The “Star Wars” Geek: For some, the term can be
insulting; for others, empowering. But for most, it’s just
downright embarrassing.
“You don’t want the first thing people know about
you to be that you love “˜Star Wars,'” said
second-year economics student Marshall Jaquish. “Especially
with girls. You never hear “˜Oh, I want a guy that’s
really into wookies.”
Still, that’s not stopping Jaquish from getting excited
about seeing the premiere of the newest and final addition to the
George Lucas series, “Revenge of the Sith.” Lucky for
him, he normally goes to these types of events incognito. For the
1998 premiere of “Episode I: The Phantom Menace,” he
was decked out in full costume as the horned Sith Lord Darth
Maul.
“I actually lost a bet and had to stay in the mask all
day,” said Jaquish. “I couldn’t believe the
people that actually stayed dressed up by choice.”
Jaquish is part of the younger generation of “Star
Wars” fans: kids who grew up in a culture where everything
from light sabers to Yoda’s witticisms were commonplace.
But for a film that has spanned nearly three decades, affecting
a new, even younger audience is a challenge Lucas has faced with
the release of every new film. With new viewers and hardcore fans
alike awaiting the completion of last piece of the “Star
Wars” puzzle, “Sith” has a lot to live up to
compared with the success of the original trilogy.
“Back in the olden days, when Lucas was the original, it
was cutting edge for its time,” said UCLA film history
professor Jonathan Kuntz. “Lots of its charm came from the
visual effects, which were stunning. Today all that is old
hat.”
In a decade where movies from “The Matrix” to
“The Lord of the Rings” continue to push the envelope
visually, “Star Wars” is now just one of many when it
comes to jaw-dropping effects.
“We were raised on computer animation, and that’s
why the newer movies are more action-oriented. You have to go a lot
further to impress out generation,” said Jaquish.
Roommate Wars
While Jaquish waits to make his final verdict on
“Sith,” the reluctance to admit to being a “Star
Wars” fan has definitely affected more than just him alone.
Just ask second-year economics student Tanya Barnett.
“It’s not the first thing that I’ll come out
and tell someone,” agreed Barnett.
Still, that hasn’t prevented Barnett from creating a
thefacebook.com group declaring her love for the galaxy far, far
away. Her “Anti-Anti Star Wars” group has gained more
than just a few fans.
According to Barnett, she created the group in opposition to her
roommate’s dislike of the sci-fi classic, and it has sparked
more than a little tension between the two girls.
“I know I won’t like it, so why waste my
time?” said Elizabeth Harrison, a second-year communications
student and Barnett’s roommate, who has never seen any of the
“Star Wars” films.
“I have seen these types of fantasy movies, and I’ve
just never been into the future ““ you know, stuff
that’s not ever going to happen.” said Harrison.
“I’d rather just watch “˜The Notebook’ or
something.”
And while Barnett’s pleas for her to give the series a try
have been unsuccessful, Harrison is not alone in her disapproval of
the latest Star Wars films. Many fans of the series were
disappointed by the two most recent films, citing poor dialogue as
reason for their disapproval.
Barnett plans to travel to her home in Santa Barbara tonight to
see the films’ final installation, a tradition she has had
with her family and friends ever since the release of
“Phantom.” As for Harrison, she has other plans for
this weekend, and they will not include being anywhere near a movie
theater.
“I think that if I actually did see it, it would be so
awful,” said Harrison. “I can’t step down
now.”
Waiting in line
“Here’s me kissing Boba Fett,” said Heather
Morgan, who had traveled from Ventura to Westwood almost 28 hours
early to wait in line for the first midnight screening of
“Sith.”
Morgan, along with her boyfriend, shared pictures they had taken
at a cross-country “Star Wars” convention with other
“Star Wars” enthusiasts sitting outside
Westwood’s famous Fox Theater on Tuesday night. They spent
time sharing everything from past “Star Wars” memories
to a general lack of sleep.
But with ages ranging from 19 to nearly 50, age was one thing
separating Lucas’ biggest fans.
Morgan, who first saw the original “A New Hope” as a
child, is expecting the film to bring a lot together for her as an
adult. But her job as an elementary school teacher has lead her to
believe that love for the intergalactic tale crosses many
generations.
“The Force is just as strong with the younger kids,”
said Morgan. “I see them on the playground all the time
acting out (scenes).”
As many older fans know, seeing the film for the first time on
the big screen has had a lasting impact on their lives that most
children would have a hard time relating to.
“For the modern audience, “˜Star Wars’ has
always been part of their lives; it’s something they were
born into,” said Kuntz. “For older generations,
(“˜Sith’) is going to tie everything up. They’ll
go see this seeking something they felt from the original films (of
the ’70s).”
But whether the appeal is a personal connection or just a good
story line has always been up for debate. For UCLA screen-writing
professor Richard Walter, who worked with Lucas on the first two
drafts of “American Graffiti,” the reasons behind
“Star Wars'” success is unbeknown even to the
creator himself.
“Beware of anybody who can explain this phenomenon,”
said Walter in a recent e-mail. “It is an achievement that is
truly staggering, and there is no explanation for it.”
An explanation might be as evasive as some people’s
“hidden” love for the famous series. Still, for new-
generation fans who hide behind Darth Maul masks like the one once
donned by Jaquish, there are times when even they can reveal who
they really are.
“I talked to my little brother for the first time in a
month the other day,” said Jaquish. “And the first
thing out of his mouth was “˜Star Wars.'”