Long Wait Ends for 'Star Wars' Fans

[zippyjuan]

Long Wait Ends for 'Star Wars' Fans

Christian Bontigao, of Jersey City, N.J., dressed as a Star Wars stormtrooper, directs traffic along a midtown street as he waits for the opening of ``Star Wars: Episode III _ Revenge of the Sith,'' in New York, Wednesday, May 18, 2005. GREGORY BULLMay 18, 2005 11:08 PM EDT
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - As Wednesday night gave way to the Thursday morning arrival of the latest "Star Wars" film, the Force swept across the United States with the speed and precision of a Jedi light saber.

People waiting in lines outside theaters for days and in some cases weeks could hardly contain their enthusiasm as the clock wound down toward midnight showings of "Episode III - Revenge of the Sith." Some put on costumes of their favorite characters, and many arranged to take the day off from work Thursday to recover from the all-night adventure.

"This is a big event for all of us," said Russ Rolle as he waited outside Edwards Big Newport, one of the largest theaters in Southern California. The 23-year-old student has been taking turns with friends since May 8 saving a spot in line to make sure they catch the first showing. His wristband identified him as No. 7 in line for one of the 1,200 seats to the sold-out 12:01 showing.

Similar scenes played out around the country ahead of the opening of the sixth and final episode of the seminal science fiction series created by George Lucas.

"I'm a typical 'Star Wars' geek, trying to see the final episode," said Jimmy Burns, 32, who helped his Rebel Legion fan club be first into a Georgia theater on the outskirts of Atlanta.

In Boston, the entire 16-person staff of a Web development firm planned to take Thursday off to see the film. The outing was paid for by the company - popcorn and soda included.

Seth Miller, the president and chief executive of Miller Systems Inc., said the tradition began with "The Phantom Menace" in 1999.

"It speaks to our culture. It's the benefit of not working at a giant monolithic - dare I say 'Imperial' - type company," he said, referring to the Empire in the "Star Wars" films.

In New York, hundreds of fans, many dressed as their favorite characters, lined up outside the Ziegfeld Theatre in Manhattan. One of them, Jeremy Ricken, came all the way from Oswego, Ill., to catch the flick with a couple of old college roommates. Ricken, 34, couldn't resist the opportunity to take advantage of the one-hour time difference between New York and Illinois.

"It'll be 11 o'clock in Chicago when the movie starts here, so we'll get to see an hour of it before they get to start," said Ricken, dressed in an Obi-Wan Kenobi costume.

Tickets for the movie went on sale last month, and many fans who couldn't bear the thought of a bad seat began camping out well in advance. At the Newport Beach theater, a second line formed Tuesday for the slightly less-obsessed - and who may or may not be able to get a seat.

Don Trim, 53, an accountant from Anaheim, got into the spirit of the event by dressing in the khaki-colored tunic, leather boots and belt of a Jedi master.

"I'm not as excited as a little kid but I'm still pretty excited," said Trim, who recalled waiting in line for the first "Star Wars" film back in 1977. "It's a way of staying young, having fun."

In Chicago, 31-year-old graphic designer Ben Delery said that for him "Revenge of the Sith" was the most widely anticipated of all six of the "Star Wars" films. He noted it finally explains what drives Jedi hero Anakin Skywalker to embrace the dark side and transform himself into Darth Vader.

"This is the one that everyone wanted to see, the one that will shut everyone up," he said.
________________________________

And guess what- I happen to have a Star Wars picture! C3PO is in town (you can see him inside the Museum of Man in Balboa Park). He is in a case so there are some reflecions.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/JeffryZ/C3PO.jpg

[attgig]

just got back. it was good. brought everything to a clean resolve.

[yippiekiyeh]

That's what I wanted to hear... that it answers the questions and everything is beautiful.

[Devhux]

AWESOME movie. Too bad my midnight showing experience was ruined by the theater staff and their extremely bad attitude when it came to electronics (even waiting outside when there was two hours or so before letting us inside).

