It’s a wonderful "Star Wars" life

“‘Star Wars’ is fun, it’s exciting, it’s inspirational, and people respond to that. It’s what they want.” –George Lucas 

“The Force” was strong during the initial run of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Forbes reports the latest installment of the epic space opera has garnered about $625 million in box office revenue in North America and more than $1.3 billion internationally since the film's release in December. How does this compare historically? Pretty well. “The Last Jedi” will end up at number five on the list of the highest-grossing movies in the U.S. and number nine as far as highest-grossing movies internationally.

My money is part of the film’s coffers as I was one of the numerous who spent two hours and 32 minutes – it may have gone a bit too long – being transported to “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....” I found one screening enough, but I gather some have seen it on multiple occasions. “How many times is this for you?” the theater manager asked when I bought my ticket.  ​

“Star Wars” hasn’t been too far removed from the pop culture zeitgeist since Disney acquired LucasFilm in 2012. The series was relaunched in 2015 after a 10 year absence with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” That was followed by “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” in 2016 and “The Last Jedi” in 2017, and two additional films are slated for release in 2018 and 2019. If you’re keeping track, there will probably be a new feature every year for… infinity.
 
I’ve seen all of the movies in the official canon save for “The Clone Wars” (my apologies to devotees), and I was even on hand for an advance screening of “The Empire Strikes Back” when it was originally released some years ago. My parents’ neighbor worked in film distribution, and he would often give us sneak preview passes. There was incredible buzz in the theater in the moments before the film started, and I recall cheering during the franchise's signature opening crawl. To this day, I’ve never felt that level of excitement during a movie-going experience.

But “Star Wars” was more than just cinema when I was a kid. I recall, for instance, going wallpaper shopping with my parents sometime after “Empire” was released, and there was a pattern featuring Luke and Yoda in the Dagobah swamp. I went wild when I saw it, and I begged my folks to put up the pattern in my bedroom. They didn't agree to it, but “Star Wars” wallpaper is an example of how the blockbuster permeated greater society. 

Yoda: "Do. Or do not. There is no try." 

Then there’s the metal “Star Wars” lunchbox I used when I was a kid. I enjoyed taking it to school, and I must have got a lot of use from the container as it now sits rusted, scratched, and dented on a shelf in my parents’ kitchen. Given the condition, it probably isn’t what you might call a “collector’s item.” However, it’s invaluable to me and I look at it fondly when I visit. 
 
And, of course, I loved “Star Wars” toys  – they were by far my favorite playthings. One of my favorite holiday gifts was the Hoth Rebel Base featured in “Empire.” The trinkets seemed ubiquitous then – I could go into the home of almost any childhood friend and Han, Chewie, and Leia paraphernalia would be scattered here and there. I’ve been known to visit eBay and peruse the offerings, and I have my eye on a vintage “Darth Vader Action Figure Case” and a “Jabba the Hutt Playset.”
 
I came into some good fortune a few years ago when a friend’s father gave away his 
“Star Wars” stash. There were dozens of action figures and even a Millennium Falcon – an item I coveted back in the day. Had I received the items then, I would have immediately dumped them on the floor and played for hours. Now, however, I haven’t touched a single one – it’s like they are sacred artifacts that are not to be disturbed. Could it be “The Force” yet again at work? It's possible.