The past few weeks leading up to Ep. III have prompted me, like many of you, to look at how Star Wars has affected my life. Anytime something meaningful comes to an end, its bittersweet. I was born in 1975 and saw Ep. IV at the theaters in its second release prior to Ep. V. As young as I was, I still carry with me visions of the experience; I can still see Han leaping through the smoking vent shaft on the detention level like it was yesterday.

I often wonder if I remember it because I love Star Wars, or if I love Star Wars because it made such an impact at such a young age.

So why is it that even now, at age 29, do I often drift off in my imagination to a place where I can wield a lightsaber and deflect blaster bolts? What is it that stimulates our imaginations so greatly?

I have come to realize recently that George Lucas' greatest acheivement is not special effects innovations, movie industry influence, or even the movies themselves. George Lucas has given us another universe to completely put ourselves and our imaginations into.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not promoting the "Expanded Universe" and I'm definitely not dissing the movies. I'm saying that no amount of bad reviews, forced dialoge, or people telling me to grow up can ever take away what I have. I have a permanent, ever-present, never-failing distraction to the reality we all live in. A place where the good guys are always good and the bad guys are always bad. Thanks, George. I wish I could pay you back...

Up Next:
Part 2 - "Why it's okay to like the prequels..."