If I sound tired this morning, it’s a good tired…nay, a great tired. My buddy and I went to the 10:00 showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens at the Science Center of Iowa’s Blank IMAX Dome Theater…and it…was….AWESOME.
Now, that review coming from me could have easily been predicted, but let me tell you why it’s awesome…without spoiling anything…I promise, no spoilers.
As you can tell…I was excited.
When I arrived around 8:30…this was the line…the line that formed as soon as the doors closed for the 7:00 show…and everyone was excited.
There were fan theories being talked about…rumors…just genuine excitement.
My buddy Eric and I grabbed our seats…and we were ready.
Okay…I can’t tell you the last time that I got genuine chills when a movie starts…but when it went totally dark…and then there it appeared:
“Long ago…in a galaxy far, far away”….
Chills.
Then, the Star Wars logo shot across the screen…with the classic John Williams music blasting in….I clapped…I cheered…everyone did…this…was…happening.
From the get-go…it’s great. It grabs you…and never lets you go…and along the way, you are treated to amazing moments, amazing revelations, and amazing characters.
Rey & Finn are the new heroes we’ve been wanting since the original 3…they’re so good together…they’re funny, they’re witty, they’re courageous.
Everything you loved from the original three…somehow, in someway, makes an appearance during The Force Awakens. Whether it’s blatant or subtle, you find yourself smiling, laughing, or whispering “awesome”.
11…11 was the number of times the crowd applauded last night during the movie…and during one special revelation, you could hear the entire audience whisper “Whhhhhaaattt?”
Nothing in The Force Awakens felt forced…it all fell in together so perfectly. What I loved most about this movie was the presence of real people…actors in incredible costumes…it made you remember the original three. That’s what I can’t stand about the prequels…it’s all green screen & CGI. In the Force Awakens…it’s actual set pieces…the Millenium Falcon is a real, tangible thing.
For us Star Wars fans…we’ve always imagined what it would be like to be in the actual Star Wars world…and this movie takes you there. The characters make comments that you feel you would make…they’re in awe of Han Solo…we’re in awe of Han Solo.
The reveals are just so good…Kylo Ren is just the coolest villain…the practical special effects and sets are just mind-blowing.
I can’t wait to take my 5-year old son on Monday…he’ll have some questions for sure…and I’ll be happy to answer them!
If you have the chance….go see it on the Blank IMAX Dome screen at the Science Center…they’re sold out through the weekend, so I get it, you want to see it now, so yes, go to a regular theater…see it…and then get your tickets to see it in IMAX for next week. Us fans are going to see it more than once anyways…and it looked so good in IMAX. So, go do both.
Oh…and here’s for the non-fan…even if you’re not a fan of Star Wars…you’ll like this movie…you know the premise…good vs. evil…light vs. dark…it’s all you need to know.
Okay…bring on Episode 8…and step on it! The force is strong with The Force Awakens.
