I didn’t plan on seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens on opening day, let alone write a review about it afterwards, so this is a bit off topic. I couldn’t find a critical review searching Google, so I wonder if I maybe saw an alternate cut of the film (some hailing it as the best or near best Star Wars film ever)? As readers of the Original Prop Blog know, I am a huge Star Wars fan, and seeing the original in 1977 at 4 years old was a life-changing event. Collectively, the first three films (Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi) are my favorite films of all-time. Didn’t care for much in the Prequels (loved the Maul lightsaber scenes the best). So how does the J.J. Abrams/Disney relaunch/update/merchandising empire measure up? It’s a mixed bag, honestly, and as the hours passed from seeing it unfold on screen (about 12 hours ago), it’s the negatives that stick with me most, though I mostly enjoyed it while it was happening, if that makes sense. I can’t say it’s a complete disappointment, since I went into it with low expectations; there are some excellent elements within the work (I’m also an Abrams fan). But overall, there are some serious flaws that leave me feeling a bit down on it, because they transcend this film and the characters work against the characters I have grown up to know and love to make them worse. I kept waiting for that rush of adrenaline to run down my spine, but it never came. Out of context from the original films, it’s a well-made, entertaining film. But context is everything. Search “disappoint” and #starwarstheforceawakens on Twitter, and “does not” or “doesn’t” always precedes “disappoint”, so maybe it is just me, or maybe people just went in willing it to be what they wanted. [Read more…]
San Diego Comic-Con 2015: Prop Store Exhibit of TV and Movie Props, Costumes, Models, Memorabilia (#SDCC)
This is part of my ongoing coverage of San Diego Comic-Con 2015. Prop Store has an excellent exhibition this year, featuring a preview of material from their second annual live auction coming to London later this year. Heavy on action and sci-fi, it drew a constant crowd of Comic Con attendees, many of which are fans of these genre films. As with Star Wars Celebration earlier this year, Prop Store continue to find new and exciting Star Wars material, such as the stormtrooper helmet – the first time being offered to the public. [Read more…]
Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2015: Photos of Movie Props, Costumes, and Models from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
In terms of excitement generated from Star Wars Celebration 2015 in Anaheim, I would say the second development right behind the JJ Abrams/Kathleen Kennedy panel the opening morning and release of the new trailer for The Force Awakens is the exhibition of props, costumes, and models from the all-new film installment to the franchise. On the upper floor of the Anaheim Convention Center is space dedication to the display of artifacts from the upcoming Episode VII, due in December 2015. This feature includes about 130 quality photos from this exhibit. [Read more…]
Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2015: Exhibition Hall Photography
Following my pictorial preview of Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim for 2015 last night (Wednesday night, before officially starting), below are photos I took of the exhibit hall on the first full day (Thursday). Being my first Celebration, it was bigger than I expected, but still not a massive as San Diego Comic Con (and thankfully, many of the aisles are much wider as well). The calm before the storm was when the doors opened but the J.J. Abrams/Kathleen Kennedy panel was going. For those who elected not to sleep overnight within the convention center to attend in person, the jumbo monitors at the LEGO booth streamed it all in real time, to the astonishment of fans who were thrilled by the premiere airing of the new “teaser” trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. [Read more…]
Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2015: Prop Store Exhibitor Booth
Prop Store’s exhibitor booth (#1140) for Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim in 2015 is both familiar and different. While the size and scale is comparable to what I’ve seen at San Diego Comic Con over the past five years, obviously with Celebration it is going to be 100% Star Wars-related content. With this show, they brought out some of the important pieces from the Prop Store Collection (i.e. owned by the principals of the company and not for sale), including a Darth Vader helmet, Han Solo jacket, and a Princess Leia gown. [Read more…]
Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2015: “Star Wars Costumes: The Original Trilogy” Discussion Panel
My friends at Prop Store have a very big presence with Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim in 2015… in addition to their impressive exhibitor booth (#1140, replete with hero-class original production props, costumes, and artwork), Brandon Alinger (Chief Operating Officer) and Stephen Lane (Chief Executive Officer) are participating in several high profile discussion panels to the packed crowds at the Anaheim Convention Center. I took time today attend the Star Wars Costumes: The Original Trilogy panel, which consisted of Lucasfilm executive editor J.W. Rinzler, Brandon Alinger, and Delia Greve, senior editor at Becker Mayer. [Read more…]
Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2015 Preview: Photography from Wednesday Night
Star Wars Celebration officially kicks off tomorrow (running April 16th – 19th), but there is already a substantial massive line in the belly of the Anaheim Convention Center, filled with fans queued up for The Force Awakens panel featuring J.J. Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy. As I walked in to check it out, dozens of pizzas were being hand-delivered to fans (courtesy J.J. Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy), starting with those at the front of the massive crowd. It was announced today that 4-Day passes/badges have sold out, and when I picked up my media badge at around 5:00 this afternoon, they only had about 400 Saturday tickets left to sell at the door. Below are some photos I took while walking around the convention center. [Read more…]
Star Wars Celebration Preview: Original Movie Props, Costumes, & Artwork Discussion Panels and Events
Star Wars Celebration, the world’s only official Star Wars convention, is coming to Anaheim, California from April 16th to 19th. It is anticipated that 150,000 fans will be in attendance, which rivals San Diego Comic Con numbers. With much to see and do and a focus on the upcoming Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, there is still quite a bit to look forward to for those focused on original props and costumes. I’ve gone through the published scheduled and put together the highlights below, which might be of interest to readers of the Original Prop Blog who also are fans of Star Wars. [Read more…]