May the 4th be with you!

VIEWPOINT

By RALPH HARDIN

Evening Times Editor

Yeah, that’s pretty cheesy…

But, hey, I did not come up with it. That’s right, fellow nerds! Today is the fourth day of May, and that means it’s time to talk “Star Wars” — sorry non-nerds.

Just to make sure we’re all on the same page, “May the 4th” sounds like “May the Force,” as in the famous line from the Star Wars universe, only as if Daffy Duck were saying it instead of Luke Skywalker… “May the Force be with you.” It’s double cool that the original Star Wars film was released in May as well. Anyway, even now, 46 years after its debut in 1977, the Star Wars franchise continues to thrive. Between 1977 and 1983, we got the original three movies. There were comic books, novels and even a Christmas Special (that we dare not speak of) but largely, that was it. For nearly two decades that’s all the Star Wars we got.

But then in May (not the 4th) of 1999, we got the first of three prequel movies. And Star Wars basically exploded from there, with an animated movie, three animated series, more comic books, novels, video games and more.

It hasn’t stopped. In more recent times, Disney bought the rights to Star Wars and produced five more films, and are

See VIEWPOINT, page A14 VIEWPOINT

From page A4

now rolling out TV shows that would have blown the mind of 10-year-old me (and honestly blow the mind of 49-year-old me).

No “Star Wars Day” isn’t a real holiday (yet?) but I assure you, millions of fans will be celebrating one way or another, with movie marathons or dragging their old toys out of the closet or maybe just putting on a Darth Vader or “Baby Yoda” T-shirt.

And hey, if May the 4th isn’t really your scene, just be patient. Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo. Surely between one of those days you can find something to celebrate!

Maybe some of that blue milk from “Star Wars” mixed with some tequila?