By Staff
STAR WARS FEVER – Will Anderson, 14, left, and Dan Anderson, 13, look over "Star Wars" toys at Bonita Lakes Mall on Wednesday. The brothers plan to wait for the weekend to see the latest "Star Wars" film. Photo by Carisa McCain / The Meridian Star
By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
May 16, 2002
Drew Phillips pleaded with his mom while thumbing through "Star Wars" books Wednesday, asking to skip school today so he could catch latest installment in the science fiction series.
Phillips, 11, is a fifth-grader at West Lauderdale Elementary School and a "Star Wars" fan. "Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones" opens at noon today at United Artists Bonita Lakes Cinema.
Phillips is one of hundreds of fans eagerly waiting the latest chapter in one of the most successful motion picture series ever produced one that began when the first film was released in summer 1977.
The Bonita Lakes Cinema already has sold hundreds of advance tickets to "Attack of the Clones" during the last two weeks.
Monte Royal, managing owner of theater, said he will show the the film in two separate auditoriums to accommodate an expected large crowd.
Royal said he and another theater employee already have seen the film. And, he said, he was impressed with the new technology showcased in the movie.
Director George Lucas ditched 35 mm film and shot the movie digitally. While some theaters across the country will use new digital projectors to show the movie, Bonita Lakes will use traditional film.
Royal, though, said moviegoers will experience top-notch state-of-the-art sound. One auditorium will show the film in Digital Theater Systems stereo, the other will show it in Sony Dynamic Digital Sound stereo.
Meanwhile, area book stores, toy stores and
memorabilia shops around Meridian have been stocked with "Star Wars" products for the past few months.
The Phillips spent much of Wednesday afternoon shopping in Bonita Lakes Mall and Books-A-Million to see if they had missed any "Star Wars" products.
Drew agreed.