Can you really consider yourself a fan of Star Wars?

Really the only live-action movie I don't like is Attack of the Clones and even then, there is still some scenes I enjoy and look forward to. I also don't like The Clone Wars film, but I love the show! Other than that I like all the films, even if there are some scenes/moments/lines I don't care for. But this is just my opinion and not everybody has to share these views. I think that's what it means to be a true "fan" of something. To have your own views, not follow the popular beliefs or trends, and to accept everybody else's, even if you don't agree with them. Man, that was deep!

 

I love or at least like them all.

 

I say of course you can. Let me draw some parallels. There are many people who consider themselves fanatics of the Rocky movies. I'm sure most of them don't like Rocky V or maybe Rocky Balboa. There are many people who are fanatics of the Godfather movies but who don't like Godfather 3. Why don't they like all of them? Because they only like the good ones. Who decides which ones are the good ones? You do, of course. No one else gets to decide for you.

There will always be other people shouting because they think you like "The bad Star Wars movies", and there will always be people shouting at you because you don't like those terrible Star Wars movies (whichever ones you think they are). We get to decide for ourselves. I may be completely convinced you like some terrible movies, and you may be completely convinced I am a traitor to George Lucas and Star Wars. It's okay. Really it is.

I love to passionately debate this topic once in a while, but please let's treat each other with the respect and dignity we all deserve!

 

I'm a huge fan of the Original Trilogy. They are my favorite movies. I also appreciate the Prequel Trilogy, on the whole. I'm not as much of a fan of the current sequel and standalone films. I still definitely consider myself a Star wars fan. Years ago, I wrote a handful of fanfics based on the Old EU/Legends, and I've made attempts to rewrite one or two of them into the new universe created by TFA just to see if the characters I created would still fit. I believe only a fan would do something like that.

 

I think there's several different ways to be a Star Wars fanatic.

A short list off of the top of my head:

OT Purist Fanatics
PT Fanatics
George Lucas Fanatics(those who defend every decision GL ever made)
Merchandise Collecting Fanatics
EU/Legends Fanatics

That's just a small list off of the top of my head.

As for me, I consider myself a fan and not a fanatic. While Star Wars is my favorite franchise by a mile, I don't believe it is above criticism. I love the OT and don't particularly care for the PT(although I do see some value in it), but I have no problem with those who love the PT. I'll happily debate them on the merits of the films, but the fact that they love something I don't doesn't particularly bother. The same goes for people who dislike the things I like.

I am absolutely a huge fan of Star Wars, but I don't feel it is to an unreasonable degree, so I don't consider myself a fanatic.

Generally speaking, being a fanatic is a bad thing IMO. Whether it's a religious fanatic, anti-religious fanatic, political fanatic and so on. Being unreasonable and extreme doesn't really do anybody any favors.

@Rogues1138 Based on your initial post I would call you a really strong fan, but not necessarily a fanatic. Now if you reveal that you watch the movies so much that you are neglecting real life responsibilities and relationships, then we are stepping into fanatic territory. Or maybe if you react incredibly negatively to any criticisms of the films or can only have conversations about Star Wars and nothing else. Things like that generally tend to indicate fanaticism. Having been on the same forum with you for a while now, I've never read any of your posts that would seem to indicate fanaticism. Granted, I haven't read every single thing you've ever posted, but if you were posting fanatical things in threads I don't follow, I'm willing to bet that you'd have a lot more negative ratings than you do.

I would honestly say that these forums tend to be pretty fanatic free for the most part. Sure, there's a pro-PT or anti-PT fanatic here and there, but most folks on this forum tend to be pretty reasonable folks, even when we disagree with each other.

 

Yes. I like and love them all in different ways just like alot of my ex-girlfriends.

 

I like all the movies and those are only movies, nothing to get mad about.

 

I was ten years old when Star Wars hit the theaters. The opening scene blew me away.

When that Star Destroyer flew overhead... damn! It just kept getting bigger and bigger! The raw power of the blue burning engines!

Leia's ship was getting picked apart yet was still firing back. But for each blaster bolt Leia's ship fired, the Star Destroyer shot three back. The Imperial ship had the advantages of position, firepower, and size, but the Rebel ship kept fighting back against hopeless odds.

And without a single word of dialogue we already knew all the Star Wars backstory we needed to know. That was my favorite cinematic opening until The Dark Knight and George Lucas was God to my ten year old self.

But back to the point. When you're ten years old you are - by definition - the target audience for Star Wars. I had to have all the action figures, Halloween costumes, lunch boxes, etc. Before Star Wars our school recesses were snowball fights when the field was covered in snow and soccer games when the field had melted. After Star Wars recess was Star Wars scene reenactments and Star Wars improvs and Star Wars discussions ("Of course Chewbacca could beat up Darth Vader!" "No way!")

