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What Makes A "Real" Star Wars Fan?

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Like the rest of you, I love Star Wars. I have always been a fan since childhood. There has been a question that I never had a chance to ask. What makes a real Star Wars fan? A lot of fans, like yourselves, hate the prequels, and the Special Editions. This is where our differences come in. I have to be honest. I like the prequels, and I don’t mind most of the Special Edition changes. Despite a few problems for both, there isn’t enough for me to dislike them. The way I see it, Star Wars is Star Wars no matter what. My favorite in the Saga is not the obvious one, that being “The Empire Strikes Back.” That title goes to “Return of the Jedi.” I know that the majority of Star Wars fans are on the more negative side of these topics, but what category of “fan” am I part of? I was always silent about my opinion for Star Wars. I’m constantly worried that other people (whether they are in person, or online) will accuse me of not being a “true” Star Wars fan. I’m literally falling apart with this problem, and I don’t know what to do as a someone surrounded by more traditional fans. I don’t even know what kind of Star Wars fan I am anymore. It’s like you have to a Star Wars fan one way, or not be a fan at all. It would mean the world to me if you can shed some light on this situation.

YUB NUB!

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 (Edited)

fan
noun
noun: fan; plural noun: fans
a person who has a strong interest in or admiration for a particular person or thing.

Therefore:

Star Wars fan
noun
noun: Star Wars fan; plural noun: Star Wars fans
a person who has a strong interest in or admiration for Star Wars

.

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There is no “true” or “real” fan. That’s just something that was started by the prequel/ Special Edition fans to attack those that don’t like and are vocal about those films. You are either a fan or you aren’t. It’s a simple as that. It doesn’t matter how much or how little of the saga (and all it’s offshoots) you love. Putting labels like that onto people is nothing more than elitist bulls**t. Don’t worry about it. Just enjoy what you want.

ANH:REVISITED
ESB:REVISITED

DONATIONS TOWARDS MATERIALS FOR THE REVISITED SAGA

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 (Edited)

Perhaps take a look at the news and see what constitutes real problems people are facing in the world…? Get some perspective. That’s not meant to be snarky, but there is an element of concern here.

It’s just a piece of entertainment, nothing more, enjoyable & well-loved though it is. Fandom seems to have taken an unhealthy turn over the past decade or so, people really are taking way too much time out of their own lives to immerse themselves in details about fake ones. There’s almost a hierarchy of fandom developed since the explosion of forums and blogs, with all the class wars one gets in the real world. It’s unhealthy.

Lile what you like, and to hell with any other opinion! You know you’re a fan 😉

skywalkerfan101 said:

I’m constantly worried that other people (whether they are in person, or online) will accuse me of not being a “true” Star Wars fan. I’m literally falling apart with this problem, and I don’t know what to do as a someone surrounded by more traditional fans.

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I admit, several years ago, I was one of those pricks who said that you’re not a true fan if you don’t like all 6 movies. I look back at how stupid that was… a bad case of hypocrisy. And I apologize for that. But thanks anyway.

YUB NUB!

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Well if there is anyone true about anything around here, it is me.

真実

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I think it depends on how you define “Star Wars”

A lot people see it as just the OT while others of course see the entirety of the saga (and/or the EU) as being Star Wars. Personally I think Star Wars is much bigger than the films but as long as one likes a couple of the films and has a decent foundation of knowledge about the series I don’t see how they couldn’t be a “real” fan.

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I think you’re supposed to have 2 of every action figure.

Seriously, Star Wars was one of those films that people either ‘get it’ the first time they see it and are hooked or ‘dont get it’ and think to themselves ‘meh’ or even “I liked it but I’m not going bonkers over it”.

Its the former category. And it doesnt matter which of the films you liked the best although around here there is a clear preference.

I dont own a single piece of Star Wars paraphernalia. Not a tshirt. Not a poster (though that may change). Not a coffee mug. Nothing. But the original 3 films stand out as 3 of the greatest movies ever made to me. And its fun to speculate and analyze and/or pontificate. I think everyone here ‘gets it’

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luckydube56 said:

I think you’re supposed to have 2 of every action figure.

