Now, I knew my boys and their friends would like the new Star Wars movie, no matter what. Because for one thing, they are boys. :)
Lol, it seemed 90 percent of the theater seats were filled with males between the ages of, oh, say 6 and 15. Bouncing in their seats, slurping on their sodas, waiting for the lights to dim. Lots of parents there, too, of course - some with equally eager faces, others looking resigned.
I was surprised to read some not-so-good reviews of The Clone Wars (which is animated, by the way); honestly, I really enjoyed it! And I'm not the biggest Star Wars fan out there, though I do enjoy the movies in general. I guess you couldn't pass through a 70s-80s childhood and not recall the Star Wars phenomenon with some nostalgia and fondness; it was a huge part of my generation. We were the first Star Wars kids.
I was 8 when the first movie came out (A New Hope). I remember it clearly - the movie itself, as well as all the hype. Because it was everywhere - on cereal boxes, lunchboxes and even on our Underoos. When I was in the 4th grade, my class performed a song from the Star Wars Christmas album, a rendition of "What Do You Get a Wookie for Christmas when He Already Owns a Comb?" This was for the annual holiday pageant, you see. We passed a shaggy stuffed wookie doll around, combing his hair (fur?) and tried to remember all the words to the odd, but remarkably catchy, song. Lights flashing, snow falling, R2D2 beeping. (To this day I can remember the tune and most of the words.)
But back to this new Star Wars movie.
Waaay back last winter I read a blurb somewhere about a Clone Wars movie coming out this August and Crackerjack, my August baby, declared then and there this would be his birthday movie this year. (For some reason my boys have always assigned themselves birthday movies - and often, their parties revolve around them.)
And so, this is what we did. On opening day, we went to a morning matinee with our friends to see CJ's birthday movie. Here is a brief interview with the birthday boy, in which he shares his feelings for The Clone Wars.
Timeline: Very early on a foggy Saturday morning. I'm sitting across the dining room table from Crackerjack, fingers hovering over the keyboard, ready to report ...
(My comments are in blue, CJ's are in red.)
So, Crackerjack, what did you think of The Clone Wars?
It was awesome!
And, what did you like about it?
(Long pause ... wide eyes ... muffled yawn. He peeks around to my computer screen.)
Hey, I'm not yawning!
Nevermind my typing, CJ. Just tell me what you liked.
The battles.
(Big surprise there.)
The battles? Those were your favorite parts?
Uh-huh.
Who were your favorite charactes?
The clones.
The clone troopers?
Yes! And Anakin.
Did you think Anakin was a hero?
Yes.
Do you know what happens to Anakin later on?
Yes.
(For those who don't know, he becomes Darth Vader, the ultimate bad guy.)
And what do you think about that?
Weird.
So, why do you like Star Wars so much?
It's exciting. It's cool. Annnnd ... I like the characters.
All the different alien types?
Yes.
Anything you want to tell people thinking about seeing this movie?
Um. Go to it!
Anything else more helpful?
Oh yeah, and there's also The Clone Wars tv show coming up!
And when and where will that be shown?
I dont know.
This fall on the Cartoon Network, I believe.
How do you always know these things?!
I just know these things. Any last Star Wars words of wisdom?
No.
What would you rate the movie?
10 stars!
So there you have it folks: an honest, if rather hasty, review. So don't believe what you read in the papers or entertainment mags - take your Star Wars cues from a 9 year old boy - the ultimate Star Wars fan. :)
The Clone Wars is rated PG for "sci-fi action violence throughout, brief language and momentary smoking."
Have a great weekend, everyone!