3 years ago, The Dark Knight Rises made $25 million in pre-movie sales, a record at the time.
Then in 2015, along came a tiny little sequel, to a series that began in the late 1970’s, which before even opening has proven to be the Iceberg to Batman’s Titanic.
With more than $100 million in pre-movie ticket sales, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has set itself up to be the movie event of the year, the decade, and quite possibly all-time. What will ever be bigger than this? [unless The Force Awakens is incredible in which case perhaps Star Wars episode VIII]
We could legitimately be about to witness and experience the biggest movie event of all time.
SOUTH AFRICA AHEAD OF THE GAME
When I managed to book middle row middle of the theatre tickets for the three of us for the 12am first screening in South Africa I breathed a sigh of relief. Not only had I managed to secure first viewing rights in South Africa [at least til I found out my friends in the industry got to go to an even earlier pre-screening the night before, but that’s another story] but I also had the privilege of watching the new Star Wars before my friends in England, Americaland [as I call it] and New Zealand. I think possibly France beat us, but otherwise, we are pretty much at the front of the line [Note to self: block all French friends on social media til 2pm Wed]
In a world where movies have become largely of the superhero, sequel or remake variety, it is exciting to have something that feels like an event again. And even though Star Wars: The Force Awakens is technically a sequel, there is also a lot about it that brings the ‘New movie’ feel.
While some of the original cast have returned [most importantly the actors who play Luke, Leia and Han Solo] this movie is set 30 years after the last one and we all anticipate a handing over of the mantle so to speak. The Universe may be similar but with an absence of Darth Vader, The Emperor [is he really gone?] and Yoda among others, there just has to be a new feel to it. When the big baddie Kylo Ren fired up his cross-shaped light saber in the first glimpse we had of this movie months ago, we all knew that a significant page had been turned.
IT’S STAR WARS, BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT
Which leaves us with the million dollars [or $100 million] question of “Will it be any good?” Well, by the time you are reading these words I will know the answer to that. And the hugest part of getting to see it first or early on is the ability to make that decision yourself. I already have friends in the States and New Zealand issuing death threats [no, not really] to anyone who spoils it for them.
Is it time to leave social media for a few days and hide in that pillow and blanket fort you built in your mom’s lounge? It may be.
But all this to say, I am really looking forward to watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens and while it may not be for everyone, it is clearly for a LOT of people. If you are one of those, then I hope you get to see it untainted and experience it as the event it is.
May the Force be with you.
If you’ve watched it already or are about to, come and let us know what you’re feeling. I am nervous but excited and I do think it’s going to be a good one. But will it be great? We will know soon…