The Hype is Real
There are many ways that hype is built for a movie, and if enough hype is generated sometimes it may even be a blockbuster, or hailed as the greatest movie of all time if it is backed with the right quality.
Some flock to a theater simply because it was born from the mind of an established genius.
Robert Zemeckis happily took his seat amidst the crowded theater reserved for Lucasfilms employees, his body shaking with excitement at what was to come. As a metaphorical infant in the world of filmmaking, there were two men who he idolized greatly as Titans of cinema, revolutionaries who would set the Foundation for the future. Those two were Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. The former was his mentor, and the latter was his boss and the creator of a movie which if his new friends in editing were to be believed, was the greatest movie ever.
Robert fell in love with THX and used it as inspiration for his student film and he felt validation in his career path when he watched American Graffiti. George Lucas just had an amazing way of getting intimate and sharing the human experience while being the architect of a grand and expansive story which covered so many angles and wove itself together in a beautiful tapestry.
Robert's film journey was just getting started, and he had the two greatest filmmakers in history as his teachers.
Some people want to see the famous stars that shine brightly in Hollywood.
Alison Ashmore was sketching quietly in her room when her best friend and roommate Veronica Jefferson burst into the room without warning as she usually did.
"Let's go see a Midnight movie." Veronica cheerfully announced.
Alison gave her a slow and confused look, "Midnight? Why can't we just go in the morning or afternoon. You're just going to sleep the day away and it'll mess with your schedule."
"Because it's the release for Star Wars and it's Bruce and Carrie's first movie together." Veronica happily gushed, with Alison groaning and finding even more reasons not to go.
After her embarrassing run-in with her "Ex" (If you could call one failed date an ex), Alison found Bruce O'Brian managing to keep on popping in her life as an annoyance even though Alison was more than happy to move on. There was his and Carrie Fisher's dream wedding which despite being private was hyped up by the media as an American royal wedding. All that drama surrounding Lucasfilms which had her film friends hooked. Bruce's continued critical acclaim on MASH, his Gold Medal and now Star Wars. Heck, Lucasfilms had sent recruiters for her department for their costumes team and while Alison did not want to work in the same building as Bruce, the benefits and pay were pretty damn good and offered a better fasttrack than most New York jobs.
Bruce's continued accomplishments almost seemed like the Universe was rubbing in Alison's face that she made the wrong choice. Most ironic of all, when she shared the information with her parents, they asked in concern why she wouldn't date a nice young man like Bruce, to which Alison literally screamed and ranted on how they sabotaged their date like a good number of her relationships with their helicopter paranoia.
Then there was Veronica who in spite of being denied the opportunity to be Mrs. O'Brian, seemed to have only increased her devotion to Bruce, which now shared her enthusiasm for Carrie O'Brian with Veronica being a major supporter of their marriage like millions of fangirls.
"Yeah...I think I'll see it in a few days." Alison deadpanned.
"More like a few months." Veronica argued. "All the critics have been going absolutely insane and Harry's bosses at Disney are freaking out cause they think Star Wars is going to make a billion and flood the streets with watchers. Come on, it's a Bruce and Carrie movie, the two greatest actors and dream spouses starring together. It's an historic event!" Veronica happily chimed.
Alison sighed, "Are you going to go no matter what?"
"Yeah." Veronica said in a chipper mood.
Now Alison new she was legally obligated to go as she didn't want her best friend wandering the LA streets at night to be preyed upon by creeps, and if the movie was as hyped as Veronica was claiming, she didn't want to be left out of the loop when her social circle kept on raving about it, like literally every other thing involving Bruce O'Brian which she tried to ignore. "Fine, but you're paying for everything."
"Thanks!"
Others fall in love with new heroes who take center stage.
"Can you tell us a little about what the story is about in Star Wars?" A blonde British woman asked Mark Hamill, appearing in an interview on the children's show "Blue Peter" as the inauguration of his European press tour.
"Well it can be a bit difficult to describe without spoiling, but put in simplest terms it's the stuff that fairy tales are made of. We have a fairy princess, we have an innocent farmboy who yearns for adventure, Toshiro Mifune is a wise old wizard who teaches me a mystical Force somewhat like Merlin would teach a young King Arthur. Bruce O'Brian plays Han Solo, a cynical space pirate that we hire to transport us to the galaxy and through the journey he becomes a greater man. Basically I'm a farmboy who sets out on a hero's journey and takes part in a tale as old as history and at the same time new and of the future." Mark tried to describe as best as he could.
