What is behind the magic? Perhaps it was the innocence of childhood, allowing us to believe in the possibility of a galaxy far away. Or, maybe it was the chance that we too are not just ordinary people, but possess the ability to become a hero. A long time ago, a humble director named George Lucas invited the entire world to experience his opera, filled with light-sabers, the Force, little green men, and a whiny farm boy. No movie had ever been created on such a grand scale, with such an intricate web of family and creativity, relying upon the ability of the audience to believe in the unbelievable for two hours. That two hours has now become twenty-three years of movies, media and anticipation, all leading to a sunny evening, five years from now, when we will leave a theatre in a town far away from the one you now live in, and say good-bye to old friends.

Until that dreaded night when Episode III concludes, when the curtain rises, the house lights flood, and the credits roll, we will be given two gifts. The first, that we have already received, is The Phantom Menace, and the second, the as yet unnamed Episode II. In TPM, characters that we know and love, whose faces were on our bed sheets and recreated as toy figures we once played with (and may still do, I'll admit nothing...), are finally introduced. Whether it be the father of Luke Skywalker, the comical protocol droid, or the Jedi Master Yoda. Up until last year, their history's were nothing but speculation, fed by the passion of fans and the media provided to them, all driven by our own imaginations. Finally after years of media driven hype and excitement, The Phantom Menace opened in theatres around the world last May, and on April 4, 2000, if you are like me, it was in your own home.

But, what is this I hear repeatedly? No DVD? Not as good as in the theatre? Jar Jar sucks?

What are you doing? Stop your whining and your complaints. We are so lucky to be experiencing these films first hand. We felt the excitement as we waited in line, whether it be in the rain in Denver, for tickets, or for the midnight showing. We held our breath as R2 was introduced, Sebulba's engines boomed and Qui-Gon fell. We also smiled when Yoda first spoke, the foreshadowing of Palpatine's dialogue, or when Obi-Wan was granted the right to train our future Sith Lord. We are the fans of the Star Wars universe. And if anyone, we are the critics of it as well. Let these other media forms dispel the gossip about our feelings about DVD and Jar Jar. But keep it real, all good things come to those who wait....And we are the most patient of all fans. We will get what we deserve.

The DVD will come. Instead of worrying about that, worry about the fact that in five years, we will not have anything to be patient for.

4/08/2000