Glen the Coaxial guy here - last update before I go off to see today's debut of the EPISODE I trailer for myself.
Over-all, reader impressions of the trailer have been favorable - although many have complained that the FX in the trailer looked "too CGI" or "notably CGI", and few readers have indicated the focus on the trailer is too soft.
BELOW - a selected sampling of mails that have come in to AICN from readers who have seen the trailer for STAR WARS - EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE!
I just came back from viewing the new Star Wars trailer! I shall start with this: When the special editions were playing at the theatre I worked at, I got a lump in my throat whenever the audience cheered.....
The lights remained dimly lit as the commercials for Coke and the new Beetle came on. Then, the Cineplex emblum awared us of the comming attractions. With the lights remained on, the preview started...It was some comedy drama with Robin Williams. Most of the theatre laughed, not because it was funny, but because they obviously thought that they were going to see the preview we've all been anxiosly waitijng for.
A couple more previews started and finished...and then, the lights dimmed out.
The audience was in silent awe as the 20th Century Fox logo appeared. Then the Lucasfilm logo. Then we all continued to watch the new prequel trailer of the films which have been anticipated for over twenty years, changed the lives of many, and inspired just about anyone it has come in contact with: Star Wars!
My heart raced, and breathing became difficult as I watched unfathomable scenes! Nobody said a word until they knew for sure, that the preview was over. And when the final credits disappeared, the audience roared, and I broke down. Ever so much more than when I worked at the theatres.
I am still not sure if I really saw it, or it was a dream. But one thing's for sure...I don't know how I'll survive when I'm watching the actual movie for the first time.
I am an inhabitant of Illinois and I could hardly sleep through the night my excitement was that out of control. I was only a one year old when A New Hope came out in 77, but after seeing the teaser today, history will continue itself in 1999.
The trailer was everything that I imagined it would be and more. I noticed right away that Lucas has approached this new film with an eye for beauty. There a few shots of the queen standing in front of a grand window, she is a definite product of ancient Chinese artwork and culture, incorporated into a future/past that we all know as STAR WARS.
There was allot of CGI, I could tell right away, but it looked good. I have come to the conclusion that we will always be able to tell the difference between live action and computer generated action. Lucas made a good choice when it came to re-creating Yoda. Yoda is still an animatronic live puppet, and good thing. A CGI Yoda would have been going to far. JAR JAR BINKS was as every bit animated as I have heard. He will be a great new addition to the Starwars saga.
Again, I will say there was "ALLOT" of computer generated images, but it all looked good. At one point three guys got up during the preview and said I qoute, "F#$@# Star Wars, has gone CGI Sh@#$$. They left. Evreyone else in the auditorium hooped and holored in honor of the new film. Lucas has come shinning through.
"My reaction? Loved the human stuff, hated most of the CGI. Looked way too animated for me (It probably also didn't help that they show the Bug's Life trailer right before it. It was also slightly out of focus)."
"The excitement of the trailer is only a snippit of the blockbuster release that will place more pieces into the Star Wars puzzle. I saw the trailer for episode one today three times at the quarry theatre in San Antonio. It was totally awesome. It was shown in the typical star wars motif: fast with an underlying theme of drama and excitement. This will be the film of the milenia. The shots of the jedi Council foreshadow the destiny wich would doom the Jedi.........and they knew it was coming. I think the trailer ws great but what about the episode one poster. Typical Star Wars> Simple in its brilliance. C'mon May - Hurry up!!!"
"I live in NJ and saw the trailer today at 1:30 and all I can say is INCREDIBLE!!!!! I have never seen special effects that good. That 2 minutes or however long it was had the best effects I have ever seen hands down. It almost brought me to tears. I can only say watch out Titanic because Star Wars is coming."
There are few times in a life when you get exactly what you want.
Like so many geeks out there I've been anticipating this trailer, and my god Lucas came through.
Looking around the theater at the 15-20 twenty-somethings just like me and just sharing the knowing glances after the trailer when we a left.
Pure magic! Perhaps three people can make me feel youthful yearning: Spielberg, Henson and Lucas. May I feel like this forever.
