Star Wars: In Concert

Judging from two nearly sold-out events Saturday at the TD Garden, the Star Wars franchise is alive and well, and as popular with young kids as ever.

The gathering at the Garden wasn't a fan fest or sci-fi convention that attracted more than 20,000 fans to the arena, but a symphony concert featuring the music from the Star Wars films.

The event, Star Wars in Concert, was a wonderful blend of music and cinema, executed at the highest level of quality.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, under the direction of conductor Dirk Brosse, is traveling to 40 North American cities this Fall, playing highlights from John Williams' scores from the six Star Wars films, accompanied by crystal-clear footage from the films on a huge HD screen.

As the music is performed, the story of Anikin and Luke Skywalker, Obi Wan-Kenobi, Princess Leia, Darth Vader and Han Solo unfolds on the giant video screen. The inter-galactic tale is narrated in person by British actor Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO in the films. The story is told chronologically, from Episode I through Episode VI, which helps fill in some of the plot points for novice viewers. It also saves the best three movies for last.

Daniels was a welcome presence and lends the proceedings a level of authenticity by having an original cast member present. The event would have been even more exciting if there were occasional appearances by some of the costumed Star Wars characters, such as Vader, Chewbacca, R2-D2, Boba Fett or even some storm troopers--but there are plenty of amateur versions of those characters, both young and old, walking around the arena on their own.

The sound of the orchestra was remarkably clear, especially considering it was being performed in an arena usually used for basketball and hockey games. The main Star Wars theme made several appearances during the concert, as did the menacing Darth Vader theme music.

The movie clips, projected on a massive 50 x 20 foot HD screen, were crisp and bright--even at the other end of the arena. The clip selections were well-chosen, with only a few moments of repeated footage. Thankfully, Jar-Jar Binks, the annoying Steppin Fetchit character from The Phantom Menace, received little screen time, but fan favorite Boba Fett probably deserved a little more.

About two dozen Star Wars costumes and other artifacts from the movies were also on display in the concourse of the Garden, providing fans a chance to see Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and Queen Amidala costumes up close, as well as a replica Yoda, the panel of Harrison Ford's Han Solo character frozen in carbonite, and an assortment of other odd characters from the six films.

For a casual fan who's only seen each film once, the event was thoroughly entertaining and extremely well done. For die-hard fans who can quote dialogue and name every obscure character, it was a remarkable opportunity to hear John Williams' regal music from the films performed live by a full orchestra during some of their favorite scenes from the movies.

After the success of this event, it wouldn't be surprising to see similar events done in the future for Harry Potter, or similar films--or perhaps a greatest hits tour of other films John Williams has scored. If they're done at the same level of quality, the fans will undoubtedly be quite pleased.