Oh well, at least I can say I've seen all the Star Wars films now. :)

[Merlin]

I am sitting at my desk at the office and can't concentrate at all. All I keep thinking about is getting to see this asap.

Glad to see it getting good reviews.

[TofuNinja]

I will see this, but can wait for the crowds to die down. I read the book and so I know the movie will kick ass. I know what happens and just want to see if what I pictures comes out on the film and I am sure it will. Star Wars Rules!

[mcs328]

Seeing it tonight at 6:50. I'm old and would like a quiet audience...hopefully people cheer too loudly that I miss something.

It's got to be better than my Spider-man experience. Film melted at the end. Audience cheers two people in Spidey underoos who act final scene. Fin.

[DarkFury]

Seeing it tonight at 6:50. I'm old and would like a quiet audience...hopefully people cheer too loudly that I miss something.

It's got to be better than my Spider-man experience. Film melted at the end. Audience cheers two people in Spidey underoos who act final scene. Fin.

if you want a "quiet" experience... then maybe you should wait about a week and then go see it at the 10:30 am - 3:00 pm showings (hopefully by then... the folks with jobs won't be taking off from work to go see it... and the kids will be in school)

[brainsmile]

I agree... I'm gonna wait a week

[Merlin]

I feel a case of wookie fever coming :sick:. Might need to go home early today. :hehehmm:

[mcs328]

The Force is calling me...I don't think even waiting a week it'll be a whole lot better...so I held out on not seeing a midnight show and skipping work. Although I do have a sore throat...like fer reals and schitt.

[DarkFury]

The Force is calling me...I don't think even waiting a week it'll be a whole lot better...so I held out on not seeing a midnight show and skipping work. Although I do have a sore throat...like fer reals and schitt.
Sure... :shifty: Ahem... Ahem... (lclearing throat)


/me passes mcs328 a cough drop. :heh:

[CornMonkey]

AWESOME movie. Too bad my midnight showing experience was ruined by the theater staff and their extremely bad attitude when it came to electronics (even waiting outside when there was two hours or so before letting us inside).

Oh well, at least I can say I've seen all the Star Wars films now. :)
can you elaborate? i plan on taking my camera to take some pics of the people that i'm going with. did they not allow any electronics, including cameras, into the theater or something?

[Airencracken]

I was up for a day just to see it Fvcking Roxored!

[AmRivlin]

TMinus 5 hours!!! Irvine Spectrum IMAX,

But I am so tempted... can anyone say Torrent.

PM me, I might be able to suggest a link. ;)

[ShawnLee]

TMinus 5 hours!!! Irvine Spectrum IMAX,

But I am so tempted... can anyone say Torrent.

PM me, I might be able to suggest a link. ;)Actually, it's not IMAX. It's a regular print shown on an uber-sized screen. Just want you to know before you walk in and are pissed off at the quality. I personally think you'd be better off watching it on the digital projection than the giant screen.

As for a movie that I do want to watch in IMAX? Batman Begins next month.

[gear02]

i'm watching it at 10:30 tonight. I think we're going to go at 9 to get great seats.

[Airencracken]

IMAX? that's my next stop!

[AmRivlin]

BOOO, the spectrum isn't IMAX! Fandango, said it was. Oh well. I saw EP2 at the spectrum on DLP, and was pissed since all the speakers were blown. So this time I will just complain about the image. Oh well. only 7 hours left on the torrent.

[bachviet]

BOOO, the spectrum isn't IMAX! Fandango, said it was. Oh well. I saw EP2 at the spectrum on DLP, and was pissed since all the speakers were blown. So this time I will just complain about the image. Oh well. only 7 hours left on the torrent.
Which version (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7911494/) are you DL'ing? :D

[avlena]

TMinus 5 hours!!! Irvine Spectrum IMAX,

But I am so tempted... can anyone say Torrent.

PM me, I might be able to suggest a link. ;)

1) might not want to advertise that you're currently DLing it,
2) why in the world would u want to watch it on your computer? There's some movies that just need to be seen in the theatre, and i think this is one of them. I saw it on Monday (curtesy of a special work screening :hihi: ), and i don't think i would have enjoyed it half as much just watching it on a normal monitor.

