I've lived a pretty good life. I have a successful marriage with two really great children. I am a cancer survivor (minor case), and have enjoyed good health to this point in my life. I am faithful in my Church attendance and participation. I never seem to make enough money, but somehow muddle through each month. I am moderately successful in my job performance in support of a worthwhile educational effort. I have enjoyed a Championship season from each of the athletic teams that I have chosen to support with the exception of in the NBA, and that isn't as big a deal as it could be, as I'm not the biggest basketball fan. I have dipped my toes in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. I've picked my own apples and strawberries, eaten fresh fish that I helped catch, enjoyed a steak at Morten's in Chicago, attended a baseball game at Wrigley Field, visited over half of the states so far, have completed a 5k run, won a couple of fantasy football championships, and have many great memories of times spent with family and friends.
In short, I don't have many legitimate complaints. And I try to avoid making them, because no one really wants to hear them. But, this week, I have one request. In the retelling of stories that I enjoyed from my youth, the people behind the productions have often adjusted the story to better fit a broader audience. I get and accept that. They have often taken the source material and completely changed facets of it to produce a tale unrecognizable from the original except for the character names. Some have still offered a decent entertainment value. Some have taken the story to new standards of excellence. But some have completely destroyed the memory of the original. This is what concerns me.
Of the childhood memories I have held most dear into my adulthood, none has remained as pure as "The Lone Ranger". It was my life when I was four. My family's Saint Bernard was Silver, and tolerated my trying to ride on her back while chasing the evil Butch Cavendish across the back yard. The very sound of "William Tell Overture" still grabs my attention. The memory is still pure, as the story has not been touched in years.
My only hope and request is that this new incarnation by Disney not suck. It doesn’t need to be Oscar worthy. I don't need it to be a life affirming tale of triumph. I am not expecting it to "complete me". I get that it is an escapist summer blockbuster. And I'm ok with that. Just please don't let it suck.