The Phantom Menace returns to Theaters- this time in 3D!

Twenty-nine years after we saw Return of the Jedi, Dad and I returned to the theater, joined by SWGF-Ally SkyWalter and my wife.I bought tickets for the earliest show (1pm) at our local Cinemark but was surprised when I arrived, that they'd added two additional shows. I was fortunate to have gotten the earlybird price anyhow, so that was a nice bonus- especially since it's my 40th birthday. We got the best seats in the house. We expected a busy showing, like I'd seen at the opening last month at Red Tails, but unbelievably, there were only two other people in the theater. It made for an uninterrupted viewing, but was quite an oddity in my first day showings to be in a theater with only half a dozen fans.

I loved seeing The Phantom Menace on the bigscreen again. I recently watched a commentary for it on Blu-ray so my eyes were keen to see all the detail magnified. However, I was distressed to find that more than popping off the screen, many of the backgrounds were now just blurry. If I go again while its in theaters- I'd like to- I'd see it in 2D. At the moment, I really hope they expand the 2D screenings next year for Attack of the Clones. I think the format is not the point here- the point is seeing Star Wars in it's eye-popping, ear-candy bigscreen glory again. I truly don't want to tear the release down, but the absolute best use of the 3D form here was seeing the classic crawl float from just in front of me to the starfield beyond.

I've debated the future of 3D and this did not encourage me- especially for movies not made in the format. I'll likely see all the Star Wars movies in 3D as they're released, but I wouldn't be disappointed if they just have theatrical re-releases in 2D. I think it would be amazing to do this every decade or so so kids of all ages can enjoy them for the first time or one more time.

A 1999 Episode I hat, a -shirt of Han's blaster, and a free poster (lightsaber) made up my fanboy attire.