How To See The 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Trailer The Right Way
This weekend, the trailer for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will be playing in select theaters in front of every single screening.
This means a few things. One, it's likely that J.J. Abrams is releasing the trailer this way because he wants your first viewing to come from the big screen. Two, that's probably how you should see it. And three, the world will try to ruin it for you first.
But it is possible to have a perfect viewing experience for the first "Force Awakens" teaser, and if you follow these rules, that's much more likely to happen.
Go On Friday
With something like this (i.e. something everyone wants to see, but won't want to pay for) time isn't on your side. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that something will be spoiled for you or some loud-mouth will shove his or her opinion down your throat. The screenings start on Friday; go on Friday.
Stay Offline
As annoying as Abrams' mystery box mentality can be, there is some thought to it. There have never been more platforms for hype and speculation, which are two things that can kill a viewing experience. If you want the purest trailer viewing experience possible, avoid Twitter and any online discussion about the teaser. It'll be hard, but all of that stuff will be there once you have something to say about it, after you've seen the damn thing.
Avoid Shopping Malls
Hmmm, the Friday after Thanksgiving. I feel like there's something else happening that day, some annual national shame. Oh, that's right: Black Friday. The malls of America will be packed to the gills with discount shoppers, literally stomping each other to death for sweet, sweet deals. If you have a choice of theaters, go to the one that's furthest from the madness.
Go See Something Good
When your primary objective when buying a ticket for a movie is to see one of the trailers playing beforehand, it's an opportunity to check out a movie you mind not have otherwise seen on the big screen. Go see "Birdman" or "Foxcatcher" or "Nightcrawler" or "Whiplash" or "Dear White People" or "Beyond the Lights." It'll make the actual feature film worth the trip.
(Also, do yourself a favor and watch the full video of the GIF above.)
Don't Leave After The Trailer
Speaking of which, stay for the whole damn movie. No 88-second teaser is worth the price of admission.
