Movie Magic

In 1977 my dad took me and my sister to see a little science-fiction movie that changed my life, even if I didn't know it at the time.  I didn't know it after I saw that movie's sequel.  Or even the third movie in the trilogy.  I don't think it was until I had my own growing children that I realized the magic I experienced in my youth:

1977:  Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
1980:  Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
1981:  Raiders of the Lost Ark
1982:  Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
1982:  E.T. the Extraterrestrial
1983:  Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
1985:  Back to the Future

In less than 10 years I saw some of most classic sci-fi movies ever made.  It really was a magical time for young movie-goers, if for no other reason than we had no idea what kind of ride we were in for.  Certainly for the Star Wars sequels we had some expectations, but you have to remember how completely unremarkable movie trailers were back then.  Plus we rarely even went to the movies so opportunities to see trailers were limited.  Star Wars, Raiders, Wrath of Khan and Back to the Future were very, very pleasant surprises.

So as my kids have neared the age at which my own cinematic adventure began I am trying to replicate, to some extent, my childhood..  When my daughter turned 7 she was allowed to see Star Wars for the first time.  At age 8, she saw The Empire Strikes Back.  She's only allowed to see these movies one other time between birthdays.

You see, kids nowadays consume their kiddie movies like so much cotton candy.  Any movie we get from Netflix gets watched no less than 3 times before being sent back.  I'm glad they enjoy movies, but part of the magic of movies for me is seeing the movie seldom enough that upon seeing it again it's like getting reacquainted with an old friend.  I've tried to recreate some of that movie magic for my kids.

Tomorrow is my son's 7th birthday and tonight his adventure begins.