The first time I saw Star Wars, the line snaked around the theatre, and then some. 4 hours of slavering anticipation. :) The audience applauded the jump into hyperspace. First time I'd seen an audience applaud an effect... but, damnity, what an effect! This was in San Diego... a large theatre full of astounded sf fans. Leia's kissing Luke on the cheek "for luck" was a sweet touch, but I was just glad to see a Princess who could take care of herself and who had some gumption. 2 days later I was back, with a deck of cards in my pocket, but the line was only 2 1/2 hours. Matinee. :) A classic movie. The second one was better in terms of story and acting. The third was a disappointment. Stupid ewoks. Dumb redemption scene. Unmentionable droids. :gag: Lucas got into the toy business by forcing Hasbro and that other company (Galoob?) to fork over large chunks of their companies in exchange for licensing rights. When a director is filming for computer games and furry toys, he isn't making a movie anymore, but product promo pics. I saw the movie introducing Anakin because I am in the entertainment business and am supposed to keep up with this stuff. Hated it. Hated the kid. Hated the Jedi. Hated the man who destroyed his own franchise in pursuit of toy sales. The trailers showing the spoiled teenager throwing temper tantrums convinced me to stay away from teh next one. Move along. Nothing to see here. Just an accident. What hurts most is that Lucas had the chance to make something which would stand up to time, to transcend the genre. With the money he made from the first one, he could have done something wonderful. Carefully crafted. But, he didn't. Carolly