Yeah. I had high expectations for the 3D screening, hoping it would give me a new appreciation for the film, but damn it was disappointing.

It was my understanding that Maul was to have more lines in the movie. But they put Ray Park (?), the sword master in place. He (at the time) was not a actor. This was a smart move. I like Maul, but then again if you look at what I collect its all the dark side. Also in SW getting something cut off your body you get a replacement.

Yeah, Darth Maul is one of the only things that really works about The Phantom Menace and his lack of dialog is a big part of that. His relative silence makes him all the more menacing and badass. The three-way lightsaber battle with Qui-Gon and Obi Wan is genuine Star Wars movie magic. The rest of the movie is a mess of varying degrees.

any screencaps of Fake Windu? I'll be damned if I'm going to dig out my Ep 1 DVD.

This thread has some:
http://boards.theforce.net/the_phant...7/18063253/p1/

Deadline is reporting this had a $1.1m midnight opening.

I'm guessing it'll do around $20m for the weekend.

I never knew Floyd Mayweather was in Episode I!

I never noticed that before.

And according to that forum, the EU explains that away by claiming it's another jedi called Jarek Hygon (where do they come up with these names?).

Star Wars Name Generator

And with that, The Clone Wars jumps the shark. That's a shame, as it's the one Star Wars related thing I still kind of liked. This is like when I read Dark Empire, super excited for a post-ROTJ story, only to discover that the lazy assholes who wrote it resurrected not only the Emperor but Boba Fett as well!

Also, Eastasia has always been Oceania's enemy.

Reading how the Evil Clone was originally supposed to be a clone of Obi-Wan, but Lucas nixed it, made me all

I like Episode I and had a blast last night in the theater, but 3D was a complete waste of time with this film. It was too subtle to justify the release, and I would've preferred to watch it without the cool podracer glasses that I was given. With that said, bring on Episode II!

My friend saw a sneak in Novemeber and said you couldn't even tell it was 3D.

If Greedo always shot first then Lucas is a terrorist AND he's already won.

Estimates are now up to 33 mil for the weekend over on Deadline Hollywood.

That's odd...I saw the trailer in 3D before Hugo and could definitely notice the 3D.

Two other posters before me seem to say the same thing. Aren't there two different 3D systems? Maybe that's why? Don't know . . . But whatever. It's making 33 mil this weekend, so I'd guess we'll continue to get the series at least on Blu-ray.

Brian Posehn sums up the prequels well

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7IzTV8VoB9Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I like Patton Oswald's take:
http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/...xrs=share_copy

Youtube clip (audio only)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDCjIjsZp_Y

..and with better 3D!!!! I can't wait to pay for that, cause God only knows I didn't learn my lesson last night.

I saw the first screening of TPM in college town in May 1999. There was some applause when the words "Episode I" crawled up the screen, but then the place was utterly silent until Obi-Wan cut Maul in half. Still one of the best experiences I ever had at a movie theater. I can't imagine watching it with this new generation of young 'uns. (Shakes fist, yells at kids to stay off my lawn)

The '99 midnight crowd I remembered cheered in the following spots:

- Fox /Lucasfilm Logo
- Star Wars Title
- Obiwan freeing the Naboo pilots
- Anakin service ramp scene where he lands ahead of Sebulba
- "We'll handle this"/Darth Maul duel opening
- Death of Maul
- Destruction of the Droid Control Ship
- Ending

Better numbers than I expected... Did better than Beauty and the Beast 3D? not sure if Lion King 3D made more.

Another question: what was the budget to put TPM in 3D? One thing I hope we'll get from this is a better release (more extras) of the blu-rays for each movie.