In just 2 short days I am going to be seeing what may be the most hyped movie of all time- Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  To say I am excited would be an understatement. I can’t wait!!

I’m sure many of you have heard people saying ‘it can’t match the hype’ and others will say after it was ‘overhyped’.  I honestly have a hard time understanding this reaction and so I thought I would put in a plug for hype and why it can actually be a good thing.

First of all, I should point out that somehow I was born without sensitivity to over-exposure.  I could eat the same thing, listen to the same music, watch the same movies over and over again and never grow sick of them.  It’s just the way my brain works.  If I like it on viewing 1, I like it (sometimes more so) on viewing 30.  I have books I reread every year and enjoy them just as much as the first time.

I honestly can’t think of anything that I liked and then hype ruined for me.  It just doesn’t make sense to me.

There are a few times when something has been over-sold to me.  Like the first time I saw Monty Python and the Holy Grail I had heard it quoted a million times so I was a little disappointed.  Then I saw it again without the expectations and loved it!  The Godfather would be another example that once I just watched it as a movie and not anticipating a masterpiece I liked it much better.   When I came home from my mission people way over-sold M Night Shyamalan’s movie Signs, which I think many see the flaws in now but back then I was sold quite the bill of goods.

There are also certainly times when I disagree with the hype- like last years Birdman, a movie who’s popularity baffles me to this day.  It had some good things about it but I had big issues as well.  That said, I am happy that other people found something that inspires them.  I want everyone to enjoy the cinema.

So all that said how can hype be a good thing?

I think it is actually pretty simple.

Watch the news and what do you see?- war, destruction, natural disasters, crime, racial profiling and prejudice, abuse etc.  There is so much to be downtrodden and sad about.  Then look at people watching the Star Wars trailer or a little girl belting out Frozen songs.  The smiles on their faces say it all.  People hype things up because they love them.  You build up enough of that love, amongst enough people, and it becomes hype.  I’m not sure where the line goes to over-hype but I just don’t see how a bunch of happy people is a bad thing?

The other day I was having a discussion with a friend about the whole bronies movement.  This person was very critical of this particular fandom and while I think it is unusual if it is making them happy who cares? If they find connections and enjoy something weird together what’s the harm in that?

As I said there is so much to be discouraged about these days that even if I don’t share in the fandom (say Twilight or Batman) I love seeing the joy the participants have.  It feels good to be a part of something bigger than yourself in life.  I love when that can happen going all the way back to being a little girl belting out Little Mermaid for literally years.  Some happy moments of my life were probably groan inducing for the ‘over-hype naysayers’.

Such fandom and hype also can connect you to other human beings in a way maybe every day life might not (especially with social media).  For example, this year I went to a Survivor event in New York City and got to know tons of nice people.  All over a silly TV show! It was a joyous happy time and that’s what I am anticipating on Thursday- just  having fun with my friends and being happy together watching Star Wars!

So I hope people will just enjoy that other people are happy and excited about something in their lives.  If you aren’t into Star Wars than just smile and think about your own passions and what excites you.  Please don’t be a grumbler and poo-poo people’s good times.  If someone asks your opinion than say it or if you have a blog/channel post it but let people be happy and enjoy whatever it is they are pumped about.  Positive energy folks!  If Star Wars should teach us anything it’s that a positive force is a good thing!

What fandoms are you a part of?  What have you felt great hype for in your life (It’s fun when it happens right?)?  What has let you down that you were hyped up for?