By: CHRISTINE AIKEN
Columnist
aikenc@umail.iu.edu
Undoubtedly, every “Star Wars” fan in the world nearly, or actually, screamed the first time they saw the new trailer for “The Force Awakens” the moment that Han Solo and Chewbacca appeared on screen.
This isn’t “The Phantom Menace,” boys and girls.
This is the first “Star Wars” sequel featuring characters from the original movies played by the same actors from the original movies since 1983.
I turned two years old in 1983. Many of you were not yet born. This is huge.
It is no wonder that there were record-breaking advance ticket sales for the new film that doesn’t actually hit theatres until December. Fans stood in line for hours trying to ensure their chance to see the film on its release date of December 18.
One super fan I know even bought tickets to multiple showings. He plans to see the movie three times on each of the first couple days of release. Once really isn’t enough when you have been waiting more than 30 years for something.
Of course, with every unprecedented sales event, you will have hiccups. Some moviegoers were charged twice for their tickets in error. Several theaters saw their websites crash due to the high demand for online sales.
To reiterate—Chewbacca! Han Solo! Princess Leia! This is not Jar Jar Binks or young Anakin and Padme Amidala.
While it was interesting to see how Darth Vader and the Empire came to be, it wasn’t the same. The second trilogy didn’t include the most beloved characters from so many childhoods.
In addition, though I have not actually seen the characters in any trailer, I understand that Luke Skywalker, C-3PO and R2-D2 will also be featured in “The Force Awakens.” Of course, fans are as excited as a five-year-old on Christmas morning. It is freaking “Star Wars.”
The only thing that could possibly bring us down at this point is the incredibly high expectations that all fans undoubtedly have for this movie. The film is in the capable hands of J.J. Abrams, who resurrected the “Star Trek” franchise and possibly even made it better. This is a “Star Wars” movie, though, that features the same actors as the original.
I, personally, will try to go into it not expecting it to be the greatest film ever made. To see Chewbacca and all of the original cast again will be a delight in itself. So try not to expect too much, and may the Force be with you.
