An Open Letter to J.J. Abrams.

 29^th December 2015

   Dear Mr. Abrams,

   I was a year old in '77 when I first saw Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope and I don’t remember. However, I do believe that Mr. William’s score has been burned into my brain ever since that day. I do remember though, being old enough to begin to understand the concepts of space and magic and the first time I actually watched with wide eyes: A New Hope. After that evening, I lay there, thinking and not even blinking, on my Aunties Hide-A-Bed. The next day I came home wielding my imaginary Light-Saber and cut every piece of furniture and appliance in half, imitating that whooshing buzzing sound with my little voice, spitting everywhere. I envisioned myself as Captain Solo, flying through space in the Millennium Falcon getting in adventures, and getting Chewbacca to tear the arms out of the sockets of anybody that would cross me. I Force Choked lot’s of people too because ‘I found their lack of faith disturbing’. Soon after, I caught Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, at the Drive-In and lost my mind during the Battle Of Hoth. The AT-AT walkers and the Snowspeeders, Vader drops the Dad-Bomb on Luke’s face, the asteroid field?!
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, was all about Lando, Nien Nunb and the Falcon leading the rebel fleet against the second Death-Star, The creepy Emperor Palpatine, Speederbikes and Carrie Fisher, my 7 year old Hollywood crush along with Erin Gray and Jaclyn Smith.

   I am sure, Mr. Abrams that you can relate, as you, in my opinion, hold the two pillars of geek-dom in your hands. The Trek, and The Wars. In ‘77 you were what? 10 years old? I would think a young, imaginative JJ was just as enthralled, if not more, than I. By the way, the two new Star Trek films, great job! When I found out that you were doing these films I knew you would not disappoint. I am as much of a trekkie as I am a fan of Star Wars. I am very into the back stories and Tales of the Bounty Hunters, Jabba’s Palace, Mos Eisley Cantina and Rogue Squadron. I loved LOST, and Super 8. So, in turn, now, I am a Solid JJ fan. When I learned that you held the reigns of the Star Wars universe I made a slight squeal and jumped up and down and proceeded to dum dumm da dummm the Imperial March up and down the hall, afterword, I went through my apartment with my imaginary light-saber and cut everything I own in two.

   Before I go too far, I must say that I am a Cinevore. I can watch movies over and over and over again. On my big cleaning days instead of listening to music I’ll do The Matrix in its entirety, or Indiana Jones, just in the background, and once in a while I sneak a peek at my favorite scenes “Kali Ma Shakti De!” If I can permit myself to be geek enough, I do the Original Trilogy once a month. And I’m talkin The Original Trilogy as it was seen in the theaters, without Boba Fett cruising sexy aliens chez Jabba, and no additional footage (Han Shot First!)

   On December 18^th at around 1:45 pm, after all the commercials and ads, 32 years of waiting, patiently, like a Jedi… the LucasFilm logo appeared silently on the screen and then…Music, yellow words crawling on the screen and all of my hairs stood on end. From beginning to end I was enthralled. My imagination went haywire. All of my own fantasies of that galaxy were realized in brilliant, undeniably crazy 3D IMAX style. I cried three times even. Even when the movie started, after all those commercials I had to pee, and I held it the whole time and it didn’t even bother me! All I want to do now, because I can't afford a real one, is get myself one of those fancy toy light sabers, which one? I don’t know yet, but soon it will happen!

   Episode VII: The Force Awakens is now my favorite movie ever! and pushed The Big Lebowski in to the number two spot. If you’re curious, number three is now Citizen Kane and The Empire Strikes Back is in number four, but was number one before I saw Citizen Kane and The Big Lebowski. Anywhoo!

  

    I thank you JJ. Thank you from the bottom of my geeky, grown up, childish heart. The Force is awake and alive again. For me, Star Wars is not “just a movie”. It is a place where imaginations run wild, where adults can be kids again and get absorbed into the myth that took place “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away”. You really showed us what Star Wars is all about, and what it potentially can be. I knew the Force was strong with you. Merci, and continue doing what you’re doing. Je suis fier de vous.

Sincerely, respectfully and fanfully

William Douglas Hill.