That is so awesome, Dianne! I can't believe you missed the beginning though.
DeleteGeek Pride, Dianne.
DeleteMy family was the complete opposite to yours though. My dad--a diplomat in the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office--refused to be late for anything, including the movies!
Yeah, I was 8 in 1977 and adore Star Wars forever. (who rode Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios 12 times in a row? Yup. Me!) Was awesome to see the trilogy's 20 year anniversary on the big screen in 1997. I still remember crying over Han's predicament when I was 11 after I saw Empire Strikes Back in the movies. My hero!
ReplyDeleteHe certainly was dashing!
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