Starwoids

• Directed by Dennis Przywara
• January 2001 (US)

Starwoids tells the story of Star Wars fans (A.K.A. Starwoids) and their six weeks in line waiting to see Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace on opening day. It was a different world back then to see a movie the day it opened.

This is not only about the release of The Phantom Menace but the culture then surrounding Star Wars as well. Personally being a Star Wars fan for over four decades I never heard the term ‘starwoids’. That was a new one to me but that’s beside the point.

A story strictly about waiting in line could get a bit dull and director Dennis Przywara takes a look at their lives with some interesting discoveries Star Wars: The Musical. Yes, it’s real. At the time Star Wars was a unique subculture unto itself. It is undeniable as demonstrated by this documentary that they were passionate group.

Because of this look at various side aspects this becomes more about the culture and the passion of the fans at the time of the release of The Phantom Menace than it is about the media hype or anything like that. It touches on it but it’s more about the people that allowed it to occur. This is all about the fans. I love how they interview Phil Brown who played Uncle Owen. Took me a minute to recognize him. It’s a bit of a side quest when it comes to Starwoids but it’s a nice little side quest.

Starwoids may show the geekiest of the geeky, but it doesn’t mock them. It did not set out to point and laugh but rather embrace the passion of the community. This was a major moment for these people that generated excitement and passion. It connected them to each other in a way that formed friendships.

If there was any issue with this, I said they win too much into the weirdness of people waiting in line at the time. I’m not saying it’s not weird to spend 40 or so days waiting for tickets, but the filmmakers did little to expand upon the lives of anybody there. Phil Brown was not waiting in line nor was the priest who made some interesting comparisons between The Force and Christianity. Depth was not needed but a little something to expand beyond more than the countdown website or the squabbles that might occur while waiting. 

With online ordering and streaming now common Starwoids gives us a look back at something that will never come again because the need is no longer there-camping out to get tickets. Some films (like a Star Wars release) generated a level of excitement that would convince people to upend their lives to see it on opening day. Now you buy tickets on your phone and flash an email or code.

Starwoids shows how Star Wars passion bled into the personal life of people then and inspired individuals to wait for days on end in line for a ticket. Who does that anymore? If you’re a fan and can remember when the prequels came out then enjoy this little slice of a gone reality.