I knew I was watching Star Wars on the big screen when I saw the Sandperson.

It had always bothered me that on the small screen, when Luke spotted the nomadic Tusken Raider through his techno-binoculars, the viewers couldn't see who he was talking about. Clipped for television, the Sandperson who enters from the far right was lost to the viewer.

On the big screen, I found him. He and other details, such as Darth Vader's red eyes, See-Threepio's dirty chrome and Princess Leia's lipstick, stood out like never before.

When Star Wars was first released in late 1977, no one had ever seen such an ambitious sci-fi film. Only 2001: A Space Oddyssey had come close, but it paled next to the standard set by George Lucas' masterpiece. Star Wars created a phenomenon that followed through its two sequels and a merchandising empire that includes paraphernalia such as books, cartoons, radio dramas and collector's plates.

I'm sure many college students today have fond memories of playing with their Star Wars figures, either re-creating scenes from the movie or making up their own space adventures.

Since the film's debut, numerous others have aimed their blasters at re-creating this phenomenon. Some were serious attempts, such as the Star Trek films and the Alien trilogy, but Explorers and The Last Starfighter were more light-hearted affairs.

And, of course, there are the parodies, such as Mel Brooks' hilarious Spaceballs and the little-known Hardware Wars, which starred "Luke Warmwater" and featured a brown muppet as "Chuchilla, the Wookie Monster."

Because it is a '70s film, there are some obvious anachronisms in Star Wars when seen today. Sideburns of the porkchop variety are definitely '70s relics, despite today's comeback attempts in "Beverly Hills 90210." And the Danish rolls Leia sports seem almost revolutionary after eyeing alterna-singer Bjork and Holly Hunter in The Piano. On the other hand, Luke just desperately needs his bangs cut.

Plotwise, the classic themes are all here. Good vs. evil, boy becomes man, mysterious forces at work. But Lucas' story takes these hoary old cliches and weaves them together to make even the most unlikely of settings suit these conflicts. And the special effects still inspire awe.

Spotting details was not my main purpose for going to the State Theater last week. I wanted to see how the classic has held up in light of the cultural phenomenon it has become. I wasn't alone -- the one-night screening had lines halfway down College Avenue for both shows.

The crowd was like that of typical cult-film followers. One moviegoer was dressed in full Darth Vader regalia, including cape and helmet. Others were arguing about who was more the hero, Luke Skywalker or Han Solo. And during the film, audiences roared at Threepio's whining and hissed when Vader took to the screen.

Last year, Lucas announced that he is finally preparing the next trilogy that will detail events that took place before the films we have already seen. The new films will focus on the Clone Wars, which Luke and Ben Kenobi discuss early in the film.

Simply put, Star Wars is still a dazzling film that deserves its place in history. Coming from this big kid, Star Wars hasn't lost its ability to make you believe. I think I'll go home now, find my old Star Wars figures and let the memories flow.

-- Return of the Jedi will be shown at 7:15 and 9:45 tonight at the State Theater.