Valley OUT IN FORCE

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

alcorn@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

Rachel Gobep and Nick Borucki watched a 12-hour “Star Wars” marathon before being among the first to arrive at Cinemark Tinseltown USA to see the 7 p.m. showing Thursday of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Gobep, who wore a Yoda hat, and Borucki, both of Canfield, say their favorite character is Yoda, master jedi.

“Yoda is not your typical hero. He is small but powerful,” Borucki said.

Gobep and Borucki were among the hundreds of people who attended one of the 10 showings of the highly anticipated seventh episode of the “Star Wars” series.

Friends Jon Fanta of Poland and John Gallo of Youngstown said they were excited to be a part of the initial showing of the highly anticipated film in the Youngstown area.

“Who doesn’t love a good space movie?” asked Gallo, who said Yoda is “100 percent my favorite character.”

Brandon Pasqual of Boardman, standing with three friends, Brian Beck, Zack Tomasko and Sean Mackie, all of Boardman, outside the theater waiting for the movie to begin, said he has been a “Star Wars” fan since he was a kid.

“I stand with the Dark Side,” said Pasqual, whose favorite “Star Wars” character is Darth Vader.

The new “Star Wars” film is the biggest event of the Christmas break, said Beck, a Youngstown State University student.

“I grew up watching “Star Wars.” I plan to laminate my ticket,” Makie said, holding up his precious ducat.

Jennifer Simon of Poland said she left her husband and kids at home and came to see “Star Wars” with her brother, Jason Simon of Canfield, and her mother, Mary Ann Simon of Austintown.

Jennifer, wearing her 1977 C-3PO necklace and earring set that she bought for herself, said she and her brother grew up as “Star Wars” fans.

“We had all the toys, but they all went in garage sales except the one that Dad ran over in the driveway,” she said.

Not everybody at the theater was a life-long “Star Wars” enthusiast.

Vanessa Lalama of Columbiana, 37, had never seen a “Star Wars” movie until her husband, Brian, “made me watch them all” before attending Thursday’s showing.

Now, she admits, she is hooked. “This is huge.”

Brian, who grew up with “Star Wars” and is a “Vader guy,” said he was “very much looking forward to the movie.”

Andrew Berg, of Canfield, who accompanied the Lalamas to the movie, said he watched the “Star Wars” movies growing up.

“We had the original on VHS,” he said.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” received rave reviews from viewers interviewed by The Vindicator before seeing the film and called afterward with their reactions.

“Absolutely amazing,” said Jon Fanta and John Gallo.

“It was awesome. It captured all the classic “Star Wars” drama. It has a nostalgic feel and great graphics. We can’t wait for the next “Star Wars,” they said.

Brian Lalama said the movie is “a stunning and spectacular cinematic experience ... really quite fantastic. Old and new fans alike will absolutely love it. It was excellent.”