Seriously, Star Wars was one of those films that people either ‘get it’ the first time they see it and are hooked or ‘dont get it’ and think to themselves ‘meh’ or even “I liked it but I’m not going bonkers over it”.

Its the former category. And it doesnt matter which of the films you liked the best although around here there is a clear preference.

I dont own a single piece of Star Wars paraphernalia. Not a tshirt. Not a poster (though that may change). Not a coffee mug. Nothing. But the original 3 films stand out as 3 of the greatest movies ever made to me. And its fun to speculate and analyze and/or pontificate. I think everyone here ‘gets it’

So, you’re the reason George had to buy a smaller jacuzzi! 😉

Forum Moderator

Where were you in '77?

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luckydube56 said:

I dont own a single piece of Star Wars paraphernalia. Not a tshirt. Not a poster (though that may change). Not a coffee mug. Nothing. But the original 3 films stand out as 3 of the greatest movies ever made to me.

I’m with ya. My collection is a receipt showing that I bought the Bluray set and a figure of C-3PO that lives in my utility/junk drawer.

Ray’s Lounge
Biggs in ANH edit idea
ROTJ opening edit idea

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luckydube56 said:

Seriously, Star Wars was one of those films that people either ‘get it’ the first time they see it and are hooked or ‘dont get it’ and think to themselves ‘meh’ or even “I liked it but I’m not going bonkers over it”.

Its the former category. And it doesnt matter which of the films you liked the best although around here there is a clear preference.

This, absolutely.

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A real Star Wars fan:

• Has Star Wars imagery painted on.

• Can probably spin rapidly.

• Seems to be powered by some form of electricity.

• Maybe has some small toy ships hanging from appendages on strings.

• Looks cool while keeping you cool.

• Is often found on the ceiling, but not always.

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suspiciouscoffee said:

A real Star Wars fan:

• Can probably spin rapidly.

• Seems to be powered by some form of electricity.

How dare you discriminate against the hand-powered!

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Being critical about some (or much) aspects of Star Wars doesn’t make you less of a fan. It means you’re thinking. Use your own mind to find out what you like about Star Wars and the things you don’t like. In terms of Prequel Defenders, i noticed that a lot of those fans tend to constantly & robotically repeat quotes from George Lucas (“It’s his vision.”, “They are his movies.”, “He can do what ever he wants to do with them.”) to fortify their opinion. And i’m just thinking “Okay, this is Lucas’ mind-set about Star Wars … now please, tell me your OWN thoughts about Star Wars.”

Rogue One is redundant. Just play the first mission of DARK FORCES.
The hallmark of a corrupt leader: Being surrounded by yes men.
‘The best visual effects in the world will not compensate for a story told badly.’ - V.E.S.
‘Star Wars is a buffet, enjoy the stuff you want, and leave the rest.’ - SilverWook

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Haarspalter said:

Being critical about some (or much) aspects of Star Wars doesn’t make you less of a fan. It means you’re thinking. Use your own mind to find out what you like about Star Wars and the things you don’t like. In terms of Prequel Defenders, i noticed that a lot of those fans tend to constantly & robotically repeat quotes from George Lucas (“It’s his vision.”, “They are his movies.”, “He can do what ever he wants to do with them.”) to fortify their opinion. And i’m just thinking “Okay, this is Lucas’ mind-set about Star Wars … now please, tell me your OWN thoughts about Star Wars.”

I like the prequels, I don’t mind most of the changes in the Special Editions, and ROTJ is my favorite SW movie, not TESB. I never quote George Lucas, and I don’t tell people who hate the prequels and the SEs that they’re wrong. I’m not going to shy away from saying that there are a few things wrong with the prequels/SEs, but as I said before, they’re not enough problems for me to hate/dislike them.

YUB NUB!

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I am able to watch all 7 movies and love 3 of them, and I like(d) the Clone Wars show(s). However I don’t hate the special editions, I just think they’re the inferior versions. And I have never read any SW comic book or novel (except the novelizations of Star Wars and Empire), and I don’t plan to. I also have no toys, sorry - action figures, or models, and I have just 1 Star Wars T-shirt. Am I a “real” fan? To be honest, I don’t care, I think that everybody should be allowed to enjoy whatever (s)he wants without any labels.