Yesterday marked the 22nd anniversary of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.

I still remember seeing the movie at the only digital screening in our area, which was a big deal for my dad. He was always trying to get ahead of the technology trends. From blackberries to a 47 disc DVD player he had it all.

George Lucas had shot the movie entirely in high-definition digital, initiating a wave of digital films and turning shooting on film into a trendy choice rather than the industry standard. *The birth of the film hipster.

At the time, I was headed towards the end of grade school and the start of  high school and didn’t particularly care about the difference, but my dad, always keen on being ahead of the technological curve, wanted to see it in its truest form.

I remember being very moody then. I don’t know the exact reasons, but I was starting to break out and going through the usual teenage changes. We had recently started to move from my Chicago home to the suburbs, which eventually had me to lose all my friends. Sad!

Despite my moodiness, I enjoyed the film, especially the dark beginning. I distinctly remember agreeing with Anakin Skywalker as he mowed down the Sand People. But by the time Yoda appeared in the final duel, I felt indifferent.

This is something I’ve never shared before. Looking back, I realize I was going through a lot. Just a few months prior, I was at home, playing with my Episode II action figures, reading Star Wars Insider, and playing Star Wars with my friends. The magic of Star Wars was still alive for me. The sudden end of that era was unexpected and out of my control, which probably explains my indifference.

I cooled off on Star Wars until Revenge of the Sith came out in 2005. That experience was simply epic. it is interesting to me that almost nobody talks about the impact that Clone Wars has on the saga. It pushed the limits and changed the pulse of the saga. It’s a marvel of a film – truly.

Now, as a guy in his 30s with a full plate (kids, family, college stuff, church, career, the stigma of being a failed writer), I can look back and see myself in Anakin Skywalker. He was a moody punk, and so was I. He failed to understand his emotions, just as I did—like most teens. We were both on similar paths. The only difference is that he murdered a bunch of people and turned into an evil galactic overlord because he couldn’t create a website to reflect on nostalgia. That’s the key to life, obviously.

Punch it, Chewie!