Review of "Anticipation: The Real Life Story of Star Wars"

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace was probably the most hyped film in  history.  It was met with a lukewarm reaction by many, but yet it's one of Hollywood's greatest success stories.  Many Star Wars fans were disappointed - others loved it.  Despite the backlash that has grown since its release, the general public saw it in droves.  Jonathan L. Bowen examines every aspect of the phenomenon in his new book.  It's a tremendously indepth account of the 1999 film and its aftermath.Bowen starts back in the early 90's when Star Wars was in the relative desert.  A series of books by Timothy Zahn, based on the original characters, became so massively successful they began a decade long march towards the prequel series.  We are shown casting rumors, fights over merchandising, the Special Edition releases, and the filming process of  The Phantom Menace.All of this is simply backstory for when the book really hits its stride.  The chapters on the honest to God aniticipation are terrific.  Bowen vividly brings back the hoopla which greeted the release of the trailers.  Then the media hype became more and more intense with the toy releases, and the lines starting for the first  midnight showings.  We meet the principles in several of the massive lineups, and their different strategies.I must say the chapters detailing the box office run were my favorites.  Weekend by weekend we are shown how the first Star Wars movie in 16 years obliterated records, before ending its run as the third highest grossing film of all time domestically - and the second worldwide. For people wondering about merchandising sales you won't be disappointed.  Much space is given to the various product lines and how they performed.  Bowen successfully argues that though most of the companies over produced their stocks, that did not mean the various items sold poorly. And yes, I still have most of my Phantom Menace collectibles in their original boxes in case you wondered. The only drawback with the book is their is a bit too much editorilaizing.  Bowen all but calls critics of the film idiots.  That said, it's a fascinating and very fast read.  I think everyone would enjoy it, but it's a must have for Star Wars fans.