'Star Wars' movie is going to be fantastic!

When the new "Star Wars" movie comes out this week, no one will be more excited than me. It's Star Wars!

Who doesn't like stars? Or wars? Put them together? Fantastic.

While some may accuse me of jumping on the bandwagon of a hot cultural phenomenon, I've been a fan of "Star Wars" since I was a kid. I've always loved Captain Kirk. The relationship between Kirk and Hans Olo was one of my favorite aspects of the first movies.

When Disney announced that it was adding three new films to the series, I was thrilled. I, of course, enjoyed the first three movies (particularly "Luke Skywalker and the Temple of Doom") but unlike a lot of other fans, I was also enthralled by the subsequent trio of films, which were actually prequels.

"Star Wars" fans know that, of course.

Like many people, I enjoyed "Episode I: Prince Caspian" and "Episode II: Shaft in Africa," but the highlight of those films was undoubtedly "Episode III: Yoda and the Goblet of Fire." I still have the special cup I stood in line to get at Taco Bell when Episode II came out. Shaft in space? Nothing better.

The anticipation of the new film (called, of course "Episode VII: The Force Awakens" because it parallels Chuck Norris's 1979 masterpiece "A Force of One" and features Norris in the role of a silent, terrifying assassin), reminds many of us of the excitement of earlier blockbusters. A huge group of "Star Wars" fans in costume (I hope someone dresses up as Neo!) is expected to flood theaters overnight Thursday to be the first to see it.

The closest I can think would be the electricity when "Three Men and a Little Lady" came out in 1990.

Greatest.

Sequel.

Ever.

The thing that a lot of people don't realize – but those true "Star Wars" fans among us do – is the impact the George Lucas series has on other parts of culture.

For instance, the iconic TV show "Star Search" probably was inspired by "Star Wars." They're both two-word titles and both start with "Star." Do the math.

Similarly, "Storage Wars," "Cake Wars," Wedding Wars" and "Cupcake Wars" all bring "Star Wars" to mind. And what would our world be like without them? Like a world without Princess Layla, Obi Juan Canopy and Garth Mall, three of my favorite "Star Wars" characters.

What about Star Jones?

Seriously: What about Star Jones? Does anyone know what happened to her? I hadn't thought of her until I wrote the previous paragraph.

Anyway, "Star Wars" isn't just a great film, it has made a huge impact on our culture, since the first scene in the initial movie, when Luke Skywalker says, "I think we're gonna need a bigger boat!" As someone who has watched each movie very closely and who tries to live his life by the mantra said by famous "Star Wars" actor Leonard Nimoy ("Live long and prosper"), I hope this episode is just as good as the first six.

If you go to an opening-night showing, please don't spoil it for me. I want to find out for myself whether the boy wizard lives.

I just love "Star Wars." And Star Jones, in case she Googled her name and is reading this.

Brad Stanhope is a former Daily Republic editor who actually saw "Star Wars" in a theater, long ago and far away. Reach him at bradstanhope@hotmail.com.