Up until now, I've never been to a midnight premiere of anything, let alone a Star Wars movie. So for this, the final installment, I packed up the lawn chairs and headed out to my local theater. Of course, I had to make a pit stop at Burger King along the way (bought all five different toys they had). Then it was off to the movies. I got there around 6:15 PM and hung out with some friends who were among the first in line (nothing like friends in high places). Just one look at the line showed how Star Wars could bring so many different people together. Even two of my friends who say they "don't like Star Wars" have been converted to the "Dark Side".

The experience was like none I can recall. The people behind me were playing Attack of the Clones on a portable DVD player. The people in front of my group had a big poker table to play Texas Hold 'Em and Clone Wars Edition Risk. More people were playing board games, TV (they brought a generator), and even parking lot soccer (while trying not to hit the cars ). My group had a different Risk, poker, Star Wars RPG, and...a ukelele. Someone in the very front had one of those $150 FX lightsabers with the cool power up/down effects. And that's just the line.

Inside the theater, we did the wave and somebody started up a strike like chant when the theater employees started purposely delaying the film. "What do we want? Star Wars! When do we want it? Now!" When the Star Wars logo appeared on screen, the whole crowd went crazy. Artoo's antics in the opening scenes garnered much applause and laughter. Yoda vs Palpatine, more cheering (especially when Yoda threw the Red Guards ). The death of Mace Windu and the fight between Obi-Wan and Anakin...silence. Then, more cheering as the credits role.

Though most left as soon as the credits began, I stayed behind. As the main theme played for the last time, I could leave the theater feeling contented. One chapter of the saga had come to an end, and only time will tell what the next chapter holds.

May the Force be with you,
--Shadowtrooper Out--