Since the end of the summer he had been drafted by Mike Eisner to take part in a grand marketing campaign by Lucasfilms that expanded all over the globe. Mark had spent several weeks giving newspaper interviews and appearing on talk shows, and now he was traveling across Europe as the poster boy for George Lucas' next film and magnum opus.
At first Mark had been fearful that despite being the protagonist of Star Wars he would end up as a prop in the film used to uplift Bruce to even further heights. Fortunately, such a case never became true as George placed great importance on Mark in the film as its central hero and Bruce had been very humble in letting Mark have center stage and reminded him often that he was the hero who would be the heart of the film. Lucasfilms' marketing made sure that Mark was portrayed in such a crucial role in marketing, dominating posters with Carrie, always getting first billing, and lots of praise from his castmates with Bruce even commenting that he regarded Mark as having the best performance of the movie, something he couldn't possibly believe.
Such a new rise to startdom was propelled even further with a recent shift in the campaign where Bruce and Carrie were taking a hiatus due to personal issues and now Mark was solely holding the spotlight save for Japan which was dominated by Toshiro Mifune. It was nice to be appreciated and relied upon for a film, and Bruce seemed to continue to find something special in Mark by asking him to act in his and Carrie's debut co-creation with promises of an open door for future parts at Lucasfilms.
"What was it like acting alongside Bruce and Carrie O'Brian?"
"Oh they are absolutely wonderful. Brilliantly talented on-set and offset they are the definition of an adorable romance. Seeing the two of them interact with one another is like watching a classic Hollywood love story come to life, and most recently I got to co-star in an actual romance film created by both called Five Dates, and let me tell you the world is going to be blessed to watch their chemistry."
Hopefully Mark could use all he observed of the two to build something great with his budding romance with a beautiful dentist.
Of course celebrity endorsements never hurt.
The crowd Nashville crowd roared in acclaim and ecstasy as Elvis Presley gave them a wild and fun performance of Suspicious Minds. For the past three years, Elvis had returned back to his throne and was now close to his prime, although some fans said Elvis was perhaps even better now and aged like fine wine. After taking months of a much needed hiatus, Elvis returned rested and reborn, surprisingly finding packed stadiums and adoring fans everywhere he went, especially around the world as he finally was able to go on world tours and spread his gospel of rock to people across the globe.
"Now before we finish off for the night I just have one little request of you folks. There's this exciting new film that you may have heard called Star Wars." Elvis said, with a good portion of the crowd cheering. "Now the last film that was made by their Director and Star did wonders and helped save my life. And I have it on good word from one Carrie O'Brian." Elvis announced and waited for another round of cheers, "That it's going to be even better, making the impossible possible. Would y'all mind lending a hand and seeing it by Christmas?" Elvis kindly requested with lots of the audience roaring agreements.
Elvis knew that a lot of his peers and the newcomers may look down upon him for such an action as a sellout, but Elvis felt it was the least he could do to repay the guys who showed him the light and prevented him from diving into the abyss. Sure he gave roaring endorsements to American Graffiti, but with what felt like years of his life restored and a deeper bond with Lisa Marie, Elvis felt that the debt could never be repaid and he had to do everything he could to give gentle pushes to help them to success.
And who knows, maybe this movie would provide inspiration for his next album like Graffiti did his latest.
"Alright, now let's finish off the night strong. ~Lord Almighty. Feel my temperature rising~"
You could be a dear friend to the filmmaker.
"Mr. Spielberg what are your thoughts on the new Star Wars movie?"
Steven Spielberg couldn't help but chuckle at the reporter's question. He was being interviewed on the production of Close Encounters, and yet the very first question he was asked was about Star Wars, meaning he was now owed five dollars from his girlfriend. Other people might have taken offense, but having been shared intimate details of the film in every step by his best friend George, Steve knew that the curiosity was more than justified.
"Well, people often like to compare George and I's work, which in my opinion is more than unfair as we both have our strengths and weaknesses and while sharing similarities we tend to have very distinctive styles of filmmaking. When it comes to Star Wars though, I think George really excelled in something that he's far superior to me in, worldbuilding and original storytelling. George has come up with a modern masterpiece and instant classic that has surpassed everything I've done before and I'm doing my best to take notes for Close Encounters' post-production. George has created a wonderful world and brought fantasy to life in ways never thought possible. I think he may have made the best movie."
