doubleofive said:
its moments when I stop to think about things like that that I envy you, Anchorhead. I can't help but think of the prequels instead of making my own version in my head, but you don't even look at ESB or RotJ... *exasperated exhale*
Well, I will say it's a blessing alright, but it's not something I can take any sort of credit for because it's not something I've had to put any energy into. It's not some sort of inner strength or larger plan on my part. It's just where I am in the fandom now. What moved me in 1977 stopped moving me in 1983. It just happens to work very well for where I am now - NPR & Novels Only.
I read your post last night and wanted to come up with a similar scenario before I replied. I think it's very similar to The Matrix. A lot of people loved the first one, so they went along for the ride. By the time the conclusion to the trilogy was released, there were a fair number of fans who didn't care for it.
I worked with a Matrix uber-nerd who swore off the Wachowskis after Revolutions because they ruined the awesome story. I mean really hated how they steered the story and characters - just the first two films only, the third is terrible, they're ruined the franchise, disgusted, etc, etc. She just about couldn't say enough bad about the Wachowskis and the third film's destruction of the trilogy - the mythology of all that was The Matrix.
Comparing The Matrix 2004 with where I was with Star Wars 1983 - it's easy to see the parallels. A huge blockbuster spawns a cultural phenomenon and global fanbase, it gets a sequel that the fanbase really digs, they anxiously await the conclusion to the trilogy, it gets released and they feel betrayed to the point of saying goodbye on varying levels. If the Wachowskis decide to go with a second trilogy in twenty years, some of those fans who felt betrayed may not come back into the fold.
That's just Star Wars for me. I jumped ship in 1983 and never came back. Instead, I found a new and much better way to escape into that universe. For all practical purposes with regards to Star Wars, I'm Lucas-free, since '83. ;-)
Oh, and I have my demons too. I'm a much bigger Planet Of The Apes nerd than I am a Star Wars nerd - and I have that piece of crap Burton film to deal with. A film I've seen three times (I let it loop on a flight back from Rome several years ago). To me, it's dirtied the franchise and it won't go away, including the EU written around it.
"Burton!! - you maniac!!...daaamn yoouu...damn you to Hell!!"