Star Wars Returns to the Big Screen in 3D

February 07, 2012, By Whit Honea 2 comments

Whit Honea

On Friday, February 10, a new generation will be able to experience something for the first time—something they've been preparing for their whole lives (by "preparing" I mean via assorted DVD and Blu-Rays, video games, cartoons, books and a 52% slice of the American pop culture pie chart*). They will be able to see a Star Wars film on the big screen. And it will be in 3D.

Granted, it's "Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace," which means that said new generation is going to see the movies in chronological order according to storyline (yes, all of the Star Wars movies will be released in 3D) rather than the order in which they were originally shown in theaters (which is the order that everyone I've ever met insists on introducing the films to their children), but don't let that stop you.

My eight-year-old son and I were recently invited by the folks at 20th Century Fox to visit Skywalker Ranch and Lucasfilm for a media event launching the 3D version of "The Phantom Menace." Needless to say, I am now a god in the eyes of my son and will be able to play this trip as my "get out of bad parenting" card for years to come. He had a blast.

We, meaning all of the invited media and a child of their choosing (we could only bring one, much to the chagrin of my younger son), stayed at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco, the lobby of which was quickly taken over by young Padawans (yes, they had Jedi training courtesy of Master ObiShawn) and must have left the Thurston Howells of the world mumbling into their morning cognacs. It was a nice touch.

We were walked through the sound and art (models, props, costumes) of the Star Wars universe by the people that helped create it, and you could feel their pride and excitement. They interacted warmly and graciously with the children, meeting them constantly at the hub of geekdom that unites us all. Also, Storm Troopers!

For a 40-year-old guy who grew up with Star Wars, and has since seen its reach expand even further through the eyes of my two sons, it was an amazing, almost surreal, experience. Every time that my son and I fell behind on the respective tours (to pose with the actual Han Solo in carbonite, speak with a roaming R2-D2 and other totally understandable reasons like that) I couldn't help but feel like we had slipped away into the wonderful world of Wonka. It was that awe-inspiring. Fun fact: The snozberries really do taste like snozberries.

However, the moment that the magic really hit home came shortly after we sat down in the Lucasfilm theater—we had just put on our 3D glasses (the 3D, by the way, was incredibly clear and provided a depth of scope and beauty that even made Jar Jar something to behold), and I looked at my son who was, literally, on the edge of his seat. Then the Star Wars theme started and a shiver went through the audience. The scrolling words faded into the stars and my boy was right behind them. The Force in him had never been stronger.

"Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace 3D" opens everywhere on Friday, February 10. It's the weekend family film that you are looking for.

*actual slices may vary

Disclosure: We were the guests of 20th Century Fox, and they provided air, room, and memories that will last a lifetime. The review was all me. My son didn't help at all, which is pretty messed up.