'STAR WARS' HAS SPACE AVAILABLE.Byline: Erik N. Nelson Staff Writer UNIVERSAL CITY - Perhaps the Force had been clouded by the Dark Side, or maybe it was final exams that kept ``Star Wars'' fanatics from flocking Thursday to the first digital showing of ``Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones'' at Universal CityWalk Universal CityWalk is a part of Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Japan originating from Universal's first park, Universal Studios Hollywood. . But short box-office lines and available tickets 10 minutes before show time were a blessing upon the faithful, some of whom took a day off from work to catch the fifth installment and second modern-day prequel pre·quel n. A literary, dramatic, or cinematic work whose narrative takes place before that of a preexisting work or a sequel. [pre- + (se)quel.] of filmmaker George Lucas' lightsaber saga. ``Lucas is a genius,'' effused Tim Robb, 22, of Northridge after emerging from the megaplex. ``There was way more action and so much more plot'' than the last installment, ``Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.'' Robb took a day off from his early morning job at Costco and convinced his girlfriend, Punky punk·y n. Variant of punkie. Noun 1. punky - minute two-winged insect that sucks the blood of mammals and birds and other insects biting midge, no-see-um, punkey, punkie Johnson, 22, of Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. , and pal Nathan Wood, 22, of Northridge, to see the movie on the theater's digital screen - CityWalk is only of only 51 theaters in the country featuring the high-tech visual displays. Other screens featured the movie projected from traditional film. Why take a day off and not wait until evening to see the film? ``Dude, it's 'Star Wars,''' Robb explained, needing no elaboration. Other theaters held their first ``Episode II'' showings at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, attracting throngs of ``Star Wars'' faithful anxious to view the latest installment of the story that debuted back in 1977. Fans queued up hours earlier for a chance at prime seats in theaters where online and advance ticket sales guaranteed sold-out shows. Opening day also gave audiences license to participate, as they did during the digital showing at CityWalk, cheering for ``make my day'' one-liners during combat scenes, hooting at star Natalie Portman's revealing costumes and hissing the slapstick slapstick Comedy characterized by broad humour, absurd situations, and vigorous, often violent action. It took its name from a paddlelike device, probably introduced by 16th-century commedia dell'arte troupes, that produced a resounding whack when one comic actor used it to alien character Jar Jar Binks Jar Jar Binks (born c. 50 BBY) is a fictional character from the Star Wars Prequels, , and . Named by George Lucas' son[1], his primary role was intended to provide comic relief — based on his gangly way of walking and his unique accent — but he ended up . Michelle Contabile, 28, of San Gabriel San Gabriel (săn gā`brēəl), city (1990 pop. 37,120), Los Angeles co., SW Calif.; inc. 1913. Fabric, furniture, paper products, tools, and aircraft parts are manufactured. was one of three generations of her family who came to see the movie, including her father-in-law, John Contabile, 58. Her son, Mike, 9 1/2, came in his Darth Vader Darth Vader fallen Jedi Knight has turned to evil. [Am. Cinema: Star Wars] See : Evil helmet and brandished a replica of Princess Leia's blaster, while her daughter, Lindsey, 6 1/2, thrusted and parried with a telescoping plastic lightsaber. ``We're home-schooled,'' Mike said, explaining why he was one of the few school-age children at the show. His mom also felt compelled to offer some explanation: ``This is animation and digital photography and film history and acting. They love acting,'' she said as Mike and Lindsey swiped at each other with their weapons. For some, showing up on the first morning was not optional. ``We never do this with any other movie,'' said Paul Lyons, 31, of North Hollywood, who came with his friend, Salette Corpuz, 34. ``We want to know the rest of the story.'' ``We love watching Natalie Portman Natalie Portman (Hebrew: נטלי פורטמן; born June 9, 1981) is a Golden Globe-winning, Academy Award-nominated Israeli-American actress. ,'' said Corpuz, referring to the Long Islander who was plucked from high school to star in ``Phantom Menace.'' Added Lyons: ``We like the whole, western-in-space thing. It's, like, good vs. evil.'' ``It's the galactic ga·lac·tic adj. 1. Relating to milk. 2. Promoting the flow of milk. galactic 1. pertaining to milk. 2. galactagogue. version of cowboys and Indians,'' Corpus offered. Not everyone who came to the movies at CityWalk on Day One of ``Episode II'' came to see 'droids, clones and Jedi Knights. ``I'm here to see 'Beauty and the Beast,''' said Monica Paul, 37, of Woodland Hills, who brought her 8-year-old, Courtney, to experience the wonder of animation on the big screen. ``I never saw the first 'Star Wars' until 20 years later, when my husband got the video,'' Paul said. ``I think it's kind of silly that people have waited in line for six weeks without showering to buy tickets,'' she added. ``It's just another movie - and it'll be out on video.'' |
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