Don’t hold a place in line at ‘Star Wars’

Branden Ottenberg can hardly wait until midnight. He’s been waiting since May 1977 for this thing called “Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.”

He didn’t know then that he’d be waiting now. Ottenberg was a kid in Illinois when he met Luke Skywalker and “the best movie bad guy ever,” Darth Vader.

The 33-year-old Everett man will be at the Marysville 14 theater tonight and into the wee hours Thursday for the 12:01 a.m. showing of “Episode III.”

I’m all mixed up in prequel mania, but I know this: Three, as in “Episode III,” is really six, as in the sixth (and supposedly last) piece of the “Star Wars” saga.

You know that. You’ve been keeping up, haven’t you?

I wouldn’t mind seeing how it all ends – oh, wait, the Lucasfilm Ltd. tale doesn’t end with the new movie. Rather, I wouldn’t mind seeing how it all fits, if it didn’t require so much homework. Before I could watch the latest, I’d have to see four other movies, plus refresh my memory of the plain old “Star Wars.”

That’s the only one I’ve seen. We called it “Star Wars” in college. It’s now “Episode IV – A New Hope,” so my son tells me. Mighty pretentious. I prefer “Star Wars.” It suits my favorite character, Harrison Ford, driving his beat-up spaceship. Han Solo, right, I knew that.

Ottenberg said purists favor the early three movies, but he loves them all, and all the characters. “I even like Jar Jar Binks,” he said of the comic figure introduced in “Episode I – The Phantom Menace” and ripped by critics.

He’s more than a fan. Ottenberg works at Everett Comics &Cards, where he sells “Star Wars” figures and comic books.

“Basically, when the movies are out, they’re more popular,” he said. “We do have die-hards who come in every month.” His customers are all ages. “One, his mom brings him in, he’s maybe 10,” Ottenberg said.

The real finds are items from the early movies. “We had a Jedi figure in our store, still on its card, valued at $120,” Ottenberg said. “The new stuff is hit or miss.”

At Black Cat Antiques in Snohomish, which specializes in old toys, Jason Milsom said newer “Star Wars” items won’t be as apt to become valuable, ironically because so many adults now collect them.

“When the first movie came out, the only people buying the toys were kids, or parents buying for kids,” Milsom said.

Ottenberg has his own collection, and they’re anything but untouched. “I opened all my stuff. And I admit I still play with them,” with help from his 4-year-old daughter, Mikayla.

Milsom, who saw the 1977 “Star Wars” at Everett’s Puget Park Drive-In, said most of the collectibles are sold online. Black Cat Antiques does have a vintage radio-controlled R2-D2. Asking price for the 7-inch droid is $40.

On eBay, the online auction site, I found among dozens of “Star Wars” collectibles a Darth Vader FX Lightsaber, with $137.50 the last bid, and a Star Wars Trilogy Arcade Game for $3,750.

At Half Price Books near Everett Mall, bookseller Alyssa Gourley said Tuesday that she’s seeing lots of interest in a C-3PO action figure priced at $125.98. Gourley will see “Episode III” on its release day, but only because “I’m being dragged along.”

After the late-night showing, Ottenberg and a friend will go back for more. He’s taking Thursday off from work so he can see the movie again at the Loews Cineplex at Alderwood.

Guess I won’t be joining the crowd, not until I watch four other “Star Wars” films. Don’t hold a place for me in line.

First, I have to see all three movies in “The Lord of the Rings” series, but not before I’ve read all those J.R.R. Tolkien books. Then I’ll make my way through all those wondrous stories of Harry Potter (I’ve read the first one, but haven’t seen any of the movies – yet).

You know what I need? No, not a never-opened Star Wars Collectible Poster Calendar, $8.99 on eBay. I need to make an investment in time.

And to get through all those viewing hours, I need energy – some kind of force that stays with you.

Columnist Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460 or muhlsteinjulie@heraldnet.com.