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Published on Friday, May 7, 1999 - 1:42pm |
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Captain Crunch's STAR WARS EPISODE ONE Review
Here we go..... This is how you are supposed to watch STAR WARS. Captain Crunch here is right on the money in terms of... How to react to this movie. Star Wars for many of us was the film that made us first notice film. And we were in awe of it. Goofy smiles were planted across our faces and we fell in love. But... Something has happened in the last 15-20 years. We grew up. We watched more movies, began critiquing them. We began to intellectualize about films. We began to take them seriously. However, STAR WARS (for me) has always been about the immature kid in me. The one that gets all excited and shouts with glee. And, I have to admit that when it comes to STAR WARS all my normal sensors will be turned off. I will simply.... be a kid. However, this won't be the case for everyone. There will be those that see THE MATRIX or BLADE RUNNER or 2001 and hold them on a higher plateau and cast stones from that seat on high, but... The fact of the matter is.... I love those films too... but with a different part of me. The part of me that grew up, that became.... Adult. The kid still longs for STAR WARS and aliens and beings from a thousand galaxies. Last night I saw DARK CRYSTAL... I love that film, but in the audience was a fella who had seen STAR WARS up in DALLAS. My only question for him was... "Is it better than Dark Crystal?" He smiled a toothy crooked grin and said, "THE PHANTOM MENACE MAAAAAAAN!!!!" and started giggling. Yeah.... Ok..... THat's what I wanted to hear. A person devoid of human thought because he had seen.... THE PHANTOM MENACE. For an example of this, read Captain Crunch's piece!
There are NO SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW, just some thoughts & feelings on the
experience of FINALLY seeing the movie. By the way, KEEP YOUR SHIELDS UP,
there ARE surprises, there are things we do not expect. (Although I must say
that I am relieved that I can let my own shields down & not worry about
spoilers any longer.)
I just saw Star Wars Episode I.
I JUST SAW STAR WARS EPISODE I!!!!!!
I saw those words on the screen again, "A long time ago, in a galaxy far far
away..."
A dream came true.
I loved this movie.
I LOVED IT!
It WAS Star Wars. As much as any of the others. To me, that is all the review
the movie needs.
I cannot WAIT to see it again. And again. And again...
How did all this happen? Well, through an incredible stroke of luck
(and shameless begging), I was able to get a ticket for EPISODE I for today
(Thursday, May 6). Needless to say, sleep was fleeting last night, I was a
jumble of excitement and disbelief. This was a day that felt surreal. Was I
actually going to see STAR WARS? We have all been waiting SO LONG for this
moment that there is a certain sense of unreality about it. A new STAR WARS
movie? The first in a SERIES of new STAR WARS movies? After all these years.
My God, it is really happening. Part of me kept expecting someone to say,
“sorry it was just a daydream, it’s not happening.” (In truth it WAS a
nothing more than a hopeful fantasy until very recently.)
When I sit down to try to write a review, the only thought that comes
to mind is “Who am I, that I would dare critique a new chapter in this great
work?” I realize that my initial response to STAR WARS is always almost
totally emotional, not intellectual, not philosophical, and certainly not
completely rational. All those things come later, as I reflect back on the
movies and see them again and again. This whole experience, the waiting, the
countingdown, the mad rush to see the trailers with hundreds of other
screaming fans, lining up to be first inside TOYS R US when it opens at 12:01
am, all of it has been like being eight years old again. STAR WARS was such a
defining part of my childhood and EPISODE I has taken me right back there. I
was sitting in the dark theater, gazing up at the screen in total wonderment,
not questioning, not critiquing, just letting it wash over me & sweep me
away. STAR WARS is, for me, about FUN, about WONDER, and about innocence.
STAR WARS has always been accessible to children (don’t forget, most us us
“rabid fans” were children when we saw it). It is not a children’s movie in
the sense of being EXCLUSIVELY for kids, but it is, always has been, and
always SHOULD be an experience that children can treasure. It should be one
of the quintessential moments that forever sears the wonderment of the big
screen into children’s minds and metamorphoses them into life long movie
fans. I would never have it any other way. I do not WANT to experience STAR
WARS as an adult, or even an adolescent, I want the eight year old in me to
open his mind again and I want to see it through his eyes. I did and I LOVED
IT!
As for the worries that people have expressed on this site:
JAKE LLOYD was wonderful. (Personally, I never had any doubt.) I was so
completely drawn to Anakin Skywalker. He was my favorite character in the
movie. To me, the journey from innocent young boy to tyrannical Darth Vader
is the most interesting part of this new trilogy. (I imagine there will be
folks out there who disagree, I am NOT saying I am right, just stating my
opinion.)
JAR JAR worked for me. He will NOT work for everyone. I believed his
character. I found his humorous moments charming. (All the kids in the
theater cracked up at his antics and frankly, that warmed my heart.) I also
thought his depth of courage and conviction was moving.
I loved it.
It was Star Wars.
What more needs to be said?
