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from page 96
Anakin's mother, emerges from her
limo. She looks so frazzled by the
autograph stampede that she appears
ready to book the first flight back to
her homeland. And this is a minor
character, mind you.
It's finally time to see the movie.
Another walkie-talkie woman checks
our names on a typed list as we shuf-
fle onto the buses that will take us to
the theater. We're like anxious fifth-
graders gearing up for the greatest
field trip ever.
When we arrive at the Union
Square multiplex, we, well, arrive.
Security people usher us into the the-
ater via a special entrance. More fans
are swarming outside, pleading for
our passes. I step out of line to ask
another teenage guy how much he'd
pay for my ticket. His eyes widen,
and he offers $50 on the spot. I
decline, but not without causing a
Above: Ray Park (as Darth Maul,
the new face of evil) wields ruckus among the critics. Seems that
a mean kohtsaber. 20th Century Fox explicitly instruct-
ed that the passes are not for sale.
to conduct interviews with the stars
If Salman Rushdie ever traveled CO
(minus Ewan McGregor, who is
Iran, I doubt the security measures
AWOL for the event). It's while leav-
would be as tight as the ones I experi-
ing the suite that I hear the Liam
ence getting to my seat. Four check-
Neeson tea-distress call.
points. Two mandatory, individually
I'm so preoccupied by the Liam tea
numbered passes. Each pass electroni-
crisis, I almost don't notice Pat O'Brien,
cally scanned to confirm its authentici-
host of Access Hollywood and former
ty. My hand is stamped. Before the
CBS sports anchor, walk
film starts, a theater VIP
into the elevator. He
tells us to look around to
explains that the "Close
see if anybody has a
Door" button in an eleva-
video camera because,
tor doesn't do anything.
"You're one of the first
"It's a placebo," he beams.
audiences to see this film,
But I can't focus; I'm too
and we don't want it to
blinded by his bright blue
end up on the Internet.
jogging suit.
Did Lucas have this
Still, the elevator expe-
problem in 1977?
rience is minor compared
The lights go down,
to later that day. Like any George Lucas returns to
the music starts and the
the director's chair for the
good low-paid journalist,
audience roars. Two
I return to the 18th floor first time since the original hours-plus later, some
"Star Wars" to helm
for the free continental
people are clapping so
"Episode I — The
lunch. Waiting for the
hard, I wonder if they
Phantom Menace."
elevator, my friend whis-
get a cut of the movie's
pers, "Nine o'clock."
gross. The whooping
I turn my head to the left and see
reception, however, is likely a wel-
a boy and an older woman wearing
come relief to Jake Lloyd and
coordinating Star Wars T-shirts. How
Samuel L. Jackson (who plays Mace
...fashionable. It's not until they're out
Windu, a member of the Jedi
of sight that that my friend tells me
Council) — both of whom watch
it's Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker). I
the film with us.
guess I didn't recognize him in 20th-
The night ends early. After all, the
century clothing.
Lucas press breakfast begins at 8 a.m.,
By 5:30, the crowd outside has
followed by endless round-table inter-
grown. One teenage guy in a Miami
views with the cast. The junket is
Dolphins jersey swears he saw George
now in full promotional swing,
Lucas eight hours ago, so everyone
though I'm convinced nothing could
has a pen and memorabilia on perma-
ever top this day of hype.
nent stand-by. Suddenly, Pernilla
Well, I suppose one thing could:
August, the Swedish actress who plays
Star Wzr3: Episode II. Ll
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Detroit Jewish News
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1999
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