REVIEW. The Force is strong with “Star Wars in Concert.” A full symphony orchestra and choir perform live in front of an enormous screen that shows a summary of all six George Lucas films in episodic order. While the musicians hit cues of cymbals crashing along to planets exploding, and timpani drums rev to visuals of space ship propulsion, fire blasts from the front of the stage and lasers shoot into the audience. Oh, and it’s also narrated live by Anthony Daniels, the guy who played C-3PO in all six films! He is perfect gentleman of a host.
From the very first strains of THX intro and the 20th Century Fox theme, the musicians are amazing, celebrating the intricacies of John Williams’ score, as the brass and strings antagonize each other and depend on each other, much like the Rebel Alliance and the Empire.
But what is most exciting about “Star Wars in Concert” might be the achievement of editing these six stories together. The film clips work to form a unified narrative thread though they are divided by short thematic movements, most of which have slightly overdramatic titles like “A Hero Falls,” “A Race with Destiny,” and “An Empire is Forged.” Yes, you’ll only really understand it if you’re familiar with the world of George Lucas, but if you’re not you’ve probably been living in a galaxy far far away.
‘Star Wars in Concert’
Saturday, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
TD Garden
100 Legends Way, Boston
MBTA: Green Line to North Station
$35-$75, 800-745-3000
www.ticketmaster.com
Sunday, 6 p.m.
The Wachovia Center
3601 S Broad St.
$32-$72, 215-336-3600
www.ticketmaster.com
Saturday, Nov. 21, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Nassau Coliseum
1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Long Island
$36-$82, 516-794-9300
www.ticketmaster.com
