The Star Wars Franchise has captured the eyes and hearts of millions. The new chapter, The Force Awakens, released 20 years later after the original films, continues to entrance the public, with a shocking $764 million in box office tickets already sold. So, what is this hype all about? Coming from a 19 year old who has experienced the special effects of movies like Avatar, Harry Potter, and Interstellar, these movies seem ancient. I needed an explanation as to why middle aged adults wanted to scream like little girls about this sci-fi series, and dress their four year old in Chewbacca knee-high socks and send them off to grade school? Those questions remained unclear until I interviewed a true original fan. Gerry, who was born in 1964, responded to my questions and allowed me to see the film phenomenon for what it is. Star Wars is a story that he not only can relate to, but when he was a younger and more "sprite" fan, one particular character served as a role model in his life when he was growing up watching the films. I learned that the movies have lived up to up to what George Lucas once said about the films, “When I was making 'Star Wars, I wasn't restrained by any kind of science. I simply said, 'I'm going to create a world that's fun and interesting, makes sense, and seems to have a reality to it.”
When did you see your first Star Wars movie?
Gerry: “The day that Episode IV opened: May 25, 1977. I was 13 years old, and I saw it with four of my best friends.”
The first movie came out long before social media, was the hype/build-up of the film as exciting for fans as a more recent series like Harry Potter or the Hunger Games?
Gerry: “No, for the first Star Wars movie it was nothing like that. You really only heard about it from friends or on the radio. There were a few posters here and there, but nobody really knew what the movies were yet. However, the second movie, and the ones that followed, were as big if not bigger than the crowds that gets raised for Harry Potter premieres.”
Tell me about the excruciating long lines for the new Star Wars movie, is this normal behavior for Star Wars fans? Even when the first movie came out in 1977?
Gerry: “The lines for the original star wars, Episode IV were still long, but only for the first opening nights. The lines would grow as each new movie came out. By the time the second movie was released, The Empire Strikes Back, the lines for the movie were extremely long. To give you an example of how great the movies are, my best friend Paul and I waited in the line for Empire for hours, and Paul didn’t want to go to the bathroom (afraid of losing his spot in line, even after drinking a king-size soda). During the entire duration of the movie, (even though he was dying to go), he did not move from his seat, as he didn’t want to miss a second of it. I mean we weren’t even that die-hard of fans in comparison, there were Star War's fans sleeping in tents outside the theater.”
Why do fans and their children feel the need to dress up like the characters at the showing of the new film, The Force Awakens?
Gerry: “The films are a representation of the classic good versus evil, it’s like a play, or a soap opera. People identify with the characters in the movie, because they are so realistic and part of a family. As the story unfolds, it is clear that there is dark and light in many of the characters, including Vader.”
Do you feel that the new cast in The Force Awakens compares to the original cast established in 77’?
Gerry: “I don’t know, I don’t think so. I will probably get very attached to the main character, Rey, as the films go on. I don’t think she can compare to the role model that Han Solo was to me when I was a kid, but only because I grew up watching him. The movie was still “bitchin” though, no matter what critics say. I am just glad that the whole thing is still going on.”
Do you have kids Gerry? If so, did you have any specific requirements of these children before seeing the new Star Wars film twice in IMAX 3D?
Gerry: Chuckles a bit, then answers, “Yes I have kids. I think I told them to watch all of the movies. Just so they would have the same “oh my god” factor that I had when the first movie came out. I was hoping that for my three girls, the movie would seem as cool and interconnected for them as it was for me.”
What were your preparations and research of the new film before entering the theater on December 14, 2015?
Gerry: “I watched the trailers (many many many times), and watched interviews with JJ Abrams. I wanted to make sure that the franchise was being passed on to someone as equal to the original director, George Lucas. I also tried to stay off social media as much as possible. No Teasers!”
What emotions were going through your head when watching the new movie? Did it bring you back to a time of youth?
Gerry: “Yes, a couple of times. There were a couple a scenes where It felt like the movies I had grown up watching as a kid. I let the movie take me somewhere. Although critiqued, The Force Awakens still had it’s effect on me in a couple of places throughout the movie.
Why do you feel so entranced and immersed into the lives of these characters and the story of Star Wars itself?
Gerry: “I have been a big fan of space travel, and astronauts my whole life. My dad was a pilot, and I always wanted to be a pilot growing up as well. I think our planet works better, and benefits more when we invest in space travel and exploring. I love how the movies assume this high level of science and cultural integration in the future, and on another planet. How there is a mix of robots and other creatures as well, it kind of makes humans more equal to other beings, living or robotic. Maybe in the future this is plausible. It is a cool way to think of it.”
