I was too young to have seen Star Wars in theaters. In fact, I wasn't even born until the late 80's. Many who did see Star Wars during its original theatrical run, have described it as a defining cinematic moment in their lives when the Imperial Star Destroyer flies overhead following the opening credits. The closest experience I had was when the T-Rex first appears and stomps its foot in Jurassic Park. 

There is a wonderful air of mystery and intrigue in the Stars Wars films, each character hints at larger forces at work. Even though I knew the plot twist about Darth Vader, it didn't make the character any less interesting or foreboding. I remember how Obi Wan described him as a great warrior who fought during the Clone Wars. I felt like even after watching the original trilogy that I had only been exposed to half the truth.

One of the few bastions of Star Wars lore during the 80's and 90's were the school book fair and the local library. There was also Dark Horse comics series as well. These sequels and stories set in the Star Wars galaxy came to be known as the Expanded Universe (EU). The EU was meant to be as close to cannon as possible in which the books couldn't contradict the movies or any other books. One of the greatest of these is Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy which takes place right after Return of the Jedi. Zahn greatly reinvigorates the series with action that nearly jumps off of the page and new characters after Return of the Jedi left us with a still fractured galaxy.

I was lucky enough to see the original Star Wars trilogy on VHS. However, for those seeing Star Wars for the first time today, it is nearly impossible to see the original versions. It's difficult to explain how there is a different version in which Han shoots first. Also, the added CGI takes away from the impressiveness of the groundbreaking practical effects. My dad's old VHS tapes are now like a time capsule of a time now forgotten. I'm very happy to have been able to experience Star Wars when I did.