A MUST READ FOR ALL STAR WARS FANS

Rating: 8/10 (23 December 2019)

I first saw Star Wars in the theater in 1980. they had re-released it and it was a double feature that showed Star Wars and Empire back to back. I was like 7 years old. Our parents set us loose with money in our pockets and all the kids in my neighborhood (with out our mommy and daddies holding our hands) packed the theater on a Saturday afternoon. We chose our own candy and made a ruckus in the theater. It was great. Something you won't see much of today. Kids left alone without chaperones. These days Parents put helmets and leashes on their brats just to cross the street. Kids who have their own cell phones and credit cards and are only allowed to eat gluten free. I can't express how culturally awesome it was back then. No fears of weirdos shooting up theaters or waiting to nab a kid and put them into the sex trade in another country. Star Wars represented for my generation a chance to explore our imaginations both in cinema and in our social choices. Star wars felt "Grown Up" and any one back then (my age) saying they were not frightened by darth vader, is straight-up lying to you. That dude was all kinds of freaky scary. And we were totally shocked when He tells luke that he is Luke's Father. Some of the kids cried. I remember feeling like I had been deceived for the few years waiting for Jedi to conclude... because Vader had to be lying... It just couldn't be true.
Two days ago I went to see The Rise of Skywalker. I was there, first in my theater to snag the best seat in the house an hour early... after decades of loving Star Wars and ready to be entertained. I was hoping my cynical adult attitude could just let down my guard and allow me to be a kid again. Where I could just enjoy the experience. Let's face it, folks, Star Wars is not a Martin Scorsese or Stanly Kubrick picture. It should not be held to the degree of scrutiny of those films. It is not for Arthouse cinema snobs (like myself). It was not made for cynical a$$holes who have forgotten what it's like to be a kid. Star Wars is not there to make you think, or ponder a deeper meaning of expressionism on celluloid. It's a thrill ride. It's intended audience is Children. Its intent is to be FUN and exciting. Like a roller coaster during a visit to an amusement park. (without the lines). I can say honestly that the Rise of Skywalker DELIVERED! BIG TIME.
I could dwell on the flaws in the film. Its easy to do (as a cynical adult) I could mention things I didn't like about the story, as if my opinion has some sort of importance to the franchise (it doesn't). I could talk about the moments where I found my self thinking "That's not supposed to happen in Star Wars" ... but then I would really be forgetting the fact, that This film wasn't made for that type of scrutiny. It was made to be a wild romp. A visual spectacle. It was made, to be FUN.
Sitting behind me about one row back was a kid. A kid who cheered and talked through the whole flick. He clapped at awesome times. He yelled at the "Bad guys" and he wasn't going to let any adult cynicism ruin the show for him. (he probably wouldn't even understand what a cynic even is if you told him).
An adult sitting next to me smirked a bit at the kid. And at that moment I was transported as if magically back to that Saturday afternoon in 1980. For 2 hours I was 7 years old again. I laughed, I was thrilled, I ate sugary foods. I cheered. I clapped When Bad Guys got what they deserved. And I worried When good guys took losses.
I saw old friends on the screen that I grew up with, and some newer ones I have come to love (and hate) over the past 6 years. It was a great feeling to live carefree again like I did back in 1980, from my parent's watchful eyes and away from the cynical horrors of our world's reality. The film ended and I felt good after watching it. I felt alive and energized, As If I had just taken a sip from the fountain of youth.
I wanted to get up from my seat and thank the kid behind me, for teaching me a serious lesson about life. But the kid didn't hang around after the credits rolled for me to thank him. The lesson the young padawan taught me was to live in the moment and enjoy the things around me. To be free to truly buy the ticket and take the ride.
I'm still in the "glow" from the wonders on the screen. I wish all the cynical film snobs could experience this film the way I got to. Sadly soon the reality of life kicks back in and the horrors on the news take over. The reality of adulthood take over again. But for just that one moment, It all went away. Making life seem worth the trouble. Thank you George Lucas, Thank you Disney, Thank You JJ Abrams for a lifetime of great memories... and thank you Mystery kid... the mega star wars fan sitting one row behind me. Thank you for showing me how to enjoy the wonders of the cinema again.