 |
| Source |
Geddit?
Are you a Star Wars fan? If not, you're probably puzzling over that greeting. But, even if you're not a fan, Star Wars is such an pervasive cultural icon, it's almost impossible not to know at least the general gist of the story.
Just in case anyone reading hasn't seen the movie (IS there anyone who hasn't??) the fourth of May each year has been dubbed "Star Wars Day" by fans because of its similarity to the line from the movie: "May the force be with you."
At the danger of dating myself terribly, I remember going to see Star Wars at the cinema back when it first came out. Mostly I remember my younger brother's saucer-like eyes after it finished. He became, from that day on, an avid sci fi geek. I happily rode on his coat tails, watching Dr Who with him from behind the couch (those tinfoil monsters were scary!) and even staying up late to watch randomly-scheduled Star Trek Next Generation episodes. (Anyone out there have a teen crush on Riker? *cough* *blush* No, me either.)
On the scale of sci fi geekdom, I'd describe myself as averagely geeky. Geeky enough to get references when they're peppered into pop culture. Geeky enough to be disappointed in the new Star Wars movies. Not geeky enough to collect figurines. However I did just recently buy myself this awesome t-shirt, and you'll have to decide for yourself just how geeky it makes me...
 |
| Because I like a little chic with ma geek... (You can have one too! Buy it here.) |
Princess Leia is a pretty awesome heroine when you stop to think about it. She's the leader of the rebel alliance, risking everything to fight against the evil empire. She back chats Darth Vadar fearlessly and then faces torture at his hands with just the slightest quiver. She fights stormtroopers with men, Wookies and Ewoks by her side. Even when forced to wear that gold bikini (and thus inspiring the nighttime fantasies of millions of guys around the world) she manages to convey how very put out she is about the whole business, and then she strangles her captor with the chain he'd used to imprison her.
Go Leia!
When the sexy hero, Han Solo, falls for her, she plays it cool. In a movie full of pretty terrible dialogue, Leia arguably has the best line of anyone: when Han tells her he loves her, she simply replies with "I know."
So, happy Star Wars Day to you. Even if you're not a fan, I don't think there's anything wrong with us all getting our Princess Leia on today. Put your hair in braids (wrapping them into buns around your ears is entirely your decision). Fight for what you believe in. Back chat authority. You could even, if you want, get your gold bikini out of the closet. (It's a little too cold in Melbourne for that right now, though...)
How geeky do your rate yourself on the sci fi geek scale? Have you seen ALL the Star Wars movies?
27 comments:
I have never understood why people like Star Wars. Star Trek, I do like. Apples & Oranges!!
I Love Star Wars and Star Trek. Fantastic story telling for a geek like me!
Love, love, love Star Wars IV,V & VI (the original three:)
Not only was I Pricess Leia for Halloween in the 2nd grade. I was Princess Leia when my kids were in 2nd Grade. Actually a few times. My son's have been Jawa, Boba Fett, a Clone Trooper-- all homemade costumes. A spray painted gallon milk carton made a great Boba Fett mask.
We own all six movies. Even the cheesey new episodes. I've only watched those once. My kids enjoy them. But I'll watch the original trilogy over and over and over.
My kids are working on playing the music on their sax and piano. I guess I could break down and buy them the sheet music.
When my oldest son was in preschool he had anger issues. We would hum Darth Vader's theme to let him know when he was gettiing too upset.
So, yeah, I guess you could say we are fans.
Semi-geek here--though much of that geekness might be blamed on a crush on Harrison Ford. Love the Star Wars movies, but the first three were hands-down the best. Loved Star Trek, also.
"May the fourth be with you." I'm not enough of a geek to have heard that, but I do love the movies. Talk about an empire. Thanks for the great post, Emmie!
Okay, fine. I'll admit to loving Star Wars. After all, it's romance, action, adventure and strange creatures all balled into one, an epic struggle bwteen evil and good. What's not to love? And I love the shirt.
Oh, and one of my favorite lines is in the last movie (um, the third) when Obi Wan tells Anakan (sp?) that only Siths deal in absolutes. I always liked that concept and the fact that some narrow-minded people think there is only one way. Obi Wan is so smart.
May the Fourth be With You!
I guess I am a semi geek. I had the biggest crush on Harrison Ford. Saw all the movies in the theater, plus I watch them all the time on TV.
The Empire Strikes Back is still my favorite.
I wouldn't rate myself as much of a geek but I do love the original Star Wars trilogy *g*
Never understood the appeal of Star Trek though :-)
I loved the old star wars movies (IV, V, VI) but after seeing the first one (I) of the new set, I didn't like it as much and never saw the other two. I still watch reruns of the first three though!
Hi Marybelle! It is apples and oranges, isn't it? I probably like Star Trek a little more than Star Wars, but I'll definitely still watch both.
Scarlet -- I'm the same, the story telling is what sucks me in to both "universes". I think Star Trek has some amazing episodes, as well as some pretty ordinary ones -- just like Star Wars (the original movies compared to the later ones...)
I'm totally with you, Rogenna. The first three movies are by far the best.
Kristina I wish we had Halloween in Australia -- I'd love to dress up as Princess Leia sometime! Clearly your family are all big fans -- I love humming the Darth Vadar tune to your stroppy son, that's awesome!
Pamela, I think a crush on Harrison Ford is an entirely reasonable reason to like Star Wars. Harrison was amazing in so many things, although I haven't liked too much of his more recent stuff...
Mary, I'm glad I could bring "May the Fourth" in your life, lol!
Thanks Liz -- glad that someone else likes the shirt! ;) Agree, Obi Wan was full of good advice, as was Yoda.
Tammy, I've heard that apparently Empire Strikes Back is the "critics choice" as the best of the original three. I'm not sure which I'd class as my favourite. I think as a kid it was probably Return of the Jedi, but as an adult I think I'm probably leaning towards the first one, "A New Hope" (or just plain "Star Wars" as we knew it...)
Well Beth, there you go. You and Marybelle must be sure never to go to the DVD store together... :)
I can certainly see why people would like one and not the other -- they are pretty different. I do like both, although I think they each have their strengths and weaknesses.
Snookie, I definitely like the first three best. I have seen the final three (or really, the "first" three -- it's so confusing!) at the cinema, but I haven't watched them again since. I suppose I will, one day. Although I don't know if I can cope with that Jar Jar Binks thing again... ;)
Have seen them all but loved the original 3 movies. I'm another sci-fi fan. Star Trek all variations, Babylon 5,Battlestar Galactica original version, Flash Gordon(now I'm dating myself),and original War of the Worlds. Have some things collected from Star Trek and Babylon 5.
Ruth -- I wasn't so much into Babylon 5, but I did love the original Battlestar Galactica. Dirk Benedict as Starbuck! *swoon* I haven't watched the new version, but it's on my list -- from everything I've heard, it sounds pretty interesting.
I did see one of the original three movies but I'm not sure which one. I did watch some Star Trek episodes on TV. I rate very low on the scale.
Off the topic ~ I read Cassie's Grand Plan and really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to your next book, coming in August.
Kaelee -- I certainly don't mind you going off topic with a comment like that! :) Thank you -- I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Not a geek bone in my body :-) Never seen a Star Wars movie, not into Star Trek, can't stand Dr Who (and could care less who gets the role when it changes). I'm a failure as a geek, an utter failure.
Nice post, Emmie. You actually make me feel like heading to the movie rental store :-)
Louise, I'm shocked! NEVER seen Star Wars?? I'd heard tales of people who hadn't seen it, but I didn't know I actually KNEW one of them!! We will have to remedy this! :)
Post a Comment