As practically the entire Western world (and numerous parts East, as well) no doubt know by now, the seventh installment of the Star Wars marketing franchise has arisen to bathe us in its glorious light.

Also, as you can tell, I am not at all “thrilled” by this news.

The sad fact is that the execrable Prequels were so irredeemably foul and awful, that all joy I once took in Star Wars has been dead ever since. In fact, I even disliked much of the Special Editions. While I appreciated the addition of shots that made Mos Eisley and Cloud City look like much larger cities, bustling with activity, and while many of the effects shots were wonderfully cleaned up and improved, I was horribly annoyed at the bits of kiddie slapstick shit thrown in (like Jawas being thrown from rontos), at the unnecessary obscuring of shots (as when some large creature “walks” between the camera and Luke’s speeder as he and Ben are being pulled over by troopers), or of course, the infamous “Greedo Shoots First ‘Correction.'”

In the end, the Original Trilogy worked, cos George had people who knew what they were doing make those movies. When he himself took over, and was surrounded by sycophants and yes-men, we got a huge marketing extravaganza rather than a true saga. And even were the Prequels as good as the original Trilogy, I am, frankly, worn out with years long hype, viral marketing, trailers being considered to be as important as the film itself, and the aggressive advance toy and game marketing. I am weary of it all.

HOWEVER, I am somewhat heartened by the reports of friends who have said, with great enthusiasm, “IT DOESN’T SUCK!”

So perhaps I will go to see it at some point. Maybe when it comes out on DVD,