Contrary to what most fans will tell you, the Force is with "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace 3D." The first of the three prequels is regarded as the biggest disappointment for enthusiasts of the space saga. Friday's successful midnight screenings proved otherwise. Even a talking Rastafarian alien named Jar Jar Binks couldn't keep dedicated enthusiasts away from the multiplexes.
The movie made $1.1 million in midnight screenings. Fans were lined up early, donning costumes, lightsabers, and either Darth Maul 3D glasses or Podracer 3D glasses depending on what theater you chose. People were talking about everything from how they wished the original "Star Wars" was put out in 3D first to what the latest lightsaber phone app sounded like. It was a true mix of generations, fathers, mothers, daughters, and sons waiting anxiously together to be let into their theater.
Early box office predictions targeted the movie to bring in a little over $20 million for the whole weekend. Friday matinees were so well attended that by 1:30 p.m. the movie already made $11 million. The actual take for the entire weekend was $23 million. That's impressive for a film that's 13 years old and doesn't have much money to recoup as far as budget is concerned.
As far as the actual experience goes, it was cool to see Darth Maul's fight scene, the pod race, and climactic space battle in 3D. If you're expecting scenes where lightsabers and lasers come out at you, you're going to be disappointed. The movie looks exactly how George Lucas and John Knoll described it would in interviews. The picture is layered and has more depth. I would recommend any fan of "Star Wars" go see it just for the experience.
Lucasfilm plans to release one film a year, meaning fans won't see the original "Star Wars" in 3D until 2015. We'll have to weather two more years of whining from prequel haters. However, it gives me plenty of time to prepare myself for the ordeal of having to see Ewoks in 3D.
For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:
Voice Actor Dee Bradley Baker Talks About Being the Clones of 'Star Wars'
Actor Clancy Brown Talks About Voicing Savage Opress for 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'
Eric Shirey is the founder and former editor of Rondo Award nominated movie news websites MovieGeekFeed.com and TheSpectralRealm.com. His work has been featured on Yahoo!, DC Comics, StarWars.com, and other entertainment websites. Eric has interviewed and worked with actors like Harrison Ford, Brooke Shields, Gerard Butler, Brendan Fraser, Selena Gomez, and many more.
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