May the FORCE be with you

Craig Haskell and Stuart Brown have a few costumes each and regularly attend charity events around NZ. Photo/John Borren

Star Wars fans have awakened and excitement is building around the release of the new film next week.

Star Wars isn't just a movie to Tauranga men Craig Haskell and Stuart Brown - it's a passion and a way of bringing big grins to the faces of generations of Kiwi fans.

The pair are Star Wars 'costumers' who dress up - mostly as Stormtroopers - to attend charity and promotional events.

On Wednesday - a day before the official release of the new Star Wars film The Force Awakens - the pair will head to a special pre-release of the movie at Auckland's Sylvia Park.

However, they won't be able to enjoy it in their Stormtrooper suits because they can't sit in them comfortably. The longest Mr Haskell has worn his was for an eight-hour stretch at a charity event.

Mr Haskell - who has seen the first six Star Wars films about a dozen times each - is one of a number of Bay fans approaching the release date with eager apprehension.

"I'm sort of a bit apprehensive about it because the more they hype things the more you could potentially be let down," he said.

Following the Auckland screening, Mr Haskell said he would probably watch the movie again at the Tauranga theatre, "maybe a couple of days after the initial burst."

His favourite Star Wars film is The Empire Strikes Back because he likes the AT-ATs and the Snowtrooper fighting scenes.

His prized red Stormtrooper costume cost him about $1200 to make, including extras like a cooling fan for inside the helmet, and is one of a collection of four Star Wars costumes and two from the Battlestar Galactica television series.

He'd like his next project to be one of the Stormtroopers from The Force Awakens, which appear to be based on concept drawings from the early 70s, he said.

"The look on them is quite different," he said.

Mr Haskell and Mr Brown are both members of the international 501st Legion and Rebel Legions.

The Rebel Legion represents the Star Wars 'goodies' and the 'bad guys' are the 501st Legion. Membership of one or both groups is dependent on which costume a fan wears.

Craig Haskell, Stuart Brown and local fans gear up for the upcoming Star Wars movie. Photo/John Borren

Mr Haskell said he knew of a few Bay Star Wars fans, who were happy to talk about their impressive collections if the topic came up in conversation.

"I know there are a few around. It's almost like people keep it secret, but don't."

He enjoyed sharing his passion for Star Wars with others and attended a Christmas party in Auckland for underprivileged children last weekend and was due to do the same in the Waikato this weekend.

Mr Haskell wasn't planning a Star Wars movie marathon before the new movie was released but was enjoying the pop-up Star Wars Sky Channel, which featured nothing but Star Wars movies and cartoons.

From coffee cups to T-shirts there was Star Wars everything available for the up-coming movie, with Mr Haskell recently purchasing a new razor that had a Stormtrooper stand.

Mr Haskell said a lot of fans in their 30s and 40s were now introducing their own children to Star Wars and it was often parents who were more excited about having their photo taken with a Stormtrooper than their children, he said.

Tauranga father of three Marcel Currin is looking forward to sharing his Star Wars fandom with his three sons this month.

"I was pretty quick to buy tickets for my family for the opening weekend. I'm really excited because my three boys and I will get to sit in a cinema and watch a Star Wars film on the big screen that none of us have ever seen.

Local fan loves a Stormtrooper hug with Craig Haskell and Stuart Brown. Photo/John Borren

"This film takes us into completely new territory. The prequels were always going to lead to Darth Vader, so we knew where the story was headed. This time we have no idea. That's what is so exciting."

Mr Currin and his wife had Han Solo and Princess Leia on their wedding cake and the published writer and poet has penned an alternate version of the prequels because he thought the story could have been told a lot better.

"Star Wars is not necessarily my favourite movie or story, but it resonates with the 10-year-old in me who first saw Return of the Jedi at the movies. At that age it seemed incredibly important and magical that Luke Skywalker's lightsaber was green instead of blue.

"The sights and sounds of Star Wars have become like Pavlov's bell for the geeks of my generation. They evoke strong emotions which is why we get so nerdy when we see the Millennium Falcon in action again."

Mr Currin said he had been trying "really hard" not to put too much hope in this film in case it lets him down.

"It's a movie; I know I will get to see it. My greatest fear is spoilers. The new Batman vs Superman trailer came out this week and it pretty much gave away the entire dramatic arc of the movie. That shows lack of respect for the audience."

Fan can't resist a selfie, Craik Haskell and Stuart Brown as Stormtroopers. Photo/John Borren