First off, there are a couple of spoilers in this review, but the real reason I'm posting this 'review' is because this came from somebody that I've not had much contact with... that comes from out there somewhere. How do I know that he's read it, or has it? Well let's just say tests were passed. Anyway, I can honestly tell you I have no idea even what continent this fella lives on. As far as I know he's Milo's Step-Great Grandmother (though I doubt it). There isn't a great deal of information here, but the brave soul did want me to post his email address so he could... interact with you folks. Take it easy on him... he doesn't know what he's opening himself up for.... ANYWAY.... here's his review... (SPOILERS WILL FOLLOW)
As I sat there with over 6 months to go until THE movie finally hit the stands, I wondered what it would be like to get my hands on the script. Would I read it? Would I have to lock it away for safekeeping? Would I be disappointed? Would it be everything I dreamed of? What if it's. lousy?
And now, the folder containing the treasured manuscript was in my lap. The details of how that came to be are of little consequence, because I had it. I scored the biggest deal of my life. Still with almost 5 months to go, I had it. I really did. Certain words and phrases are bolded on each page to signify which person leaked the precious document, so you can rest assured I will never scan it and no one will never get their hands on it. But my hands are holding it even now. I haven't been able to let go since I got the mail Saturday.
But let me start at the beginning.
I remember that fateful day when I was 6. The Movie Channel was about to premier Star Wars: A New Hope at exactly noon Sunday afternoon. The movie had been a smash hit in the theatres and now it was our turn to finally see it for ourselves. We had all the X-wings, all the action figures, and all the anticipation that was humanely possible in the mind of us kids. That day my dad was preaching, and let my brother and I and our friends out of church a little early, ending his sermon as he now fondly recalls at 11:55 AM. We ran across the church lawn almost as he was saying "Amen" and turned up the volume of our mono Sylvania Superset television.
As Darth Vader strolled aboard Leia's ship, I had no idea what a fanboy I was to become.
So I turn the first page of the script and see the words, "The Beginning" centered on the page. Third Draft. Written by George Lucas, May 13, 1997. Revised June 6, 1997. Yes, I had to read it. No force could have kept me away from it, and I turned the page.
I am still almost shaking as Harry replies to write a review of the script. It was far different than I had anticipated, yet still maintains the thrill of the universe we all have come to know and love.
Yes, they are back on Tatooine in the first episode, but for a reason that makes it believable, not because it's the 'center of the universe.' Yes, the cryptic reference to the 'Eopie' in Vanity Fair was a nice bone to toss out, but realizing Lucas envisioned them as "camel-like" and "strange" creatures makes my imagination roar, much less the fact that they pull the most of pods into place for the start of the race.
I never expected this kind of storytelling, or ever imagined this in a million years. And it has been worth the wait, let me reassure you. If the movie is half as good as the script, we are in for a treat. Why read the script? Besides being able to gloat over my fellow Sunday School class and youth group, at times I wondered if the movie could possibly live up to the hype and the never-ending comparisons to the original trilogy. I didn't want go into the movie with a lot of unreasonably high expectations which could not possibly be met. But could I have ever expected just how Anakin, the minute he first meets the young queen, just says to her, "I'm going to marry you." And how their chemistry begins to be fashioned even this early in the trilogy.
As I read it even now, I am electrified because I know something that most of the world still doesn't know. A great man once said, "For me, when I read a script, I see a completely different movie that what comes out in the theatre. Reading gives my imagination a chance to direct it." There's so much that has not been discussed and many things no one knows. Many of the major themes, like knowing there is a pod race cannot begin to describe it the way Lucas did it in the script and how he will on the screen. Ben-Hur eat your heart out.
It will be different than the feeling 20 years ago with my childhood friends around a small television. That much I know, but oh the magic is there.
I've seen it in my imagination, and soon we will see it for real.
MTFBWYA.......
