A long time ago….
Thirty-two years and seven months ago, to be exact, Luke proved Jedis look better in black, Boba Fett had a bad-jetpack day, Darth Vader finally earned his “Universe’s Best Dad” coffee mug, and Han, Leia and the feisty teddy bears whooped it up around a bonfire after a successful round of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots.
Now, it’s finally time to find out what happened next.
Those of you who have no idea what everybody’s so excited about, perhaps it’s time you crawled out from the lava tube you’ve been living in to join the party. The rest of us will be packing into theaters across the Big Island beginning Thursday night to take in the virtually guaranteed blockbuster and cultural phenomenon (even if the movie’s no good, knock on wood) “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
For decades, many hardcore fans of the films living on Hawaii Island have often felt isolated, as if they were in a galaxy far, far away, watching as their counterparts on the mainland let their freak flags fly at the plethora of fan conventions around the country available to anyone with a ticket, a costume and a full tank of gas.
But in the last three years, a vibrant Big Isle community of sci-fi nerds and fantasy geeks has sprung up and spread its wings, thanks largely to the launch of HawaiiCon. The sci-fi convention, held annually at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows, has helped to give science fiction fans on island a community all their own, said filmmaker and HawaiiCon organizer GB Hajim.
“Before there was HawaiiCon, especially on this island, there was no place for people of like minds to show off their geekdom and nerddom,” he said Friday. “Since we started, there’s been so much more cosplay (in which fans dress up in the guises of their favorite pop-culture characters) on our island, and the gaming community has gotten together in a much bigger way.”
That community will be out in force this weekend, he said, not just to see the movie, but to enjoy the communal experience of reveling in their shared passion.
“I think the idea of the Force — which surrounds us and connects us all — that’s what’s so special to us about Star Wars. The idea that we are all interconnected,” Hajim said. “It resonates with the community. We’re all connected through our love of science fiction and fantasy.
“You know, you talk to engineers and scientists, people like Elon Musk and other big picture thinkers. The majority of these people all go back to the first time they came to Star Wars or Star Trek for the first time. They were captured by the idea of a world or future where everything is better. That’s the power of science fiction. Imagining the places we’re headed. Without that image or idea, nobody can take the first step.”
For Hilo-area dayspa owner and operator Cheriess Bugado, the film represents a chance to hit the town with friends and family and relive memories of her childhood — all while rocking her home-crafted Vixen Vader costume.
“I’m 36, and I must have seen it when I was like 5 or 6 years old. My dad was a huge Star Wars fan,” she said. “I love the first three, Episodes IV, V, and VI. I just grew up on them. My son is 7, and he identifies with Episodes I, II, and III. So, we kind of bond on that level.”
A self- professed “Darth Vader nut,” Bugado said she has multiple costumes portraying the Sith Lord, although she’s not sure if she’ll wear one of them into the theater for “The Force Awakens.”
“I don’t know, if I’m in my Vader helmet, it might block everyone’s view!” she said.
Bugado said she bought her tickets online early on. In fact, she said, she bought tickets for two different showings. Despite her eager anticipation, however, she’s managed to remain blissfully ignorant about the plot of the new film.
“I literally have not watched one commercial, one teaser, nothing. I do not want to know anything,” she said with a laugh.
So, how are Hawaii Island theaters prepping for the anticipated onslaught of rabid Star Wars fans upon launch of the new film on Thursday night? That’s a question Master Yoda himself might have trouble answering.
Theater managers referred all media inquiries to their corporate communications overlords on the mainland, whose information on Big Isle preparations was about as helpful as obtaining target-practice lessons from a Stormtrooper.
However, online ticket seller Fandango.com, which began advance ticket sales for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in October, revealed Friday that three showings scheduled for Thursday night at Regal Cinemas Prince Kuhio 9 were sold out. A 9 p.m. show still had some tickets available.
A young lady at the ticket counter said the film would be showing on two screens, including one in 3D, adding that tickets were still available for all of the Friday, Dec. 18, shows.
Meanwhile, the Big Island’s west coast appears to be the best bet for latecomers wishing to still get in on the action Thursday evening. On Friday, Fandango showed that tickets were still available for Thursday shows at the Regal Cinemas at Makalapua Stadium 10 and the Regal Cinemas Keauhou Stadium 7.
For those who can’t buy tickets opening night, fear not Star Wars fanatics. Chances are pretty good the film will hang around in theaters until everyone has had a chance to find out if “The Force Awakens” director J.J. Abrams was able to live up to the legacy of Star Wars creator George Lucas, who sold Lucasfilm, the company that made him a billionaire, to Disney in 2012.
“I think (Lucas) had confidence enough it would turn out good and keep his legacy going,” Bugado said. “I don’t think it’s going to suck. It’s going to be amazing.”
Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.