...That Other Movie

I'm sitting outside the Cinemark Legacy theatre in Plano, wearing a suede jacket because I'm getting tired of the chill wind. There's an axiom that Mark Twain coined about New York, that's equally applicable in Texas. If you don't like the weather, wait two days. It'll change. (Except in the summer -- then, wait four months.)

I know there's a lot of questions in the fanboy community about which will be the better draw -- 'Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones,' or 'Spider Man.' The argument didn't really interest me that much. Although I understand Spidey's appeal, and I'm a huge fan of director Sam Raimi, and I've really been impressed with the things I've seen so far... who cares? This is flippin' Star Wars we're talking about here. The series that created a whole generation of fanboys.

In 1999, I went to Fort Worth to stand in line to make sure I got tickets to the midnight screening of 'The Phantom Menace.' I was first in line to see 'Return of the Jedi' at the NorthPark theatre in 1983, and I knew I had to be there for the first showing of 'Menace' as well. It's the latent geek in me. Pops out every now and then and screams at you.

There was some debate whether or not I would be able to go to the first showing of 'Clones' or not. After all, I'm not even close to a worthy theatre. The Legacy is an hour's drive from my new apartment, and money's especially tight this month.

Sure, that's what my left brain was telling me. Then, my right brain saw the trailers. And the commercials. And the other people lined up to see the film. Bear in mind that the Legacy is one of 19 theatres in the country that has digital projection. It's important because George Lucas shot 'Clones' in digital, and it's the way The George' wants us to see his creation. How could I not be here?

To my credit, I didn't shell out the $300 it would have taken to go to the charity screening. I was able to exercise that much control.

So, the night of May 2 rolls around. Two weeks prior to the premiere. AMC Theatres has had notices on their site that they're selling tickets the next day. Does Cinemark? No. I refuse to take the chance. So, when I can't keep the voices in my head silent anymore, I grab my laptop and head on out. I figure, even if they don't start selling tickets, I can catch an early screening of 'Spider Man.'

I get to the theatre around 3:30 am, and I don't see anyone in front. Or on the sides. Either the weather, which feels like London on any Spring day, has kept people away, the promise of quick instant gratification has kept people at home, the lack of Cinemark information has quelled interest... or I'm just an idiot.

There is one group of high school kids sitting in front of the theatre, so I figure they're getting ready to do the same thing I was doing when I was their age. I was partly right.

"Greetings, gentlemen," I say to the quartet.

They greet me, asking, "You're here for the same thing, right?"

I nod and sit down, grumbling about the lack of ticket information available.

The lads look confused for a second. "We bought them yesterday. On Fandango."

"Wait a second. You're here, even though you bought tickets yesterday?"

"Yep, and the thing sold out right after we bought them."

I'm totally befuddled now. "You mean the midnight screening on the 16th is already sold out?"

Awkward pause. "No, dude, today's first showing. For 'Spider Man.'"

My light bulb slowly comes on. "Ohhhhh... I thought you were talking about 'Clones.'"

Blank stare.

"'Attack of the Clones.' 'Star Wars.' You know, that other movie."

Their light bulbs come on. "Ohhhhh."

These guys, though clearly fanboys, were just about clueless when it came to the goings-on in Star Wars Land. Didn't know about Star Wars Celebration II going on in Indianapolis. Didn't know that Legacy was digital, or that 'Clones was shot in digital, making Legacy one of the best places in America to see the movie. They were interested, mildly, but they just didn't seem to care.

It then dawns on me that the whole Star Wars base might be generational after all. The first time these guys probably saw a new Star Wars movie in theatres was 'Phantom Menace.' Like the rest of us, they probably found the movie lacking in a lot of areas. However, unlike people who grew up with the troika of Luke, Leia & Han, this generation took one look at Jar Jar Binks and the farting pack animals and gave it a hearty "Whatever, pal."

Where my generation of fans was willing to give Lucas a second chance after teasing us in 1999, these kids weren't convinced that this was the real deal. They're likely tired of hearing us go on and on about how we peed our pants when the first Star Destroyer came rumbling over our heads in 1977. Films like 'The Matrix,' 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' and 'Spider Man' are gaining a foothold in their hearts, and it'll be a tough task to get that ground back.

'Clones' might do it, from all accounts. The spoiler boards are a-buzz with tales of how this movie rivals 'The Empire Strikes Back' in quality, tone, and writing. The four Spidey fans will give it a shot. But they will already have seen 'Spider Man' swing through the streets of New York for two weeks by the time 'Clones' hits the theatres. Will they care by then?

Part of me hopes so, because they deserve a good Star Wars movie in their pantheon of fandom. We got lucky, in our youth. There wasn't a lot of other films that came close to 'Star Wars' in terms of impact. This summer, the moviegoing public has a lot of movies to choose from -- 'Men In Black II,' 'Minority Report,' and the two May powerhouses, and that's just in sci-fi alone.

As for me, I'm going to head back to the car. It's starting to rain, and I need to keep dry and warm. 20 years ago, I wouldn't have cared. I guess I've changed as well.