Star Wars: Path of the Jedi (Film Review)

So this is open now. :) #StarWars #PathOfTheJedi #softopening #Disneyland #SeasonOfTheForce #Tomorrowland If you still haven't watched any of the movies, major #SpoilerAlert before you enter! ha ha

A photo posted by Frank Pepito (@gone2disneyland) on Nov 14, 2015 at 6:19pm PST

So I watched the new tribute short Star Wars: Path of the Jedi movie that soft opened last night where Captain EO used to play in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. The film short is one of a number of new attractions and thematic overlays under the promotional umbrella Season of the Force that takes over Tomorrowland and Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World this season. It's all because of a little movie coming out from Disney in December, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens.

I actually know people - mostly under the age of 25 - who still have not watched some or any of the first six Star Wars films. Path of the Jedi spoils EVERYTHING! Ha ha. So there's your spoiler alert if you know one or you're one of them considering to see this before seeing the original films.

But as a long-time SW fan, there were times I was really kinda moved by the tribute. It was all stuff I'd seen before, nothing new was shown. But some new music composed for the short (not by SW composer John Williams, but clearly homages to his work) and connecting scenes from different films across generations created a fresh look at the Skywalker family story giving a meaningful reminder of the effect the Force has had in their lives AND OUR experience enjoying the cinematic thrill ride.

In that first viewing, none of the scenes from the Prequel Trilogies came across bad or jokey. During the screening, I remember worrying about that when those scenes started showing up. Hopefully, that feeling of actually enjoying the PT scenes in this short's context continues when I go back to see it again. Great job of editing selected PT scenes juxtaposed with Original Trilogy clips.

Mild spoiler: Perhaps the editing choice that the filmmaker's will earn the greatest respect from long-time fans for was including the original take from Episode VI when Darth Vader does not say, "Nooooooooo!" NOT hearing that - the silence in that moment - was so badass!

#StarWars #PathOfTheJedi tribute movie signage and poster at the #TomorrowlandTheatre at night. #softopening #Disneyland #Tomorrowland #SeasonOfTheForce

A photo posted by Frank Pepito (@gone2disneyland) on Nov 14, 2015 at 7:47pm PST

While it's not a preview with exclusive new scenes from The Force Awakens as Disney has often done for previous Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Studios and Pixar Studios previews screened at the parks, Star Wars: Path of the Jedi wasn't a waste of time for this SW fan.

#Tomorrowland's entrance has a new look now. Signs and banners heralding the #SeasonOfTheForce at #Disneyland #StarWars

A photo posted by Frank Pepito (@gone2disneyland) on Nov 14, 2015 at 5:53pm PST