KIDS PAGE: Why is the Force Still With Us?

By CLARE CONNER | Special to the Palisadian-Post

Nearly 40 years after the first Star Wars movie opened, Palisadian super-fan Clare Conner, 11, explained the importance of the latest chapter, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” which opens in theaters Dec. 16.

Most of us can’t wait to see “Star Wars: Episode VIII,” but before that we’ll have to see “Star Wars: Episode III.5.” Who knew that there could be a movie between the time when Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader, and when Luke Skywalker and friends saved the galaxy using the power of the Force?

Well, Disney knew, so they have created Star Wars Episode III.5. I am calling “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” “Star Wars III.5” because it would be really confusing to completely change the Star Wars timeline that I have known for almost my entire life.

As for what I expect in “Rogue One,” I would hope that it is very important to what we will need to know for “Star Wars: Episode VIII.” In Episode VII, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” Disney left us not knowing what will happen to Finn, and completely unaware of where Rey came from.

I was so excited when I heard that a new Star Wars film was coming out, which I assumed would be “Star Wars: Episode VIII.” So I was quite disappointed when I found out that I would need to watch Episode III.5 first. “Rogue One” better be important to the Star Wars timeline.

That’s because Star Wars has changed American culture. Along with the fact that Star Wars has been a huge success and is a very famous series of movies, there is now a Wookieepedia online, as well as BB8 lunch boxes crowding school lunch tables.

Star Wars is also a multi-generational subject. Now I am 11 years old, preparing to see “Rogue One.” The first Star Wars movie, now called “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope,” came out in 1977. At that time, my mom was 10 years old. This just shows how long Star Wars has been around.

So why is it still such a big deal today? The fact that Star Wars was such a treasured movie in 1977 helps. Our parents loved this movie, so they probably felt like they just had to show it to us when we were old enough. And in truth, the action in Star Wars movies attracts audiences in Generation X, Y and Z.

Looking through a scientific lens, the concepts in Star Wars are quite interesting. As a science lover myself, I find it fascinating to think about not only the technologies shown in the movies, but also where the stories take place in the timeline of the universe.

Although it seems that Star Wars takes place in the future, the films say they take place in the past. What if, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, humans were extremely advanced, and could travel at light speed, just as our Star Wars heroes do?

Perhaps this is the moral of the entire history of Star Wars. The films show us characters who are brave, strong and smart, as well as provide viewers with an image of what life may be like with high technology. So I ask myself, “Are the lessons from Star Wars really from a long time ago, or are they about our future?”

Perhaps they are really timeless.