My dear friend Watto was kind enough to pick up tickets for us for tonight’s midnight showing of Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith as well as for two more showings tomorrow.

Yes, I’m going to see this movie 3 times in less than 24 hours. Why the hell am I doing that?

Here’s why:

1) It’s my job. Think about it, if I don’t go, then who’s going? Who will cover my shift? If I don’t feel the need to go, then no one will.

2) It’s tradition. My friends and I took personal days from work for the openings of Episode I and Episode II. This is the end of the tradition. That’s it. No more movies. No more Star Wars. The End.

3) It’s legend. This is the Star Wars saga, ok? Nothing to scoff at. Star Wars was the movie to end all movies. I might not agree 100% with everything created in the Star Wars universe, but I’ll always give it a chance.

Besides, the prequels never suck while you’re watching them on the big screen. It’s when you sit down to watch them on DVD that you realized they’re crap. Keep in mind, I’m of the original trilogy generation. NOTHING can compare to it. I am of the generation of kids who’ve waited their entire life to find out how Luke and Leia’s parents united, how Anakin Skywalker was seduced by the dark side, how the Clone Wars were fought, how Palpatine became Emperor. Unfortunately, the prequels just haven’t lived up to all those expectations…yet.

But again, when I went to see Episode I and Episode II on opening day (3 times), all the 10-year-old in me could think was, “Holy shit, I’m watching a Star Wars movie.” And while some of the story is annoying and poorly acted, there’s still some great shit there.

A lot of people here at work, knowing what a great Star Wars fan I am, have come by to let me know that the reviews for Episode III have been good, and that even The New York Times gave it a good write up. That’s when I had to explain to them that I don’t give a rat’s ass what The Times or anyone else like them had to say. Kevin Smith said the movie was kick ass and that’s all that matters to me!

By the way, the best prequel so far is Clone Wars, the animated series shown on the Cartoon Network. Mofo and I got a chance to watch all 25 episodes straight through (they were originally shown in 10 or so minute episodes) and we were blown away. The jedi were everything we always dreamed they’d be, the battle sequences were actually understandable and seriously violent, and the dialogue was actually better — and more informative — than the movies are. Seriously, it’s a must-see.

Happy Star Wars Day!

Listen to this podcast