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Reader Talkback
It will be fine... by mpyre | May 7th, 1999 01:57:36 PM | yeah by Mathias | May 7th, 1999 02:11:35 PM | Episode I by darken | May 7th, 1999 02:23:51 PM | Be The Kid (But Don't Buy The
Book) by BingoT | May 7th, 1999 02:39:27 PM | The Score by Josh Acid | May 7th, 1999 02:42:34 PM | Darth Vader/Titanic comparison by HAL9000 | May 7th, 1999 02:47:05 PM | Peter Pan theory by Fenn | May 7th, 1999 02:48:24 PM | Fine--but not good or great by primemover | May 7th, 1999 02:50:07 PM | it's about time... by Everett Robert | May 7th, 1999 02:52:51 PM | TPM by Van Helsing | May 7th, 1999 02:59:00 PM | Didn't Like It? Screw You! by dmodog | May 7th, 1999 03:27:07 PM | Let's talk history.......... by RobinP | May 7th, 1999 03:28:16 PM | In regards to Neeson by greegor | May 7th, 1999 03:30:08 PM | Star Wars!!! by Obnoxious Bitch | May 7th, 1999 03:38:35 PM | where's that article? by r7286 | May 7th, 1999 03:47:18 PM | Quit pandering to kids by Marchen | May 7th, 1999 03:49:07 PM | NOTHING in Empire or ANH by Everett Robert | May 7th, 1999 04:19:03 PM | To hell with kids. Do you
hear me? TO HELL. by TheMalcontent | May 7th, 1999 04:19:09 PM | Obnoxious Bitch by Dolfanar | May 7th, 1999 04:24:12 PM | a quick comment to
TheMalcontent by Everett Robert | May 7th, 1999 04:26:29 PM | Face It, People by Rebeck | May 7th, 1999 04:33:49 PM | flip flopping by Cthulu | May 7th, 1999 04:43:37 PM | Baaaad sign, having to check
your brain by Dr. Channard | May 7th, 1999 05:05:36 PM | Phantom Phoolery by GrouchLord | May 7th, 1999 05:23:06 PM | Phantom Menace by downhiller | May 7th, 1999 05:39:15 PM | Pointless Plotlines 2 by GrouchLord | May 7th, 1999 05:44:27 PM | You dumb nerds...you can't
have one without the other by Violet Fire | May 7th, 1999 05:51:12 PM | I'm glad by Yossarian | May 7th, 1999 05:58:42 PM | About lowering mental
capacity... by CMC | May 7th, 1999 06:02:32 PM | "The Menace Phantom?" by Prankster | May 7th, 1999 06:11:30 PM | star wars review by tkip | May 7th, 1999 06:17:37 PM | I'm a pretentious ass. by TheMalcontent | May 7th, 1999 06:19:56 PM | I'm a drooling infant by Prankster | May 7th, 1999 06:32:09 PM | Think About It? by Rebeck | May 7th, 1999 06:34:56 PM | The Matrix, TPM, and Star Wars
Nerds by rmfruit | May 7th, 1999 06:48:08 PM | some good points here by Everett Robert | May 7th, 1999 06:48:51 PM | Apologia pro vita sua. by TheMalcontent | May 7th, 1999 06:51:15 PM | my two cents by A Fan | May 7th, 1999 07:05:52 PM | more star wars comments. by tkip | May 7th, 1999 07:10:33 PM | a kids movie by magmox | May 7th, 1999 07:40:00 PM | Can't We All Just Get Along,
Join Forces and Defeat the
Empire? by MaulContent | May 7th, 1999 07:41:29 PM | A young fan's ramblings... by TK-421 | May 7th, 1999 07:51:58 PM | Yall Bicker to much... by Cricketx1 | May 7th, 1999 07:53:42 PM | Phantom Menace by dracog69 | May 7th, 1999 08:00:38 PM | quityerbitching by Rani23 | May 7th, 1999 08:30:58 PM | Enough already by not_a_jedi_yet | May 7th, 1999 08:39:44 PM | Hey Malcontent! by Foster Zygote | May 7th, 1999 08:44:33 PM | A question for Dolfanor by Creep | May 7th, 1999 08:54:01 PM | another post about Darth
Sidious, as I will keep on
posting unti by 4-LOM/Zuckuss | May 7th, 1999 09:00:35 PM | STAR WARS by jazcat99 | May 7th, 1999 09:05:10 PM | Why ROTJ was a disappointment by JohnSimon | May 7th, 1999 09:14:17 PM | This is ridiculous... by Bret Randall | May 7th, 1999 09:23:53 PM | star wars by alcester | May 7th, 1999 09:39:27 PM | JJ Gittes: About ROTJ and the
Balance of the Force by Violet Fire | May 7th, 1999 09:43:33 PM | Wrapping up this totally
