The first time I heard the words “Star Wars in Concert,” I imagined a live-action musical and was both offended and insulted. However, Star Wars in Concert is a live orchestra performing John Williams’s iconic score alongside a screening of the film. This summer, the Los Angeles Philharmonic performed the music from A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.
Temple of Geek went to a screening of A New Hope. Rewatching A New Hope always reminds me that the Star Wars sextet is, in some ways, a romance (bromance?) between R2-D2 and C-3PO. They’re the first characters we meet, they are instrumental to the plot throughout, and their comic banter is second to none. We all know that it is the first movie and not the fourth. (There are subreddits for this where you can argue with me about this—pro-tip: don’t). Therefore it is also the origin story; where we meet and see the initial development of the characters we have grown to love. But most people underestimate A New Hope. Never once, in all my years of Star Wars-inspired arguing, have I heard a convincing plea for why it is the best movie.
Seeing it on the big screen—and not just a theatre big screen, the bowl’s big screen—reimpresses the brilliance and beauty of the film. Tatooine’s two suns foregrounding the Hollywood Sign is awe-inspiring, not to mention the bowl’s unrivaled acoustics.
The live orchestra serves as a reminder that music is absolutely essential to every aspect of the film. Showing true prowess, Conductor David Newman read the score in conjunction with a screen showing him the film. Moving measure bars overlaid the screen, cueing Newman to maintain flawless synchronicity. (Could you imagine the Imperial March starting late?)
An additional bonus of watching A New Hope with 17,000 other Star Wars lovers is the community it creates. There’s a universal groan when the new CG appears and a flurry of cheers at Han Solo’s entrance. In the hot, August Los Angeles night, storm trooper blasters illuminate the band shell and moths dive into the floodlights like X-Wings. Under the stars, a sea of light sabers pulses and waves, celebrating one more victory for the rebellion.
If you missed Star Wars in Concert, John Williams will conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a celebration of the fortieth anniversary of his Hollywood Bowl debut on Friday, August 31. For more information about that concert, and other shows at the bowl (another pro-tip: for internal events, you can bring your own snacks and drinks, adult beverages included), visit www.hollywoodbowl.com.