"Do you think you can surpass Star Wars?"
"If I do that then I might just retire for nothing else I'd make could compare."
Family of the cast
"I'm telling you guys, Star Wars is going to make American Graffiti look like garbage." Proudly boasted one Joseph O'Brian who was in a lively discussion with several regulars of the Jumping Whale as he tended to the bar.
Since Bruce started becoming a regular star, Joseph had taken to acting as free advertising for his youngest and whenever he could, hyped up Bruce's latest project so that people would either flip their TVs to tune in or buy a ticket. While in the grand scheme of things it didn't mean a grand impact, Joseph guessed that he probably pushed several dozen or a small couple of hundred each time. And then those people would tell their friends, who would watch it and tell their friends and so on.
The plan had been seeing increased success in recent entries thanks to the explosion of commercial success for the Whale thanks to its newfound fame as the childhood home of Bruce O'Brian, Gold Medal Olympian, the most badass New Yorker around who took on 20 men in a barfight and came out without a scratch. In fact, a lot of casual customers inched their seats closer to overhear the good word.
"You're blowing smoke Joe, you said the same thing about Graffiti being better than MASH, you'll just say that about every new thing Bruce does." One of the regulars countered with a fair amount of nods.
Joseph smiled at the man, "But this time I really mean. Bruce told me himself that it's going to be the greatest movie in history with no close peers and I got a sneak peek myself when I was acting in his and Carrie's movie." It wasn't a preview of the entire movie as it was still heavily edited so Joseph just got a preview reel of some desert scenes, but that alone looked to him like cinema that never seemed possible.
"Plus you got the two greatest actors on the planet, my son and daughter-in-law starring. You need another reason to watch?" Joseph asked, receiving a round of cheers in return.
Did you fall in love with a trailer?
In the center of a theater which was packed to see Lone Wolf and Cub, one young truck driver named James Cameron sat in pure awe, mouth agape at the wonder and magic that he had just witnessed from what looked to be the final trailer of Star Wars. A sentiment shared with almost all of the audience present.
When James had first heard word of Star Wars existence, he had already been looking forward to it as American Graffiti was his favorite film. Having just graduated high school and his freshman year of community college being a hazy and confusing mess, Graffiti deeply spoke to him in a way he never felt with any other film and whenever he went through hard times since then, he looked to the film as inspiration.
Over the past two years, James had taken up a new hobby of researching and studying special effects. American Graffiti opened up his world to the wonders of cinema and he spent a good chunk of his free salary going to the theaters every weekend to catch anything and everything that played in theaters. One trip to the library and a book on the history of special effects later, and he fell in love with the world that was neglected by Hollywood and became hooked on any and all news of George Lucas' supposed revolution at ILM.
Now with the latest trailer all of the magic was finally revealed, or at least a sliver of it to the general public. Whereas the previous trailers focused on the actors and story, here the special effects took center stage which looked like it was literal decades from the future. Awesome dogfights of spaceships over a metal world. The beautiful majesty of some realm called hyperspace. Two wizards dueling with laser swords, mystical powers that not even the best magicians could replicate. Aliens that felt more real and intimate than the creatures of the 50s. It was like watching a documentary for a whole new galaxy, the kind of future that Walt Disney promised and failed to deliver.
James was close to jumping off the edge and following his newfound passion for movies. For now he postponed the decision until he saw Star Wars. If it was as truly magical and revolutionary as the trailer suggested, then James would take that leap.
Or was it a first sight meeting with a poster?
While dozens of people walked by to head into the theater, Quentin Tarantino couldn't help but loiter outside and stare in awe of the sheer work of art that was the latest Star Wars poster. It was like looking at a painting itself at an artistic picture of a space knight shining his sword to the infinite sky, flocked by a beautiful princess, some robots, all as a menacing and evil dark wizard preyed in the background with starships being deployed by a intimidating moon.
Quentin couldn't help but get a pretty damn good feeling about this one. It was the same kind of feeling he had before watching his favorite film Lady Snowblood, distributed by the same studio of Lucasfilms. Quentin was very thankful for the existence of the studio of rebels, with them being the only ones to respect the art of Japanese film and bring over masterpieces like Lone Wolf and Cub that Quentine would otherwise be ignorant about. Lucasfilms also seemed to be very brilliant with originals, creating an outstanding debut with Rocky, following up with the horrific beauty of Carrie and distributing two instant classics in Josey Wales and Taxi Driver.
