the Phantom Menace
I saw the Phantom Menace at 12:01 am this morning. I was a part of the group waiting in line outside of the Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for 6 weeks. Was it worth it? Frankly, yes. Just to see this movie with this group of people who’ve become like a family this past month and a half. Just to see this movie sitting next to a 4 year old who laughed and clapped and loved it (Timmy, you were the coolest guy in line!).
I knew there would be people who would hate this movie. How can a movie live up to the countless expectations of most of the people in this country? It can only be what it was. An overall fun and amazing experience. I had grumblings about lack of character development and not enough of the Queen and Obi-Wan, who both rocked! And the ending sequence of the film really picked up and felt like the same old magic of the first three movies. Darth Maul was the perfect villain. As was Darth Sidious.
I don’t think this film will bomb. Too many people are curious. And by the end of the film, I wanted to know more. I had so many questions that were left unanswered. This movie was made for little kids who are going to love this. And this movie set up the next two. I liked it, loved parts of it, was disappointed by other parts of it, but I definitely want to see it again, if only to watch Ewan McGregor in action. He was awesome and he did not disappoint at all. I know I’m biased but really, he was beyond cool in this. He should have been it in more or rather, the movie should have focused on him more. Obi-Wan that is. Obi-Wan is such an intriguing character but you don’t get enough of him in this… This was such visual eye candy. I know I missed a lot the first time around.
This was an incredible experience for me. Not the movie. But the line. Waiting in line for 6 weeks on and off, when I had time to put in hours. I made friendships I know will continue. I made connections with people I will cherish and carry with me. I never expected that. I never expected that I would gain as much as I have from this whole adventure. And I would do it all over it again. Without a doubt.
