GEEK ALERT!

Everyone's got at least two showings, and thus the analysis begins. We've got a major set of conspiracy theorists here - Jon S., both Steves, Matt, and Tom - and it's really pretty humorous because I just can't see how the Tusken Raiders were recruited by Sidious to kill Shmi; it's a bit farfetched.

And I'm as big a geek as the rest of them for having an opinion on the issue.

"You'll be expelled! You won't get back to Hogwarts!"
"Anakin! You stole the Weasley's car!"
- John G.

So I suppose I should have my deep AOTC thoughts ready right now... but I don't. It'll have to be later, as I'm trying to participate in the conversation while I write.

At any rate... Mom's coming down to the city tomorrow to geek out for the weekend - two digital showings and the BMA. Should be interesting.

Does that make this the official AOTC reaction time? It's been thirty-six hours since the first official show let out, and while I'm tired (being off-cycle for sleep will do that to you), I think this is my chance - one hour in the park before my pictures are ready.

So what can be said about the 12.01 show of Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones? That it was a fantastic experience. That it was by turns mind-blowing, heartbreaking, voice-shattering. That I'll never think of opening nights the same way. Have I scratched the surface yet?

Cat and I scored some of the best seats in the house that night. Not that J109 and 110 are bad seats ordinarily, but our position relative everyone else was spectacular - Amit and Matt to the right, convulsing wildly; Victor behind, shouting when needed; and, several rows back, Cullen cheering at any opportunity.

We started to settle in around 11.30, I guess. I remember standing in the aisle as Steve called the half-hour warning. And it wasn't really until then that I got excited - that I realized that the next time I left my seat would be after the show. And then the lights dimmed, the curtains opened, and the show began.

Such excitement, right then. It was like the summit of a roller coaster or the Tower of Terror sophomore year - one single moment of stillness before an uncontrolled, exhilarating descent. Through trailers - five of them - and the Clearview service announcement commercial (to which Matt and Amit danced in their seats), and instead of THX, two new tech spots (DLP and Technicolor).

And then -

Fox. Lucasfilm. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

Star Wars.

Just incredible. Twelve thousand fans screaming at the top of their lungs through the scroll. Spoilers, preview screenings became almost immaterial - it was all new again.