Quentin couldn't help that movies were being changed for the better thanks to the House of Lucas, and maybe someday he could contribute to the pantheon.
Critics are usually a reliable source of intelligence.
"Now I know we usually don't do this but Roger and I would like to break the suspense and just say it out loud so you get the message clearly and if you have to leave then take this firmly. We both give Star Wars two thumbs up, if not four thumbs up, heck ten fingers. Point being, this is a film that goes beyond simple meters and is a must see for all people of all ages."
"This is the greatest movie that we've ever seen, and it'll be generations before we see a successor with only a miracle worthy of overthrowing it until then. Star Wars is a once in a lifetime experience that makes you happy that you live within this current times, sad for all we have lost who won't get to see it themselves, and grateful that future generations may witness it. It's changed everything we've known about cinema, and all movies going forward shall look to this in a similar way that cinema was born from Birth of the Nation, if not more."
But if you believe them to be stuffy buffoons you may be more inclined for the voice of the general public.
"What in God's name is this?" Asked recent college graduate and upcoming standup comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Jerry and his newfound friend Larry David had been on their way to their favorite pizza shop in Brooklyn when they passed by their usual go-to movie theater. What they were shocked to find was the sheer size of the line. Both comedians experienced block-wrapping lines before with Some Nights, Rocky and Jaws. But this far surpassed all three of those giants. The line went on for well near a mile, in some cases snaking around streets and blocks with construction and active pedestrians.
"It's like watching the Muslims go to Mecca, yet I don't think they're even as passionate as this." Larry commented.
"I know, it's like half of Brooklyn just took a break and are lining up for the movies." Jerry said.
"I bet you if anything we can go to the mall, hardly anyone will be there even with Christmas and Hanukah coming." Larry suggested.
"This might also be the safest day in New York's history. Everyone's too busy going to the movies to commit any crimes." Jerry joked which arose a chuckle from Larry. Jerry then went to one of the people standing in line, "Excuse me, what movie is this whole line about?"
"Oh we're gonna see Star Wars."
"Don't you want to see any other movies?" Larry asked.
"Oh no, everyone's in line for Star Wars, that's all the theater's been showing since opening weekend anyways."
Then, two teenagers walked by. "HOLY SHIT! That movie was insane! How the hell was any of that possible? Man when Obi-wan and Darth Vader-"
"HEY KID, SHUT THE FUCK UP!!! DON'T SPOIL THE GODDAMNED MOVIE!" Yelled the man Jerry was talking to in a harsh and angry Brooklyn rage, a couple dozen people in the line joining in with equal fervor which caused the teens to run off for fear of being lynched.
Both Jerry and Larry watched in stunned silence at the sight, nothing for the previous blockbusters having this close of an intensity.
"You know, I think we should get in line." Jerry suggested.
"Are you crazy? In this weather, this long?" Larry questioned.
"Look at what's happening here my friend. We are in the middle of an important historical and cultural event. There's a movie people are worshipping like it's the Ark of the Covenant and the critics keep on hyping it up as the greatest movie ever made. This is the kind of stuff we tell our kids about. We go home and do nothing then people will ask us, 'Where will you when Star Wars came out?' And if you didn't stand in line you look like a total wuss. Plus my Comedian senses are telling me we're sitting on a gold mine of material."
Larry sighed, "Alright, but pizza first."
A week later Jerry came up with enough brilliance to form half of his act.
"So what's the deal with Star Wars?"
Or you happen to know someone who already saw it.
In one corner of the Atari Christmas party, a Gavin O'Brian did his best to melt into the wall to avoid discussions with his coworkers. As introverted as the Irish programmer was, he had been looking forward to the party and having one final hurrah with the company before he went on vacation with Susan at her parent's place. Unfortunately for Gavin, everytime he tried to talk to someone the topic inevitably came to Star Wars and either people were anxious to see it or already saw it and proclaimed it was the greatest movie ever.
Gavin had been rather indifferent but he knew from conversations with his parents that it was truly a magnificent film. From that alone and Bruce's constant push he intended to see it with Susan on New Year's Eve. That only left one tiny problem. How did he, the brother of Bruce O'Brian, explain how he didn't see Star Wars yet without looking like a jackass?
Last of all, if none of those move you, there is always the motive of whim.
"Hey you wanna go to the movies or something?"
"Sure. Let's go see Star Wars."
"You hear anything good?"
"Nah, just sounds cool."
