A long time ago (1980)…in a Louisville movie theater not so far away…

I was four years old and a huge fan of Star Wars.  My mom and dad took me to see The Empire Strikes Back.  I remember the excitement as if it was yesterday.  I couldn’t wait to see what happened to Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, C3-PO and Chewbacca.  Being four years old, it was hard to hold the excitement in.  I held it for most of the movie, but reached a point where I had to go to the bathroom or have my little bladder explode.  Dad took me and when we got back, I asked my mom what had happened.  I’ll never forget Mom’s revelation of cinematic history to me, “Darth Vader cut off Luke’s hand.”  I slumped down in my chair thinking, “Why did I have to go then?!”  It was still an experience I will never forget.  It’s the first movie I remember seeing in the theater. 

Twenty eight years later, I can mark off of my “Cool Things To Do List,” “Go see a Star Wars movie with my children.”  Saturday, my four year old son and I went to see the new Star Wars movie, “The Clone Wars.”  I read several reviews and nobody I’ve read had anything good to say about it.  After years of waiting for a new Star Wars movie and being so disappointed by Episode I, and Hayden Christensen’s portrayal of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader I went in not having high expectations.  I knew this was just to promote the new cartoon that will be coming out later this year on Cartoon Network.  I knew it was to sell toys.  I’m fine with that because Isaac doesn’t care.  It’s Star Wars and he was excited.

He hadn’t been feeling very good the last few days, even having a slight fever.  His fever gone, Isaac assured his mom and me that he was good to go to the movie.  Polly even put his Star Wars Lego shirt on him.

When we got there, my son insisted that Pooh come with us (His Winnie the Pooh goes everywhere with him, which explains the raggedness).  There was a small line, nothing like the line I waited in all day for Episode I.  Matinee prices for me and the bear got in free.  We went in to a pretty full theater of Star Wars fans, of all ages.  During the movie I looked around and noticed some grown men didn’t have kids with them.  I thought they probably saw the original three in the theater and was hoping for just a taste of the excitement of the older, better films. 

Isaac sat in my lap, with his thumb in his mouth, arm around Pooh, and his other hand holding mine.  When the title flew into the screen, I wondered if my son would remember this day like I remember ‘Empire.’  He asked only a few questions, like, “Where’s Luke…is he born yet?” or “Where is C-3PO?” (C-3PO shows up at the end).  Of course during the movie, Isaac had to “go to the potty.”  I’m sure we didn’t miss much. 

Overall, I enjoyed the movie.  I liked it better than Episode I.  It had the Star Wars feel.  Not the coolness factor of real actors and presence like Harrison Ford, but still fun.  Sometimes, I must admit, I didn’t pay attention to what was happening onscreen.  I just enjoyed sharing a father/son moment with my son.  I held his hand and just looked at him, every once in a while asking him if he liked it.  He always nodded yes. 

Star Wars was a nice hour and a half escape to a galaxy far, far away.   Isaac was so pumped about it, he and his brother played with my old Star Wars figures the rest of the weekend.

Check out show times and reviews for Star Wars and other movies on our website at www.wbko.com/movies.