So, I Just Watched Star Wars for the First Time

Twenty years ago, it was rare to run into an adult who hadn’t seen Star Wars. Now, 40 years on, there have been two generations come of age since George Lucas released his space fantasy, and some folks -and their parents- find that watching six movies to catch up is a bit of a hassle. Charley Locke knew some things about the story, or thought he did, without ever seeing the movies. Now he’s finally watched Star Wars, or as they call it these days, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. And he has some revelations to share.

• “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for”—a quote that I have heard for years—IS A LIE. Those were the droids they were looking for! (The greatest trick Obi-Wan Kenobi ever pulled was convincing the stormtroopers they didn’t exist…)

Lingering Questions:

• Will Leia and Han Solo have a romance? She deserves so much better than his sexist bravado: I hope she’s always as dismissive as when she orders him “Into the trash, Flyboy!” Also, I know Luke has his little crush, but I can’t imagine anything happening between them besides that lovely kiss on the cheek. (I am not going to look up what happens ahead of time, even if it makes me look like an idiot to the whole internet, so don’t ruin this for me in the comments, please.)

• If Darth Vader isn’t in charge of the Galactic forces, who does he report to?

His reactions to the experience are a hoot, but it may also make you feel old. Locke delights in the “hokey visual effects” that astounded us in 1977. Read his account of the movie at Wired. Locke will watch the other five movies in order of release, one per week, and report his reactions to each of them. -via Digg