[Showtime]

1) might not want to advertise that you're currently DLing it,
2) why in the world would u want to watch it on your computer? There's some movies that just need to be seen in the theatre, and i think this is one of them. I saw it on Monday (curtesy of a special work screening :hihi: ), and i don't think i would have enjoyed it half as much just watching it on a normal monitor.

:thumbup:

Wow, AV! That is telling a brother.... I wish my last gf could understand SW like you do. Props to Graf for grabbling himself a good SW understanding woman!

:wavey:

-j

[AmRivlin]

1) might not want to advertise that you're currently DLing it,
2) why in the world would u want to watch it on your computer? There's some movies that just need to be seen in the theatre, and i think this is one of them. I saw it on Monday (curtesy of a special work screening :hihi: ), and i don't think i would have enjoyed it half as much just watching it on a normal monitor.

GRR Avlena... Come on now, read what I said.

I am going to see it this evening. I have seen all these first on the screen the place they were meant to be seen, this will be the second at the spectrum.

BUT! if I "was" to download it, wouldn't it be helpful after the movie if there was a plot section I wanted to understand more, or perhaps just an action sequence I loved.

I own 5 of the 6 DVDs and the soundtracks, so while I am not a freak dressing up as a strom trooper, I am a fan and respect the people making the films, so I am a bit frustrated you didn't read the part about me going to see it first. and how I am not giving into temptation to start watching early.

[Thesifer]

Just finished watching Star Wars III. I think it was pretty awesome. In my opinion it was on par with the "First" 3 Star Wars movies, Some parts are a bit reminiscent of the newer Star Wars movies, but overall It was much better.

[Devhux]

can you elaborate? i plan on taking my camera to take some pics of the people that i'm going with. did they not allow any electronics, including cameras, into the theater or something?

At the theater I went to (here in Calgary, that is), they were even getting annoyed by people taking pics outside of the theater -- threatening that we'd better put the cameras in our cars before the show starts (in a very rude attitude, but whatever). Once inside, portable DVD players / GBA's / etc. were allowed, but that's it. I remember back during Episode II, there were a few laptops around that were playing Episode I -- but this wasn't allowed this time. Their idea was that if your laptop had a USB port, you could attach a camera to it and press record. So much for watching Clone Wars before the event (since we were in the theater 2 hours before the film.

It wasn't enough that the stuff was kept in our bags -- our bags had to be removed if they knew what was inside. Heck, they were even trying to ban cell phone cameras -- THAT one I had to laugh at.

Don't get me wrong -- I know the threat of piracy is real, but they were definately going overboard IMO.

As such, this is probably the last time I'll attend a midnight showing of anything -- at least at that particular theater.

[Merlin]

Just saw it and really liked it.

We need to start a spoiler thread so we cantalk about what happened.

[AmRivlin]

So I just returned!!! I enjoyed it, thought it was an equal to II, and of course better than #1. It did sum things up nicely. A few things went unanswered, but I am sure gurus could tell me at some point.

Why all the newish looking ships. Wouldn't they just keep what they had in #2 if they were working. I know war brings on improvement.

Anyway i wont post any spoilers in here.

[Thesifer]

"Newish" Looking ships.. was to show the transformation as to how they got to the Episode 4 Styles.. since they were so much different in the First one .. Also.. due to the Change in the Galactic Bodies and who / what was making the ships.. They would gradually change a little bit over time.. and or .. get better.. Just like They come out with new Car models.. or New Software Revisions.. Fix the Flaws..

Like one of the "Imperial Shuttles" .. that started out as a "Republic Shuttle".. (The one that the Emperor is seen in flying to Anakin/Vader) In the next three movies.. It has a Lot Taller Stabilizer Fin on the Top.. Probably for more Precision Flying in an Atmosphere Environment.

[avlena]

GRR Avlena... Come on now, read what I said.

