There was a time when I thought Star Wars would remain incomplete; episodes seven, eight, and nine were almost never going to be made. Those films were a long part of George Lucas's original plans for the saga, but after the prequels he had stated that no more movies would be made–by him or by anyone else. At that time, we were to take the Expanded Universe as the stories that continue the original trilogy. Disney's acquisition has ensured that the stories would indeed continue on the big screen; it looks like Star Wars will continue indefinitely. To have lost the opportunity to continue, however, would have been a tragedy.
Much like the incomplete volumes of The Faerie Queen from the 16th century, the author, Edmund Spencer, planned a much-larger continuing story for his epic poem. He had planned to pen 24 books in the series but only completed 6 before his untimely death. The stories followed the adventures of virtuous knights like Redcrosse and brave fair ladies like Una—she would even rescue the dragon-fighting Redcrosse—as well as lady knights like Sir Britomart. While these stories were allegories about England during the times of Queen Elizabeth I, they are part of the tapestry of adventuresome fairy tales from which modern stories like Star Wars still draw inspiration. The pleasant change of events today, however, is that the Star Wars saga will be able to continue and to finish. Yet, the change also brings other changes since the creator of Star Wars, George Lucas, is not involved in them.
The story we are about to see has been created by a fan. J. J. Abrams was a fan and it greatly inspired all of his work from TV series, to Star Trek, and now to the galaxy far, far away. Abrams bings with him a crew of people like composer John Williams and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, who have both worked intimately with previous movies in the series assuring fans that the entire production is not completely removed from the original artistic endeavors. It also is amazing still that much of the original cast is returning to the franchise. It isn't just for fan-reassurance, these artists know what they're doing, but it certainly does help with fans' preconceptions. It is this time when we've been excited for The Force Awakens for so long that it has now settled in that it is actually happening and with that feeling, that tiny bit of trepidation. Just a tiny bit. We don't want the movie to be bad, we don't want the movie to be good—we want it to be great. There has been an enormous amount of pressure on Abrams and company to make it great and that's not entirely from fans. Disney has many plans set for movies and other tie-ins—not to mention a themed-land in Disney parks—that are depending a great deal on the success of this Episode VII. I have no doubt the movie will earn great profit, but the lasting success depends on the story and its characters. With trailers not giving away too much of the story and its characters, and with many fans like myself avoiding spoilers, there's nothing more we can do except to wait and see. And now the waiting is over.
This is the final hour and soon we will learn the truth behind the many secrets of Luke, Han, Leia, Finn, Rey, and Kylo Ren. It is time for the anticipation to end. It is not time for criticism to begin—we as fans should not go into the theater tonight and tomorrow having already made up our minds about this. It is time to let go and watch the movie with fresh eyes and open minds. We want to feel young again but we have to allow ourselves to do so, and what better time than at Christmas? We can't go in ready to find its flaws, but we must accept that it won't be perfect, and no movie is. We must actually allow ourselves to be happy. You deserve it, we deserve it. We must allow J. J. Abrams and Disney to take us on this adventure. Much like riding Star Tours: The Adventure Continues, we have to step on the ship, strap in, and be taken away, trusting the makers of the experience with our bodies and minds for just a little while. In turn, Abrams and Disney must know that we are putting our trust in them but the good thing is, I believe they know that.
Disney, it's time to blow us away like never before.
In honor of this time where I've called on us to be calm and open amidst our excitement, I present to you my inmost thoughts in a parody of A Visit from St. Nicholas, this is “'Twas the Night before Star Wars,” and I hope you enjoy it—but I hope you enjoy the movie more.
'Twas the night before Star Wars and past the asteroids
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse droid
The lightsaber hilts hung on belts with care
In hopes that Rey and Finn soon will be there
The fans will nestle all snug in their seats
To see the Jedi and their amazing feats
R2 and 3PO will be at it again
As we learn the plans of Kylo Ren
In the theater there will be so much chatter
The excitement will build, hearts will pitter-patter
Bound to my seat, I will remain fast
Nevermind the restroom, nevermind the trash
The moon’s a space station, the troops in the snow
Give a throwback of images to fight against Poe
What to my wondering eyes will appear?
Something so great? Or something to fear?
I’ve many little hopes, so be lively and slick
Use the right tropes, but please no tricks
We’re ready to meet those who are new to this game
Like the classic characters we know by name
Now Phasma, now Leia, now Chewie, and Luke
On Solo, on Tekka, Kanata, and Snoke
To the top of the records by the first nightfall
To top the box office, to the top of them all!
As fans before the premiere have questions to ask
We hope Disney and Abrams are up to the task
The hype is incredible, the marketing shrewd
With stores full of toys, and cosmetics, too?
The stuff is all stuffed all the way to the roof
Just see every store if you need any proof
No spoilers here, I avoided the sounds
No leaks have I scooped, no ear to the ground
I steered away from the rumors afoot
Lest my surprise at the film go all kaput
Like a kid with enough toys to fill up a shack
My heart feels like it’s on a race track
“I know your eyes”—said the trailer—so simple … but scary
‘Cos what are the eyes of the new adversary?
Ren’s eyes may be seen through Chewie’s crossbow
Or struck by Finn’s saber aglow in the snow
But I don’t want to know yet! I grit my teeth
At any hints that may surface from somewhere beneath
It all started with a Star Destroyer’s underbelly
Then to a Cantina, or was it a deli?
The point is this is new, a new book for the shelf
And I want to feel this newness, in spite of myself
But what if it’s rotten, say the doubts in my head
With the trailers I suppose I have little to dread
In my mind I believe this is going to work
Though I know it will not be without its quirks
Some will now say that it’s only a show
But to 5-year-old me, this is all that I know
To the cinema I go like a guided missile
To bring back some childhood, oh how I miss you
No matter what happens, after all we go through
Happy times to you all, and may the Force be with you
