Happily, it really is good

You can read this, Watson. No spoilers, except that, as my 14-year-old critic wrote, "Everyone will go see it regardless of whether it’s any good. Happily, it really is good."

In fact, I was struck by the similarities between his review and the one Tom Racine and Lucas Turnbloom did at Tall Tales Radio, both spoiler free. We'll get back to that topic in a minute.

Keith Knight is an admitted Star Wars junky, and he summed up his anticipation prior to the release of the film. I'm not sure how much comic exaggeration is in this vs straight confessional. 

What I will say is that the generation gap for Star Wars is different than for most things. Keefe is also a huge Michael Jackson fan, and I recognize that the people who, as young teens, bought "Thriller" were having a different experience than those of us who, towards the end of our giving-a-damn-about-pop-music stage, saw the Jackson Five as one more set of Osmonds or Partridges or, godhelpus, Cowsills.

But the first "Star Wars" absolutely rocked, and it's hard to explain, to those who weren't there, the moment when that star cruiser roared across the screen, because nothing like that had ever happened before and nobody in the theater knew a movie could be like that.

That included not just the five-year-old next to me, who hadn't seen all that many films. It included 27-year-old me, who had.

I can say it, but I can't help you dig it.

And if the next two began to settle, as I've said before, into relentless toy commercials, they were, at least, really really good toy commercials. And, like a lot of things parents take kids to, I took pleasure in my boys' pleasure. 

So now, as Ruben Bolling notes, those little kids are grownups with kids of their own and I hope they can recapture some of the magic of their youth without embarrassing their kids too much. 

 

Meanwhile, over at Dick Tracy, Staton and Curtis remind us that our own generation has its beloved pop culture memories, too. And, while we don't feel compelled to don top hats and mufflers to watch the reruns, we are getting to a stage where our Quincy Magoo cosplay is becoming disturbingly accurate, and not intentionally so.

 

For the historical record:

So here's a bit of insiderness about how my 14-year-old reviewer got to see it before you, or even Tom Racine, did.

He'd been reminding me for a couple of months that, when the movie had its press screening, he wanted the assignment, but the list of screenings we get every week started going well past December 16 and there was no mention of The Force Awakens.

Finally, I dropped him an email saying that it looked like they weren't going to even preview it, given the high security around it and the fact that they didn't need reviews to sell tickets anyway.

Oh well. Tough luck, kid.

Then I got an email that wasn't the usual list of "Here's what we're showing when and where, let us know if you're sending someone."

For the curious, here's the level of security around Tuesday's press screening:

We are thrilled to let you know that your publication has been invited to the press screening for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. 

While NO guests are permitted, in your case I can approve a (1) one child + (1) one guardian, but both MUST abide by all rules below especially with regard to social media and sharing information about the invite.

PLEASE READ THE BELOW INFORMATION VERY CLOSELY AS IT CONTAINS SCREENING PROTOCOL THAT DIFFERS FROM OUR USUAL SCREENING PROTOCOL.

PLEASE DO NOT POST ANY INFORMATION, INCLUDING THAT YOU RECEIVED AN INVITATION, TO ANY SOCIAL MEDIA SITES OR SHARE THE BELOW INFORMATION PUBLICLY.

·         The screening will take place on Tuesday, December 15^th at NOON. Location will be emailed to you no later than Monday, December 14 at 1pm. This will be the ONLY screening prior to release.

·         There will be NO guests allowed.  Please do not ask, as there will be no exceptions made.

·         This invite is strictly non-transferable. Do not share this information with anyone. Your seat is not guaranteed until you RSVP and receive a confirmation email back. 

·         By RSVPing to the screening, you are agreeing to publish or broadcast a review of the film.  This screening is strictly for working press and your presence indicates that you intend review the film.  Said review must be published and delivered to me no later than midnight on Friday, December 18^th.

 ·         The official review embargo is set for 12:01 AM PST on Wednesday, December 16^th. No reviews should be published until this time.

·         Please RSVP to me no later than noon on Monday, December 14^th.  No RSVPs will be accepted after that time.

·         No recording devices of any kind are permitted inside the theater. These include video and film cameras and mobile phones, digital cameras, laptop computers, handheld computers, disposable cameras, tape recorders, digital voice recorders. If you do not wish for security to collect your device(s), please do not bring anything to the theatre.

·         The screening will begin promptly at NOON. No one will be admitted once the reps leave the front door and enter the theatre.

·         In order to give audiences around the world the opportunity to enjoy STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS to its fullest and allow them to discover its surprises and plot twists in the cinema, we respectfully ask that you as press continue to be our partners on this journey, and we ask that you refrain from revealing spoilers and detailed story points in your coverage, including on social media.

I know this is a long list, but we truly look forward to you seeing the film.

 I've been on secure military installations where it wasn't this tightly buttoned down. Then again, I don't think even Yuri Andropov was as eager to check out our nuclear facilities as Star Wars fans were to get an advance look at this film.

Thomas's folks decided that they wouldn't burden him with the secret, and instead let him think he was getting out of school for a dental appointment. This was better than a dental appointment, particularly for a kid who was wearing a Dalek t-shirt anyway.

There are days I like my job, but this was a moment where I really loved it. Talk about getting to see through fresher eyes!

 

Now here's your moment of zen:

 

 

Comments

[Ed Rush]

That was bright, to tell the kid it was for a dental appointment. I'll bet his later reaction was really something to behold. But I'm curious about the "Please do not ask, as there will be no exceptions made," right after telling you that they would make an exception for you.

[Mike Peterson]

Since our reporters are 14 and under, they bring a parent to reviews. That's why that portion was in red. The rest was boilerplate to other publications.