Dress-up party at first public Star Wars screening here
Fans dress-up for first public screening of Star Wars movie
They forked out $180 each to be among the first in Singapore to feel the Force on the big screen.
And for these die-hard fans who caught the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens at Shaw Lido's Imax hall at the first public screening at 12.01am yesterday, it was money well spent on what, to them, was a five-star movie and a once-in-a-lifetime adrenaline rush.
Madam Stephanie See Toh, 53, even cosplayed as scavenger Rey, the heroine of the film, while her 14-year-old son Joshua dressed up as villain Kylo Ren.
The administrative manager bought both costumes during a recent holiday in New York City.
Madam See Toh, whose son queued for nine hours to get his hands on the $180 premiere package when it first went on sale on Nov 16, told The New Paper: "I was 14 when I watched my very first Star Wars movie on the big screen and now he's watching his first on the big screen at 14, too.
"This movie is very good for intergenerational bonding."
Only 190 packages were on sale. Each comprised a pair of tickets to the special screening, two more tickets to another Imax screening of the movie on another date and two sets of limited-edition movie collectibles.
Madam See Toh gushed: "The price was worth it. Getting to watch the movie with like-minded Star Wars fans was an amazing experience.
"As soon as the first note of the movie's signature tune played, everyone started to cheer and those with lightsabers lit them up.
"It was a nostalgic moment for people of my generation. It was almost like I was watching the very first Star Wars movie. It's a very familiar feeling, like seeing old friends whom you grew up with again."
STAYED ON
When the screening ended just after 2am, mother and son stayed on to mingle with fellow moviegoers, take photos and discuss the movie before going home at about 4am.
Madam See Toh plans to watch The Force Awakens again with the rest of her family.
"I was so overwhelmed by the special effects and I was so into the moment that I couldn't really pay attention to the storyline.
"But I've been thinking about all the scenes since the movie ended. The magic of the movie and the magic of the moment really lingers on," she said.
She added that her son has not stopped talking about how they will have to wait another two years to catch the sequel, Episode VIII, which is scheduled to be released on May 26, 2017.
Other fans such as Mr Adzreen Ismail and his brother Fadli showed up as Plo Koon and Saesee Tiin, members of the Jedi Order.
They spent about $300 each buying these costumes online and queued for 15 hours for the $180 premiere package.
Mr Adzreen, a 23-year-old animator, said: "The movie was more than good. I didn't want it to end."
He has not slept since the screening ended because he had to pack for an overseas trip, but his mind is still in that distant galaxy, replaying the final pivotal scene.
Mr Fadli, a 33-year-old technical officer, said: "The movie really picked up from where it left off. It was excellent.
"At first, I was sceptical when I heard that (director) J.J. Abrams was entrusted with the reboot because I'm not a fan of Star Trek (which he also directed), but my mind's been changed."
He said he managed to fall asleep only at 6am.
Mr Razali Mohamad, 35, a civil servant, felt the $180 was a "bargain" because the chance to watch the movie spoiler-free was "priceless".
He was dressed as villain Darth Maul, complete with two lightsabers, face paint and a self-made costume with horns.
He took a month to sew the outfit and his wife spent two and a half hours helping him get ready.
"I have to give her credit for her make-up skills. She has the patience of a Jedi, putting up with my Star Wars craze for years," said the father of two who watched it for the second time at noon yesterday with his seven-year-old daughter.
"The prequels didn't really meet my expectations, but this one did. Even though it's Episode VII, it's like a new start," he said.
I was so overwhelmed by the special effects and I was so in the moment that I couldn't really pay attention to the storyline. But I've been thinking about all the scenes since the movie ended. The magic of the movie and the magic of the moment really lingers on.
- Madam Stephanie See Toh
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