Star Wars fans camp out for tickets
For Uniontown resident Michael Perrota, camping out for tickets Wednesday to see the new Star Wars movie was more than just making sure he would have a seat at last night’s midnight showing. “We didn’t need to do this to get the tickets. We did this to show what kind of fans we are,” Perrota said. Perrota was one of several dedicated Star Wars fans who camped outside Carmike Cinema Six at the Uniontown Mall Tuesday night to buy the first tickets to see “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.”
By the time the Cinema opened and began selling tickets at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Perrota was joined by more than two dozen people, all eager to see the latest installment of George Lucas’s epic science fiction saga.
For their part, the most devout fans had high expectations for the new movie.
“This will be the best Star Wars to date,” claimed an excited Stanley Hetz of Fairchance as he entered the box office to purchase his ticket. Hetz said he has been keeping up with all of the latest buzz surrounding the new release through several Star Wars websites and was confident that “Attack of the Clones” would be a crowd pleaser.
“I have been reading the script since it was first released on the web. This movie will be right on the money. It will blow the others away,” Hetz added.
Bob Bowlin of Brownsville agreed with Hetz’s assessment.
“I think this one will really be the best one,” Bowlin said. “The Phantom Menace” was just setting up the story and introducing the characters. This one is going to go further and be more like the Empire Strikes Back,” Bowlin added.
“Episode II: Attack of the Clones” is the fifth Star Wars movie made by Lucas. Originally released in 1977, Star Wars holds a plethora of box office records and continues to gross millions of dollars in revenue for merchandise and toys. Three years ago Lucas produced his first new Star Wars movie in over 20 years with the release of “Episode I: The Phantom Menace.”
“Attack of the Clones” takes place 10 years after the “Phantom Menace” and follows Anakin Skywalker, a young Jedi Knight, who eventually turns to the Dark Side and becomes Darth Vader, the quintessential villain that was an integral part of the original movies.
According to early reviews, “Attack of the Clones” is a darker movie than the “Phantom Menace” and prepares audiences for Anakin’s full decline into the Dark Side, the topic of the next-and final-Star Wars movie. The newest Star Wars chapter incorporates many elements familiar to fans including a prominent role for Jedi Master Yoda and incredible special effects and battle scenes.
“Attack of the Clones” also introduces some new aspects to Star Wars, including a heavy emphasis on a romance that develops between Anakin and Senator Amidala.
Most male fans don’t seem to mind the new romantic plot and instead hope that it can help them lure their girlfriends to the theater.
“I am actually looking forward to it,” said Jared Gregor, a junior at Laurel Highlands High School, who staked out his spot in line at 5 a.m. “Hopefully I can get my girlfriend to come see it with me since there is the romantic aspect.’
Regardless of romance, one female who is obviously excited about the return of Star Wars to the box office is Jen Sepic, assistant manager of the Carmike Cinema Six. According to Sepic, ticket sales for the opening weekend are excepted to be brisk.
“We are anticipating big business. Tonight will be crowded with the most rabid fans but we will be showing it on at least three screens through next Friday,” Sepic said.
Business aside, Sepic herself is a huge Star Wars fanatic and came to work Wednesday dressed in a new Star Wars T-shirt and a light saber strapped to her belt.
“I heard that it’s better than Episode One but I loved Episode One anyway. I am just really looking forward to this,” Sepic said.
For those Star Wars fans looking for a different way to experience the magic, the Brownsville Drive-In will also be featuring the movie on its big screen. Like Carmike, the drive-in kicked off Star Wars mania with a showing of the film at midnight last night.
“Star Wars is really neat to see on the biggest drive in screen in the state of Pennsylvania under the real stars,” said Tom Clarke, owner of the drive-in. Clarke said that his business has received numerous phone calls about “Attack of the Clones” and that the movie will become a regular feature at the drive-in.
“We are ready and we will be having regular showings of it every night,” Clarke added.
Perhaps one of the greatest attributes of Star Wars is its ability to transcend generations. Calling himself a mercenary, Scott Wendell of Dawson was patiently waiting in line for tickets not only for himself but his two young sons, Brad and Shawn.
“I remember when I saw the originals. Then, a few years ago they released them again on the big screen and I took my kids. They just loved them,” Wendell remarked. The family fascination with Star Wars continued with “Phantom Menace.”
“I saw that one with my kids so many times that I felt like I could have jumped in and taken over,” Wendell joked. Now, the Wendell family can hardly wait for the newest Star Wars adventure to begin.
“My kids had school today but they sent me here anyway. We are all just really excited,” Wendell said.