Movie madness column: ‘Wars’ at the theatre
By MIKE LOY
The amazing phenomenon called "Star Wars" is upon us once again. It’s not just a trilogy of movies any more, but an icon of the entire science fiction genre.
An entire industry has been based around this epic saga, and rightly so. It’s only the greatest science fiction story to ever grace the big screen with its presence (sorry Trekies, but you know it’s true).
I was hooked the first time I ever saw "Star Wars." I was about 5. I would have been standing in line waving my money at the theater on opening night; the only problem was that I wasn’t born yet. But I’m grateful that my dad had enough sense to make me watch it when he did.
But even as the extraordinarily huge "Star Wars" fan that I am, I am still amazed by the amount of hype that the new "Star Wars" movie is getting. The next movie is entitled "Episode I: The Phantom Menace," and it is easily the most anticipated movie in history.
It is predicted to be the first mover to ever gross $100 million on opening weekend. And I can believe that. Let’s see, that’s $5.50 per movie, at roughly three showings per day, three days in the weekend. Yeah, that will be $49.50 from me alone.
You can at least begin to imagine my joy when the two minute trailer of the new "Star Wars" movies was finally released. It’s been 15 years, or exactly 5,655 days, if you’ve been counting, between the 1983 premiere of "Return of the Jedi" and the nation-wide release of the trailer on Nov. 20 since we have seen any original footage from a new "Star Wars" film.
I can’t even imagine the chaos that this movie will cause when I see what only the trailer has done. It was premiered in New York in front of the movie "Meet Joe Black," and people were actually paying to see this movie only to see the two-minute "Star Wars" trailer and then leaving.
The movie theater had to bribe people into staying by showing them the trailer again at the end. And now that the trailer has been released nation-wide, most theaters have signs up telling viewers which films are showing it. I’m not kidding; check the ticket window at the Peru Mall.
Soon after that, many television shows got hold of the trailer, and it was shown on Entertainment Tonight, American Journal, Extra! And Access Hollywood. Although I’m not above the excitement either. I actually recorded it so I could watch it again and again. How pathetic is that?
This situation is completely out of hand, but I’m loving every second of it. Even the toy manufacturers are profiting, already. Kenner has just put out an offer for a super rare, limited edition, not found in stores, better send away for it now or your collection’s worthless, action figure of Jedi Master Mace Windu, who will appear in Episode I.
It’s a great scheme to sucker people into buying more action figures. They already have my money for the six upc symbols I need.
I only have another 175 days to wait until the actual movie is released, on May 21, 1999. I’m thinking about taking the week off work so I can be guaranteed a front row seat at the first showing.
George Lucas, my hat’s off to you.
12/10/98