I’ve been a huge “Star Wars” fanatic since my introduction to the mythos of the Skywalkers which, sadly, only happened several years ago.

As such, I was sure that I’d be able to appreciate – at least on some level – anything remotely “galaxy far, far away”-related.

It seems I was certainly wrong.

About 20-25 minutes – if not sooner – “Lego Star Wars” for the Playstation 2 begins to lose its appeal, with the speed of a pod-racer (or most of the prequel trilogy).

The reason for that is simple: it’s impossible to die.

Initially, this appealed to me on a self-indulgent level, since I’m notoriously terrible at video games. After a while, it seems that even a perpetual novice such as myself would get annoyed and find oodles of sadistic fun in watching Jedi fling themselves into bottomless pit-death just to come back seconds later, fresh as a Nubian daisy.

The game was purchased for me by my less than SW-knowledgeable boyfriend at the time. (He actually thought Yaddle was Yoda’s wife. All together now – let’s execute that obnoxious, group nerd laugh).

Following the prequel trilogy, the game begins with adorable, box-like versions of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi running through the corridors of the palace at Theed to prepare for their ill-fated negotiations.

Each scene is given its own mini-lego-segment.

Ultimately, the best use I found for the game was simply turning the screen off, kicking back and allowing the beautiful music of John Williams to fill the ambiance.

Until a few hours passed and with the grace and attention span of a zombie, I returned. And then I discovered the secret wherein Lego’s appeal lies: it’s remarkably – and mindlessly – addictive.

“Lego Star Wars” is almost “Katamari” with a more cohesive storyline, which actually works against it. (Remember mindlessness?)

This is when I first noticed that in death, you lose the coins you work so hard to collect throughout each level, which can be used to purchase costumes, characters and other fun items.

Some in-level activities are timed and surprisingly difficult (at least for me). It took me nearly an hour to finally finish Anakin’s pod-race sequence, though given my video game prowess that probably isn’t saying much.

Each character type is given a unique ability. Jedi like Anakin, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon have the use of telekinesis. Shooters like Padme have grappling hooks. R2-D2 can hover.

This requires the use of several simultaneous characters in various levels, since they have to work as a team and use their respective skills in order to win. While no puzzle is incredibly challenging, they’re all fun.

Quite a change from my earliest assessment, isn’t it?

Ultimately, instead of Williams’ ingenuously dramatic score being the sole reason for the game’s appeal, it becomes a perk. Play “Lego Star Wars” expecting lazy, mind-numbing entertainment.

It’s the best game for flu season.

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