Pre-Awakening

     Every nerd worth his or her salt has had their own ideas and opinions about Star Wars and where it's going. Every nerd blogger worth his or her digital ink has written out theories, anecdotes and critiques about where the saga has been. Including me. But I don't count. Because I don't care.

     Maybe that's too harsh. When the original Star Wars was released in 1977, I didn't see it in the theater. I was busy being born. In truth, I have no idea when I saw it. I have no idea when and where I saw Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi. If I asked my parents they'd shrug and mumble "I dunno..." before moving on to talking about the weather. They don't care either. I only know that I recognized Star Wars for what it is when I was old enough to cherish toys. Because that's all that mattered then. I knew it and George Lucas knew it. I took advantage of his offering because I didn't care and neither did he. As creator of this world wide phenomenon, he wanted me to have these toys. For a price.

     When Episode 1 was released in 1999, I saw it in the theater. I thought I cared. At the time, there was little anticipation for anything else in pop culture. For Americans, there had been a couple moments of bated breath concerning ourselves as a nation. The impeachment trial of Bill Clinton and the Columbine Massacre in Littleton, Colorado were the top news stories. Everyone had formed their opinions on each matter and rarely did you see anyone riding the fence. Episode 1 was the one thing that everyone nodded their heads about. It was the film we needed to take our minds off of the Y2K bug and fantasies of a global blackout. I walked out of the theater and didn't care much again. What we received is what I like to think of as the world's first film long con. Lucas played everyone and walked away with millions. We let him and continued to let him con us over the next 6 years. And he walked away with more millions. We got what we wanted and so did he. George sold it away for so much money that most of us can't even understand a number that high. And then he gave it away. James Cameron, eat your cold, hard heart out.

     I've been burnt and it doesn't really matter because I sorta don't care. Not much anyway.

     I love film. I love film more than any other medium really. It's gotten to the point where I have to watch everything twice. Once for the initial reaction and second to dissect every decision made that creates these imperfect worlds. Every film is a case study to me.And I love it. Someone might ask me what my favorite film is. I might shrug and mumble "I dunno..." before moving on to talk about the weather. I know what's coming next. You'll tell me your favorite film and I'll put face in my hands. Call it snobbery. Call it rude. I'd call it taste. J.J. Abrams is well within my tastes.

     If you didn't know: I'm a huge fan of Lost. I'm a huge fan of Cloverfield. Hell, I was a fan of Super 8 and Alias. J.J. has scratched nerdy itches that I didn't even know I had. His ability put together a sci-fi film should never be questioned. His films and shows are highly entertaining and goddamned pretty. Tonight, I'm going to see his latest. I probably won't be disappointed.

But then again, I kinda don't care.

OK, maybe I care a little bit.