An R2-D2 lookalike beeped and rolled his way through the movie theater parking lot, a rock band played its version of Darth Vader’s theme, and fans snapped pictures with costumed storm troopers before a special screening Thursday of “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” at Denver’s Continental theater.
Roughly 600 fans who paid $125 to $250 for tickets started lining up two hours before theater doors opened.
Proceeds were going to the Colorado Children’s Campaign, one of the children’s charities benefiting from special screenings in Denver and nine other cities around the country.
Six-year-old John Soto Jr., dressed as Luke Skywalker, stood in line between his uncle and father, swinging a blue, balloon light saber. He’d been telling his kindergarten classmates all day that he would be watching the movie.
“It’s kind of neat,” said his father, John Soto Sr., 38. “I grew up when my younger brother was going through the euphoria a lot of kids were going through with Star Wars. Now I get to watch my child enjoy Star Wars the way my brother watched it years ago.”
Under two white tents in the parking lot, moviegoers could bid on Star Wars items and mingle with the Rocky Mountain Fan Force, a group of fans who often volunteer to appear in costume at charity events.
Fan Force leader Stacy Ayer, of Parker, posed for photos in his leather, fiberglass and wool Darth Vader costume, complete with breathing sounds and a voice modulator.
“At our core we’re just all big kids,” said Ayer, 36. “It’s our chance to give the gift George Lucas gave us with the Star Wars universe and share it for a great cause.”
The “Revenge of the Sith,” coming 28 years after the original “Star Wars” premiered in 1977, shows Anakin Skywalker’s shift from good to evil as he becomes Darth Vader.
Clarence Pinnecoose said after the film that the $250 he spent for a ticket was well worth it. The 29-year-old graduated from the Community College of Denver this week, but said he was more nervous and excited for the final Star Wars installment.
“To finally see something that the whole U.S. is anticipated to see and get to see it a whole week before is something really great,” he said.
He called the film darker than previous episodes.
“To finally see how he became Darth Vader and to hear that first breath that he takes in that mask … that was intense,” Pinnecoose said. “I was happy the way it ended. It just tied it all together and summed it all up.”