Star Wars was magic, and being ten years old is magic, and the two somehow multiplied the magic in each other.

And that magic never died.

Yes, I am a fan. Some of the things that I loved about Star Wars as a kid don't appeal to me anymore, but some of the things I was too young to appreciate about Star Wars back then mean so much to me now. But that's not really why I'm still a fan.

When the blue text "A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far, Far Away" fades and the Star Wars theme and logo hits I'm ten years old again.

That's why I'm a fan.

 

The question is, do they like you?

 

I love the original trilogy, I think they're beautifully made films and are great cinematic achievements. I think the Prequels are horribly flawed in many ways, but I respect all of the hard work the cast and crew put in. TFA is ace, but it is essentially a 'soft reboot' sequel, but it has laid down strong foundations for a promising new trilogy. And R1 is flawed in the characterisations department but is nice bit of fun.

 

See, I don't think it's really fair to pick and choose. If someone really likes even just one of the movies, I don't think anyone really has a say in whether or not they're a fan.

As far as fanatics go- I'm obsessed with everything Star Wars but the prequels (which I enjoy, on and off). Seriously, like obsessed. I think it'd be silly not to call myself a fanatic, just because I'm not equally and extremely as obsessed with every single installment in the series.

There's a famous Mark Twain quote (though, I'm not sure it's verified): "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it."

If The Last Jedi comes out and totally flops, I can say "I didn't like this movie" and still be a fan. In fact, as a fan, I'd be more invested in wishing that the quality of it was better, and hoping that future installments would learn from its mistakes. On the other hand, if I said "This movie is so bad, I hate Star Wars now"... well, then I'd say my status of a fan is a little more in question.

 

This is a topic I'd rather not ever try to define really.

"Fan Wars" can't really ever lead to anything. It's just ad hominem really.

 

I would say that I am a Fanatic Fan.
I LOVE ALL of the films equally.
As old as I am, MANY of my generation do not feel or see as I do. To me, they all are NOT my stories. They ARE stories that someone told and share with me. It's not for me to say any parts of them should be "this way" or "that should have happened this way".
They are ALL stories I LOVE, Characters I LOVE .... ALL Of Them.
They affected (for lack of a better word) me in some way that I have Darth Vader, Anakin, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and the Imperial symbol inked on me.

 

Señorita Musashi said it best.And btw if a fanatic is defined as someone who is unreasonable i don't consider it to be a good thing to be one. just my opinion man .

--- Double Post Merged, Jun 24, 2017, Original Post Date: Jun 24, 2017 ---

Godfather I + II are my favourite movies. I dislike part III ( pacinos haircut wtf!) but I am of course a godfather fan . I consider anyone a fan who loves at least a single portion of Star Wars no matter which quantity.

 

I like anything Star Wars to a degree. Not a fan of the Special Editions. The prequels, I appreciate the story, but the movies were poorly executed. I can't stand people who accuse others of not neing fans because they don't like the same aspects, or movies. If you call yourself a fan I'll take your word for it.

 

Opinions are not something you need to justify to anyone. There's only one opinion in this world that should matter to you; your own.

Just like being a fan of a band, you're not expected to like every song or album they record. If by chance you do, then that's great, you have more to enjoy. It's all made by flawed individuals who grow, change and sometimes make mistakes or stupid decisions, just as we all do. That equally goes for movies, books, games, whatever media you can name.

I love Alien3, most people hate it. Doesn't change my opinion, it satisfies my personal tastes. I get an extra film to enjoy in my life that other people don't.

When it comes to Star Wars, I love the original unaltered trilogy, The Force Awakens and Rogue One. I really enjoy The Clone Wars and Rebels too.

I think the prequels, the Ewok movies, the Ewoks cartoon, the Droids cartoon, The Clone Wars movie, The Special Editions and The Holiday Special are all dreadful.

If someone else likes those, more power to them, they're entitled to, they get another 12 pieces of Star Wars media to enjoy that I sadly don't (I'd love it if I loved the prequels, why wouldn't I want more Star Wars films to enjoy?). And I won't condemn them for it. People are free to enjoy however much or however little they want and if the bits they do enjoy provide great happiness in their life, then yes they're a fan.

 

Only a true lover of a movie franchise would get upset over a flawed movie. If there's emotional investment, disappointment is always a possibility. No potential for being disappointed = no real interest.

 

I was a Star Wars fan in 1999 when Star Wars was just four films. Episodes 1,4,5 and 6.

Now in 2017 I am merely a 'retrospective enthusiast' due to the more recent films and the disappointment and anger which they incurred.