wasted day in my life. by TheMalcontent | May 7th, 1999 09:49:58 PM | Hello by droid | May 7th, 1999 09:54:44 PM | A few comments by FilmBoyJoe | May 7th, 1999 10:07:16 PM | Back to Oz by petros | May 7th, 1999 10:47:03 PM | Episode one, audience zero by Reverand NHB | May 7th, 1999 10:52:44 PM | I've read the book by Jona82 | May 7th, 1999 11:40:07 PM | I'm first! by Josh Acid | May 7th, 1999 11:44:49 PM | Darth Sidious and Senator
Palpitine are twin clones who
want to by GrouchLord | May 7th, 1999 11:57:34 PM | possible objectivity? by Lazarus Long | May 8th, 1999 12:01:55 AM | Take it easy, people by falconIV | May 8th, 1999 12:11:38 AM | Its STAR WARS. by Morphbacca | May 8th, 1999 12:38:45 AM | Repect thy fellow users by McDanz | May 8th, 1999 12:45:23 AM | ROTJ agreement - letdown (I
know - off topic) by luckylou | May 8th, 1999 01:31:56 AM | Lest ye be judged
yourself....and stuff. by Monkey Lord | May 8th, 1999 04:39:57 AM | Well, golly... by alison | May 8th, 1999 05:04:42 AM | what's ANH? by alison | May 8th, 1999 05:10:34 AM | ROTJ was sub standard by the boom | May 8th, 1999 06:08:58 AM | Who says TPM is geared to
selling toys to kids? by Nordling | May 8th, 1999 06:38:53 AM | SW Phantom by snchandler13 | May 8th, 1999 06:51:18 AM | 4LOM-ZUCKUSS -you are right! by TABALF | May 8th, 1999 06:56:55 AM | Star Wars Episode I by garydmedia | May 8th, 1999 07:12:19 AM | THE QUESTIONS by Flap Teddy | May 8th, 1999 07:22:49 AM | MATRIX vs STAR WARS and
"PANDERING TO KIDS" by xtopher | May 8th, 1999 07:39:54 AM | MATRIX vs STAR WARS by xtopher | May 8th, 1999 07:53:25 AM | The Palpatine/Sidious thingie by CMC | May 8th, 1999 08:09:52 AM | Animated SW by 0007 | May 8th, 1999 08:45:52 AM | Liam by Cooker | May 8th, 1999 08:52:54 AM | Story Arc by tdibble | May 8th, 1999 08:53:19 AM | Menace strikes back by Ugnaughty | May 8th, 1999 08:56:49 AM | Duel of the Fates by Lawyeron | May 8th, 1999 09:03:32 AM | Neeson's reasons by rudds | May 8th, 1999 09:43:04 AM | Money Menace, Episode 22 years
later by D.E.T.9. | May 8th, 1999 10:06:16 AM | Star Wars and the eternal
child. by 31695 | May 8th, 1999 10:24:01 AM | Sick & Tired by Pod Racer X | May 8th, 1999 10:24:03 AM | Phantom Muppets? Sesame Street
Wars? Star TeleTubbies? by scarydog | May 8th, 1999 10:37:26 AM | Why... by TheStarkiller | May 8th, 1999 10:47:39 AM | Pod Racer X... by Foster Zygote | May 8th, 1999 11:00:10 AM | yet another starw wars review
question. by tkip | May 8th, 1999 11:20:57 AM | Nostalgia vs. Film Product by Fellatious Bozon | May 8th, 1999 11:50:15 AM | These Brainwashed Reviews
Sicken Me! by Kirin | May 8th, 1999 12:18:55 PM | Book vs. Movie by Zarrax | May 8th, 1999 12:44:24 PM | GEORGE LUCAS IS NOT A GENIUS by Chi-town | May 8th, 1999 01:23:27 PM | enough already by vernfett | May 8th, 1999 01:49:38 PM | Stop bitching already! by The Black Adder | May 8th, 1999 02:00:45 PM | ...from less than 12 parsecs
away... by DarthFett | May 8th, 1999 02:23:08 PM | Ah, Episode One by Just Me | May 8th, 1999 02:43:32 PM | All you naysayers can suck my
ass! by Garth of Izar | May 8th, 1999 03:13:40 PM | Hey Gorgar by Foster Zygote | May 8th, 1999 03:48:29 PM | ha by dans baby | May 8th, 1999 03:48:32 PM | dans baby by Foster Zygote | May 8th, 1999 03:55:13 PM | Face the Facts by erasmus | May 8th, 1999 04:05:00 PM | GEORGE IS A SELLOUT???? by xtopher | May 8th, 1999 06:01:31 PM | Not so fast. by Foster Zygote | May 8th, 1999 07:53:40 PM | Nay my child.... I AM LAST. by McDanz | May 9th, 1999 12:00:22 AM | Darth Finious, there is
another, I am the LAST by GrouchLord | May 9th, 1999 01:53:28 AM | Nope, I am the last one.
hehehe by MacJedi | May 9th, 1999 02:50:32 PM | Darth Craven reports, the
death of the Last One by GrouchLord | May 9th, 1999 09:02:48 PM | Haha.... by Monkey Lord | May 10th, 1999 06:44:41 AM | ROTJ sucks??? by Immyjay | May 10th, 1999 08:28:12 PM | Crunchberries off the port
bow! by Wolfpack | Jul 24th, 2006 08:41:34 AM |
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