Why I Have Hope For The New ‘Star Wars’

Not too long ago, in cinemas not so far away, George Lucas unleashed a trilogy of films upon the world that nearly shattered many fond memories of my and many others’ childhoods. Drunk with power, high on egomania and obviously bored with re-releasing and tinkering with films of his past, Lucas took his flagship series, “Star Wars,” and mocked our love of those films with a prequel story.

He gave us a bratty Darth Vader, lacking a cool mask and that James Earl Jones baritone. He gave us space debates about space legislation. He gave us that abomination called “Jar-Jar.”

He gave us three uninteresting films. Not even Yoda’s fight scenes could save that wreck.

Now, having sold the franchise to Disney, he has let go of his iron grip of madness and we are now, finally, hopefully, getting the “Star Wars” we’ve wanted since the end of “Return of the Jedi.”

We are getting Luke, Han, Leia, C3 and R2, Chewbacca and more in a follow up directed by J.J. Abrams, the guy who made the first good “Star Trek” films since “Wrath of Khan.”

While almost nothing is known about the plot, I do have faith in Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan (Kasdan helped write “Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi”). I enjoy both of their work.

Plus, Harrison Ford broke his ankle on the Millennium Falcon. So we know that will more than likely be in the film.

And the new cast seems promising. I’m not sure how I feel about the stand-alone films that will come out between episodes 7, 8 and 9. We will see.

But the series seems to be in better hands. I love Lucas’ work with the original trilogy. I’m not a big fan of him going in and changing stuff from those films. I’m not a fan of the prequels. But with a fresh and different perspective on the series, maybe — just maybe we will finally get a new “Star Wars” trilogy that will be worth the admission price.

And I hope I never hear the word “Midi-chlorians” again. Seriously, that was just a bad idea.

Anyways, have a great Fourth of July weekend!