A Reel Review: STAR WARS - A NEW HOPE In Concert

 

Earlier this year, this Blogger and his girlfriend were pleased to attend JAWS live in concert; performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann Center in Philly. It was fantastic experience (review HERE), as the orchestra played John Williams’ iconic score while the film was projected on the big screen. We were so impressed, that we just had to attend their next performance; the cultural milestone of STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE.

Originally released in 1977, STAR WARS has had a monumental impact on culture and the film industry, and the grand, mythic score by John Williams had a lot to do with that. The wonderful outdoor venue of the Mann Center provided a great backdrop and atmosphere for this performance, and we, along with thousands of fans, were more than ready to soak it all in with the enthusiasm and joy that most of us felt over 40 years ago.

A lot has been written and said about the state of STAR WARS fandom in the past year; as toxic and negative fans have misbehaved to the point of ugliness…but not on this night. The atmosphere here was electric. Fans from all ages were there, showing the multi-generational reach that STAR WARS still has. People arrived in costume, posed for photos, and it all made for a true, communal event. This was the heart of genuine STAR WARS fandom, and a sign that the franchise is a long way from dying. From the seating areas to the lawn, this was a packed house with happy fans.

 

After a quick intro, the orchestra (conducted by Constantine Kitsopoulos) launched into the familiar drum-roll which preceded the traditional 20^th Century Fox fanfare. This of course, was followed by the grand blast and thrilling opening sequence…which still brings the chills. For this Blogger, it is always a treat to see STAR WARS on the big screen, and that magnificent opening crawl and space battle was more than enough to bring some tears of joy.

 

The orchestra sounded fantastic, and the mix of music and dialogue/sound effects was perfect. After seeing the film so many times over the years, fans are certainly familiar with the film, and know exactly when music should start and end, and when the best cues should hit. This Blogger is proud to report that the orchestra was perfect every time. While the mix was perfect, there were some areas where the music was a bit louder than when viewing the film at home; revealing some wonderful hidden gems within the score that are usually lost underneath the sound effects. The picture quality in the early going was a bit dim because of the daylight (blast you, daylight savings), but by mid-film it looked great once the sun dipped below the horizon.

As stated, this was a wonderful event that was designed for everyone in attendance to share. Fans applauded, cheered, and laughed together as if we were all seeing it for the first time. When favorites such as Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Princess Leia made their first appearances, there was applause and a lot of love. And the iconic scene with Luke Skywalker and the twin suns…nothing short of magnificent.

After the Death Star assault and magnificent Throne Room finale, everyone stayed through the credits to take in the final notes of the score, and to give the Philadelphia Orchestra a mighty standing ovation. STAR WARS provided a lot of joy and thrills on this night, just as it did in 1977. This was a night to be long remembered.

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Next year, the Philadelphia Orchestra will continue their series with THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.