May the force be with you

Midnight, Wednesday - where will I be? Probably in bed, sleeping. Where will two of my buddies be? In line at Century 16 Theaters in Anchorage, waiting to see a movie.

What movie?

Stars Wars. The newest Star Wars. Star Wars 6 or something.

They tried to get me to go. But what do you say?

Should I be diplomatic?

"Hey Doug, Z, I think, I'll just have to pass."

Or just rude.

"Well, my Han Solo outfit is at the cleaners."

I opted for rude.

It worries me a little bit, that two men in their late 20s are planning their month around the release of the new Star Wars flick. But I am not as worried about them, as all of the other, slightly intense "fans." I'm always up for doing something a little different. I am a guy who last year stood four hours in the hot Las Vegas sun just to catch a live broadcast of the Howard Stern show. I am just not sure if I would fit into the Star Wars crowd. Don't see too many slightly chunky men in Cubs hats on the Millennium Falcon.

The intensity of the average Stars Wars fan scares me a little bit. News footage of the last Star Wars premiere showed crowds of middle-aged men acting out scenes from the original movies in frighteningly goofy costumes. There were more storm troopers in movie lines, than there were on the entire Death Star.

Doug and Z hopefully do not fit into this category. For the most part, they don't fit the profile of the stereotypical science- fiction fan. No cloaks, no Magic trading cards. I do know about their secret stash of Star Wars video games and action figures, but I am not sure if they plan to come out of the closet in full Star Wars gear. Although, physically, Doug and Z could have the exact proportions of Yoda and Chewbacca.

I guess a person's level of insanity parallels their interests, or obsessions. Showing up to the local theater at midnight in full costume is a little weird. But I suppose it can't be too much different than a jersey-clad fan tailgating before a football game. Or maybe a group of fans outside an arena wearing the T-shirt of the band, they are going to see. Although it is strange to wear the T-shirt of the band you are going to see.

Like Jeremy Piven said in the cult movie "PCU", "Don't be that guy."

Movies normally do not get this response from fans. What other movies have driven people to create a costume party out of the line running into the theater? I didn't see any Paul Giamatti look-a-likes, wine bottle in hand, staggering around before the premiere of Sideways. I am sure there were not many fans in three-piece suits, with black tie on black shirts, in line for the "Godfather" or "Goodfellas" premieres. Something tells me there might have been some hairy-footed Hobbits at the opening night for the "Lord of the Rings."

Does it come down to what is most socially acceptable? I am sure most people feel it is more appropriate to wear the colors of Scotty Gomez rather than Boba Fett.

But there are even nuts in the sports world. I am not big into face painting or drawing a team's logo on my chest. I am not sure if the total number of weird looks would be equal too, or less than, those Chewbacca gets when he is buying popcorn before the new Star Wars movie.

But I suppose, a little harmless fun is okay, as long as you don't take a light saber in the eye.

Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz will wait to get Yoda and Chewbacca's first-hand account of the Star Warrs premiere.