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On Saturday, March 3, 2007, I had the privilege of being able to visit the 'Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination' exhibit at California Science Center in Los Angeles. My party was in the front of what proved to be a fairly long line of Star Wars fans of all ages that had formed in anticipation of the exhibits 10am opening. We had arrived early in hopes of avoiding the up to 2 hour wait time that the Science Center's web site had warned about. At 10 we were escorted upstairs to the exhibit and quickly began to mill about the exhibits. As you first enter the door you are greeted, to your immediate right, by the Land Speeder from 'A New Hope'. I was personally taken back by the fact that I was standing in the presence of an object that I had seen on film hundreds of times, but thought that I would never actually see in person. My awe would not end there.
Throughout the exhibit are dozens of props and costumes from all six of the Star Wars films with some hands on science experiments thrown into the mix so that the visitor can get a good feel for how Hollywood imagination has lead to genuine scientific advancements. Just about everything a Star Wars fan would want to see is there for the gawking. Behind glass are Luke Skywalkers X-Wing Fighter, the Darth Vader costume from the original Star Wars, the Sandcrawler model, Wookie costumes from 'Revenge of the Sith', they are all here. I could have spent the entire day just staring at the amazing detail that goes into each model and costume. This is the only way, unless you get an invite to Skywalker Ranch, that the average Star Wars fan can view these wonderful items that helped create the Star Wars saga.
What really struck me, was the fact that the exhibit was free! An exhibit of this magnitude could have easily fetched a $10, $20 or even $40 price tag due to sheer number of items that are on display.
For the fans who are lucky enough to live in the Los Angeles area, or have the means to make a trip to the City of Angels, this is a once in a lifetime event that can't be missed.
The 'Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination' exhibit runs until April 29, 2007 at the California Science Center in Exhibition Park near downtown Los Angeles. Directions and general information can be found on the Science Center's website HERE.
Here is a collection of some of the many items that are on display:
Millennium Falcon, scale model, from 'The Empire Strikes Back' - It's huge! The detail on it is just amazing.
The Princess Leia costume from 'A New Hope', The R2-D2 costume from the 'original trilogy', and the C3P0 costume from 'Revenge of the Sith'.
"We've spotted Imperial Walkers" - An actual model of an Imperial AT-AT from 'The Empire Strikes Back'
One of the many Y-Wing fighter models used in 'A New Hope'.
The Rebel Blockade Runner model from 'A New Hope'. Yes, the rumors are true, there is a tiny Star Wars poster in the cockpit. You have to look real close to see it due to the low lighting.
The 'life size' Landspeeder from 'A New Hope'. Amazing detail. Looks like you could jump in and drive it home. 
An Imperial Tie Fighter model from the 'original trilogy'
Luke Skywalkers X-Wing Fighter model from 'the original trilogy'. I know I'm beating a dead horse but I have to mention the detail on this model. You can clearly see the controls inside the cockpit. It is that detailed.
The Wampa costume from 'The Empire Strikes Back'. I always loved this creature. It was a thrill to be able to see this costume.
The model of Luke Skywalker riding a Tauntaun from 'The Empire Strikes Back'.
The Darth Vader costume from 'A New Hope' that was worn by David Prowse. To say I was in awe of this is an understatement. I was in the presence of the 'Dark Lord of the Sith'!
The Imperial Star Destroyer model from 'A New Hope'. When this ship zoomed over head at the beginning of Star Wars science fiction cinema, in fact all cinema, changed forever.
One again I have to say that seeing these items (there are far more not shown here) was a life long dream come true and I urge any Star Wars, or movie fan in general, to take advantage of this free opportunity that only comes around rarely in a lifetime.
"May The Force Be With You" - Ken
See Also: Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Designing A New Galaxy / Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Lucas And Filoni Talk About The Film / Warner Bros - Comic Con 2008 Sneak Previews / The First Clone Wars Trailer Will Air Tonight! / Interview - Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca Speaks!) / The Empire Takes Over Deal Or No Deal /Star Wars: The Clone Wars Comes To Cinemas And TV In 2008
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Man I would give anything to see those models up close and personal
ReplyDeletethose look exactly like the ones from the movie
ReplyDeleteThose ARE the ones from the movie...
ReplyDeleteBUT, that is NOT Luke's X-Wing (Red 5) on display. That is Biggs Darklighter's (Red 3)!
But it does make me wonder how Biggs' X-Wing could be there when they blew it up making A New Hope...