by Joshua Griffin.

(Report contains many spoilers)

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about.

McCallum has been sold out on every Star Wars movie so far. Every time he's said the movie would be "the one" and "amazing" but this time I really do believe him. Why? Because he brought some serious footage to back him up.

As you can imagine, the crowd was THRILLED by what they saw, and demanded Rick show it again. It will replay all weekend, knowing this is the real star of the Celebration. The DLP projector gave us an ultra clear picture and THX sound rocked the house. Makes me glad my opening night tickets are at the digital theater in town. Only if everyone were so lucky.

Here's a rundown of what I remember from the new footage. It went by so fast, I'll try to catch it again later this afternoon and record an exact shot by shot.

"This is where the fun begins," Anakin says.

A ship exploding, and battledroids getting suck into space with piles of debris. One battle droid is flailing its arms and legs as it flys out.

Anakin carrys Obi-Wan out toward an elevator.

Mace reflecting lightening back on a hurting Palpatine. Several shots of the exterior of the opera are shown, you can glimpse George Lucas' character just to the left of the main door.


Yoda and clonetroopers high above the trees in a command bunker, scouting for enemies. A scout trooper scans in the background with binoculars. The ash planet is hauntingly peaceful. Ki Adi Mundi fights and dutifully defending hinself until he is finally overwhelmed with Clones. Lumanari is shown in what appears to be discussion action with clones as she prepares for battle.

Yoda catching a Senate pod at the last minute, then tossing it back at Sidious. Yoda takes lightening and gets tossed against a wall hardcore. The crowd was shocked! Yoda hits the ground hardand lays there for a moment.

Padme arriving on Mustafar. An extended closeup of the ship landing, including the landing gear deploying. Obi-Wan stands at the top of the ramp to the ship. An amazing shot of Padme and C3PO greeting Anakin as his starfigthter arrives on her veranda. The view is amazing.

Obi-Wan with a projection of a planet from his starfighter. Clones in the background repair the ship and a group gather around Obi-Wan watching the planet with great interest. Great shots of Grievous on the wheel bike, with Obi-Wan fighting with him. One amazing shot had Obi-Wan and Grievous both holding on to a pike as they drove around Utapau.

Lots and lots of duel scenes. Almost too much. Nah, that isn't possible. Anakin closing each door on the Mustafar conference room.

He uses the Force and each luminary gives a surprised look. Then Anakin turns on the gathered leaders and proceeds to kill every one. The Emperor arrives on Mustafar and, with clonetroopers at his side, reacts to what he sees. We cut to Palpatine's ship landing high above Corusant in the pouring rain. Yoda's face is sad.

Polis Massa is shown quickly, and the funeral scene on Naboo is haunting.

A HUGE procession in the twilight moves slowly over a huge bridge out to an island. Everyone holds candles, and the Queen of Naboo is shown in the pale blue light of the night. The Tantive IV flys over snow-capped mountains of Alderaan and touches down near white buildings.

Other tidbits McCallum revealed: Rick and George finished the movie the day before yesterday. They screened it and it is complete! Steven

Spielberg also saw the movie this week and gave his seal of approval.

Press screenings begin in early May - just before the charity screenings on May 12th.

It's hard to say if everyone is excited about Star Wars as a whole, or about this particular movie. Either way, judging from the reaction to this session, I would say Episode III is going to be a welcomed member of the Star Wars family.