Fans of the Force gather for final treat

Actor Keisha Castle-Hughes hobnobs with 'storm troopers' before the charity screening last night. Picture / Martin Sykes

Fans of all shapes and sizes - Jedis, storm troopers, sand people - were among the 1300 people at the charity premiere of Star Wars 3: Revenge of the Sith at Village Skycity Cinema in Newmarket last night.

Tickets were $49, with proceeds estimated at $25,000 going to children's charity Variety.

Devoted fan Aaron Calman, 33, said he had been waiting 28 years for the movie, his dedication reflected in two Star Wars characters tattooed on his right arm, with plans for a third one next week.

Also in attendance were New Zealand actors Bodie Taylor, Jay Laga'aia and Keisha Castle-Hughes, who all feature in the movie.

Castle-Hughes said she had to walk in high-heels with a heavy, metal head-piece for her role.

"It was like nothing I'd ever done before. It was fun, a great experience."

Earlier yesterday, Storm Trooper TK102, alias Chris Toki, a quality assurance worker from Hamilton, organised a band of troopers, TIE Pilots, and a Boba Fett to promote the New Zealand premiere.

The group gathered in Aotea Square just after noon, running a bit late and leaving a robed-up Mayor Dick Hubbard looking forlorn as he awaited their arrival.

Mr Hubbard gave his long arms a little flap and welcomed the 15 or so band, whom he said brought magic and colour to the day. A Tusken Raider grunted.

The group members, from as far-far away as Dunedin, then dispersed to pose for free photos. A few storm troopers headed off to another location further down Queen St.

At the Village Skycity cinema centre, Darth Vader was scared of using the escalator in case his long robe caught in the steps. Darth, alias Callum Farmer, a 24-year-old film-maker from Napier, eventually shed his hot mask for a breather.

Your guide to the film series

1. Star Wars

One of the biggest cultural slamdunks of all time - like JFK's death, everyone can remember where they saw it for the first time. Within minutes of leaving, kids everywhere were wearing Star Wars T-shirts, practising the force on tennis balls, using any stick within reach as a light sabre to settle arguments over Luke being cooler than Han, and developing asthmatic Darth Vader breathing conditions. Was big dumb fun with did-you-see-that special effects. Sold out for weeks and made hair buns cool again.

2. The Empire Strikes Back

Considered by geeks as the best of the bunch, it was darker, more introspective and had cooler battles. Han gets frozen in carbonite, Leia is enslaved to Jabba the Hut, and the rebel movement is left wandering about with quivering bottoms lips. Saw the further development of the bizarre love triangle between Luke, Leia and Han and the arrival of Yoda, the muppet in space.

3. Return of the Jedi

Two words: bloody ewoks. The alliance's final, climactic, intergalactic victory rests on the hairy shoulders and pointed sticks of a village of cuddly teddies. Even so, the film was immortalised by Darth Vader's classic line "Luke I am your father" and Leia's iddy biddy metal bikini. In the end the goodies win, and Han gets the girl after Luke discovers Leia is his sister - before sinking to his knees to thank the force they never had a big pash session or anything.

4. The Phantom Menace

The damage inflicted by the ewoks pales against the lameness of Jar Jar Binks. In one character, years of anticipation comes crashing down and the good Star Wars name sinks to the Wiggles. The fourth film is actually episode one and begins the back story to fill in the rise and fall and rise of Anakin Skywalker.

5. The Attack of the Clones

Jake the Muss takes his fists of love to a galaxy far, far away as Jango Fett with his army of super Maori fullas. But he fails to slap some sense into the sullen, puberty-struck Anakin, now played by blue-eyed boy Hayden Christensen. Yoda graduates to total CGI allowing fans to finally confirm he has feet as he has a shoot 'em up scrap with Count Dooku. More action than TPM, but it's still rather tedious.

6. Revenge of the Sith

Anakin exits stage left and re-emerges in a brand new black suit as Darth Vader. From early reports this is up there with Ali-Frazier for action, with lots of bang for your buck as the Dark Side cracks its knuckles and gives the Force a bloody nose. Samuel L Jackson gets to go down in a hail of light sabres and Yoda shuffles off to hang out in a swamp. Sadly, he didn't think to take the Ewoks with him.