I am going to see it this evening. I have seen all these first on the screen the place they were meant to be seen, this will be the second at the spectrum.

BUT! if I "was" to download it, wouldn't it be helpful after the movie if there was a plot section I wanted to understand more, or perhaps just an action sequence I loved.

I own 5 of the 6 DVDs and the soundtracks, so while I am not a freak dressing up as a strom trooper, I am a fan and respect the people making the films, so I am a bit frustrated you didn't read the part about me going to see it first. and how I am not giving into temptation to start watching early.

woooow, defensive aren't we! ;) i saw that you were going to the showing, but i still stand by my point - it's just not enjoyable to watch it on a monitor. I didn't have a problem understanding the plot, and I'm not sure there's anything in it i'd want to watch over and over (unlike the yoda fighting scene from last movie), so i guess i did miss your point of using it for "reference". :P

[AmRivlin]

Av, point taken and agreed with. I was in a sense expecting to have a deep desire to see it again immediatley, but I can probably hold off for a bit, like tonight at the theater for the 3rd time with my light sabre. Ok, Kidding, really it will be my sixth time ;)

:p Well after II all I wanted was to watch it repeatedly, to see connections to four. While III was great fun and enjoyable, I found myself like you said, not requiring a reference, since it tied loose ends up, maybe too much... Many times in III they were just "saying" what could have been alluded to. Kind of like "Look, Obi Wan, this man is bad!" When it was easily assumed, i have specific instances but in respect to those who havent made it to the theater yet, which I highly reccomend, i will be silent.

The bootleg floating around, definatley is not the same as a 60" screen, which while not IMAX film, was definatley cool, even if I had trouble seeing the entire screen. But I must say, it is a decent copy, and for 1.4gb it better be. I would guess that this bootleg will hold some people over till the DVD becomes avaliable. I would guess 5 years ago when I lived in the dorm this would have been better than sliced bread, but today, I have no nerd neighbours to share it with ;) Baleted

[cheapie]

am i the only one that's saying, meh...i'll wait for the dvd and watch it in the comfort of my home theater?

[gear02]

you know...i wonder how long it will take movie theaters to realize that their problem ain't with your typical movie goer with a movie camera, USB cam, etc. First, the sound will suck. Second, it'll be very shaky. The ones they have to worry about are those who have a tripod and stuff, and those people that distribute either get dvd screeners or have a guy in a movie theater give him a private screening where he sets up his equipment. No distributed/bootleg movie will come from a general schmoe who buys a ticket during regular business hours

[DarkFury]

am i the only one that's saying, meh...i'll wait for the dvd and watch it in the comfort of my home theater?
Yes you are.... PARTY POOPER!!!! :pfft:


Some films are MEANT to be seen in the Theater... Star Wars is one of them.


With this one... I can rightly say that I've seen EVERY SINGLE ONE of them on original release in the theaters. :thumb: The way they were meant to be seen. :D

[PiPhiAngel]

apparently i'm one of the few that hasn't seen it yet. will wait until after finals are over...next week. so excited!

[Showtime]

:stupid:

Maybe on Sunday or tongiht I'll go see it.

-j

[Devhux]

you know...i wonder how long it will take movie theaters to realize that their problem ain't with your typical movie goer with a movie camera, USB cam, etc. First, the sound will suck. Second, it'll be very shaky. The ones they have to worry about are those who have a tripod and stuff, and those people that distribute either get dvd screeners or have a guy in a movie theater give him a private screening where he sets up his equipment. No distributed/bootleg movie will come from a general schmoe who buys a ticket during regular business hours

Well put -- considering I was fairly close to the front as well, what would a camcorder have REALLY given me -- somebody's face or maybe half a lightsaber?

Oh look guys, a cameraphone image of one of General Grevious' hands! MPAA come sue me!

Sheesh. :)

[GracieBayb]

i saw it yesterday with mike and several other people... we all loved it, but i was really sad when i left the theater...

we watched it at the fox theatre in westwood... the guy who played napoleon dynamite was there watching it too... it was so weird seeing him in person