Star Wars: The Hype Awakens

Brandon Guerrero, Staff Writer
January 20, 2016

Ever since Disney bought the rights to Lucasfilm back in 2012, fans have been awaiting the arrival of the seventh installment to the Star Wars trilogies. The wait was finally satisfied on Dec. 18, 2015; however, it was not just the opening day that was exciting, but the days leading up to the release as well.

Thousands of Star Wars themed products and merchandise were released to substitute for the film before its release. Merchandise included: clothes, toys, games, and even rumor of a Star Wars area inside Disneyland. Commercials ranging from Star Wars makeup to Star Wars themed car commercials are just a few examples of how Star Wars enveloped our lives. Exhilaration from fans all over the globe were just as strong, if not stronger, than when the first Star Wars film was released in 1977.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens broke box office records soon after its release. The film became the fastest movie to reach past 700 million dollars, doing it in only 16 days. Avatar was the first movie to reach the 700 million dollar mark, but Star Wars is set to dethrone Avatar as the biggest domestic movie ever.

“I would give the movie an eight out of ten. I thought it was genius of the director to leave some things unsolved in the movie,” senior, Jose Alvarez said. “It adds more mystery and a desire to see the next films.”

Although the movie broke records, it is impossible to please everyone. Fans of the previous installments of the Star Wars trilogies like this movie, but people who did not like, or understand, the previous movies most likely didn’t like this one either.

“The movie was okay,” senior, Samuel Vasquez said, “but there were some plot holes I wish they would have explained.”

Yuri Luiz , a fan from Brazil, is hoping to get George Lucas himself back in the directing chair for Star Wars Episode Eight. An online petition has actually surfaced stating that George Lucas should be the director for episode eight, however there is only one problem, Lucas no longer owns the rights to Star Wars. He sold the rights of Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012 for 4 billion dollars.

“We have no problem with Colin Trevorrow, but he’s not the right guy to direct Star Wars Episode Eight,” Luiz Wrote on Change.org.

George Lucas got some hate a few years back when he made the Star Wars prequels: The Phantom menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith. The reaction from fans were not good, so when George Lucas sold the rights of the films, some questions from fans arose, especially when they heard that Disney bought the movies. When Lucas first heard that JJ Abrams would be the director for the new film, he lashed out saying that Disney was trying to make a “retro” Star Wars, and that is not how it should be. However, he quickly took back his comment and said that this is the movie fans have been looking for.

Leave a Comment

About the Contributors

Brandon Guerrero, Staff Writer

Having a mom work as a labor and delivery nurse took an unexpected turn for senior, Brandon Guerrero, because he did not know he was about to live an adventurous life, as he got to see different cultures within the world.

Guerrero has gathered memories and has embraced each state and country that he has visited. Guerrero has taken trips across the world, one being China. During those trips it has brought him to learn that even in a different country there are a number of diverse cultures and customs.

“When my mom and I were visiting China, we were walking around the town,” Guerrero said, “when this Chinese girl slowly approached us and signal us the a peace sign with her hand.”

Traveling around the world gave Guerrero new and unforgettable memories. He was astonished with Virginia’s historical buildings, because it was something Guerrero had never seen before; it was as if time stood still.

“Traveling to new places is like a different world” Guerrero said, “ Virginia made me feel like I was time traveling, because everything was old and rustic.”

“We love to travel as a family,” Kimberly Piper, Guerrero’s mom said, “because we like to see new and adventurous places.”

In the beginning Guerrero had no choice but to travel a lot, since his mother is a labor delivery nurse and they had to continually be moving around the states. At first, it was a struggle to constantly start fresh and never settle down, but now he craves this lifestyle.

Julissa Villalobos, Photo Editor

Ever since the trip to Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) with her grandma to an art exhibition, senior Julissa Villalobos has known that art is something she wanted to do for the rest of her life.After seen all those massive painting done by Latina women, Villabos was inspired to chase her dreams.

“Anything that anyone can express himself or herself with can be art really… from

Afros to oil paintings,” Villalobos said. “You don’t decide to be an artist you are born an artist.”

Growing up with a massive influence from her grandma who never shielded her from

the real world and never growning up . Villalobos was able to comprehend that art is not perfect and see that a color is more than just it’s literal meaning. She has constantly keept trying because she loves art so much she throws herself at it in hopes for the best.

Sarah Noel, best friend of Villalobos ever since the eighth grade talked about her close

friend with such admiration.

“It’s how she can unwind and really let herself be free,”

Noel said. “If you watch her when she’s doing something she loves whether it be

talking to her friends or working on her art, you can see that focus and passion in

her eyes… it’s really amazing.”

Art will always be a huge part of her life even if she chooses not to fully focus on it

after high school. Art allows her to create amazing things that will take your breath away,

that is why people who are close to her have all the confidence on the world that

one day she will go as far, as long as she believes in herself.

During Villalobos junior year she met the person who came to be her mentor, Mr. Rios

he, happened to grow up with the influence from his

father who was a painter himself. Mr. Rios was able to see all the potential Julissa

has.

“It’s palpable; like the way tension feels in a room, only hers is positive, excited. Her

eyes brighten up. It’s visceral. You can see that it occupies her fully,” Rios said.

“That’s the way it should be for any passion- is it’s not everything, it’s nothing.”

Villalobos passion for art goes beyond a simple “I like art.” For her it is a way of life,

something that when in a bad mood, it would instantly calm her down. She can see

behind the meaning of a simple object. Although she might or might not do it fully it

will always occupy a space in her heart. When talking to her she makes you want to

go out there to find what you love and for it for the rest of your life.

Soon to graduate, Villalobos plans her future exquisitely, just like any other she plans

to go to college, and continue to pursue her artistic aspirations no matter what the

future may bring whether it is struggles or achievements art will always fully

occupy her.

The Downey Legend

The Downey Legend

The Downey Legend

Star Wars: The Hype Awakens

The Downey Legend

Comments (0)