Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
While I didn't attend the 12:01 AM showing of The Phantom Menace when it made its May 19 debut, I did make a 9:15 PM screening in Dallas. (Did you honestly think I'd spoil the experience by watching it in my hometown? Be serious.)
Because of my "Movie With the Stars" auction, I had planned to see the movie on the 21st, since I had figured that there would be no way to see the movie on the 19th without advance tickets. Fortunately, one of my friends had someone buy tickets while we were in Los Angeles on a business trip, so I was able to attend the opening day madness after all.
And what madness it was. The line was absolutely huge, but the people who had bought tickets for the rest of our merry group were about the 20th people in line, so the theater doors were just within my grasp. We waited over an hour in line, watching the fans wearing their Jedi robes (And some girl wearing a floor-length red dress with Darth Maul face paint. I have no idea what that was about.), practicing their lightsaber moves. Finally, the doors opened, and we made our way to our seats.
Why is it that some fool has to feel the need to bring a laser pointer to every movie and shine the beam on the screen? If you are offended by this little diatribe and regularly bring lasers to movie theaters, you're a fool, and don't be in the theater I'm in. As per most movies these days, someone felt the need to shine their annoying red light just before the previews… and they almost got trampled. A massive chorus of "Hey!" and several other expletives were directed towards the offender, as well as several death threats. The pointer was never heard from again.
I was in denial before the movie started. How could sixteen years of waiting finally be over? It didn't seem possible, and yet, the theater lights dimmed, a long string of trailers went by, and then it happened: Star Wars. As the opening theme blared out, it was magic for me all over again, and with the slow opening crawl of a new Episode I, I prepared myself for the unexpected.
Actually, I tell a lie. I "cheated" and read the novelization.
Still, books couldn't prepare me for the sights and sounds on-screen, seeing old characters and new, and for the next two hours of an amazing film experience. I have to say that the action scenes were truly in top form with the pod racing and lightsaber scenes being my definite favorites. And how many people cheered when R2-D2 made his first screen appearance? If you want to read more of what I thought about the movie, my review is posted below.
Now that the movie is over, I have that feeling you get when you've waited for Christmas, and after all of the presents have been unwrapped, there's nothing left to look forward to. No, that's not true. There are two more films to go, and plenty of cool items to keep things entertaining, not to mention the home video (or DVD) release. Besides, Post-Phantom Depression can only last for so long, right?
Guy's Star Wars Rebellion Review - Guy Chapman
Guy's Star Wars Rebellion Episode I DVD Review - Guy Chapman
Internet Movie Database Review - Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Special: Episode I Rumblings - September-December 1998
Special: Countdown to The Phantom Menace - January-May 1999
Original Theatrical Release: May 19, 1999
First Video Release: April 4, 2000
First DVD Release: October 16, 2001
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