My timeline is essentially the same with the following additions/alterations:
1983-1999- Rumors abound that although George will never make sequels to the OT he will make Prequels. My friends and I discuss ideas at length, unknowingly setting ourselves up for a big let-down in the years 1999-2005. I’ll take responsibility for having some unrealistic expectations, but how could I know that a few 12-year-olds could come up with a better back-story than the master of modern story-telling?
1992- Heir to the Empire is released and I’m drawn headlong back into the GFFA. Say what you will about Zahn and his additions to the Star Wars Universe, the Thrawn Trilogy when taken in conjunction with Han/Greedo in SE SW show that Zahn has a much better grasp of Han Solo than Lucas does.
1999- TPM comes out; I take leave from Peace-Keeping Operations/War in Serbia to reunite with my family. I purposely choose late May/Early June so I can see TPM with my young family. I’m disappointed, but tell myself that it’s my fault for building up too much anticipation. Some of my anger is mitigated by my children; I have serious issues with Jar Jar, but my 3-year-old daughter loves him so early on (the first three viewings) he gets a pass. Also my son is five, the exact same age I was when I saw the original in 1977 and his excitement about Maul seems to parallel my excitement about Vader.
2002- AOTC comes and I actually breathe a sigh of relief. AOTC is the best of the PT movies in my opinion. I’m the exception I know. Still there were elements of mystery (Sifo-Diyas) and I’m happy that Anakin is finally the age I hoped he would be in TPM. I initially overlook the still ridiculous levels of CG because Jar Jar is absent from most of the film. I can overlook the horrible (especially compared to ESB) romance sequences. I don’t bitch about Anakin being whiney because I remember that Luke was whiney until the end of ESB.
2003-2005- I play the crap out of KOTOR and it raises questions that are hard to answer:
1. How can a Canadian RPG developer have a better feeling for the nature of the force than its inventor?
2. How can this same developer convey a deeper, more engrossing and epic story than George can? I know that a Video Game is a broader canvas than a movie, but that should be negated by the fact that George has a significantly larger budget and virtually unlimited resources.
2004- DVD released and like CO I was hoping it would include both versions (OOT & SE) of the films. The replacement of SS by HC in the force ghost scene reminds me that George doesn’t have a fucking clue what his own story is. If the OT is supposed to be about the redemption of Anakin Skywalker shouldn’t the ghost that appears be the old Anakin? I mean if the ghost is HC was Anakin ever truly redeemed? Was I wrong in thinking that the Jedi in ROTJ was plural? Why do evil people get greater rewards (young, virile 23-year-old Anakin spirit) than loyal Jedi (old, broken down Yoda/Ben spirits) from the living force?
2005 - ROTS comes out. OK, this is the story, Lucas is going to hit a homerun. I also left the theatre stunned. Stunned that George chose to use a slow-motion sound clip of Austin Powers screaming NOOOO to relay the tragedy that Vader feels for the death of Padme. Stunned that the film is called Revenge of the Sith and there is not much of an explanation of why they want revenge. Stunned that George just threw away the Sifo-Diyas plot line after saying several times (including his commentary on the AOTC DVD) that it would be specifically addressed in Episode III. Most of all I was stunned at myself; I let myself get excited over another Lucas film in 2005 when I should’ve been able to read the tea leaves in 1983.
2006- The O-OT is released, and I am ecstatic! I would be much happier if the films were given the same love and attention that has been heaped on the SE. Still I’m almost happy that no clean up will be attempted because I know George would fuck that up too. I’m also happy to have the films because my last VHS copy of Star Wars is about to die.
I don’t hate George because I don’t really hate anyone. At the same time I do fundamentally believe the statement I put in my signature:
“I also thought George could be turned back to the good side. It couldn't be done. He is more CGI now than story. Twisted and evil.”