CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The force was with Star Wars fan Thursday night, as they flocked to movie theaters across the Chicago-area to be among the first to see the latest installment of the epic series: "The Rise of Skywalker."
And while many fans flocked to giant movie theaters and waited in line to be among the first to see "The Rise of Skywalker", a few dozen fans chose to go to the Glen Art Theatre in Glen Ellyn for a more intimate viewing experience.
Among them was David Dalessandro, of West Chicago, for whom Star Wars has literally been a lifelong tradition.
"I was less than a year old when the original came out, so I have seen all of them," he said. "The original is my all-time favorite movie, out of all the movies I have seen, so I am looking forward to this one. I cannot wait to see it!"
WBBM: What is it about this movie that has you so excited?
"Everything! The force, the lightsabers, battles, stormtroopers, Darth Vader - well not Darth Vader in this one, but you never know."
Similar to Dalessandro, Matt Bettinazzi, of Glen Ellyn, said like most fans, he's literally grown up with Star Wars. He said going to see the latest Star Wars film is as much tradition, as it is entertainment.
And Monlau Kwok, of Lombard, said he was pumped to be among the first to see the latest installment, but his wife Kelly - not so much.
"Because I am a nerd, a huge nerd," he laughed. "That's it, huge nerd, huge Star Wars nerd, so I always have to be the first one to see it. The fear of missing out, I guess. The fear of missing out.
While Kelly said she is "just along for the ride."
WBBM: I mean you don't sound like you are really into Star Wars, though.
"That's true," Kelly said.
WBBM: I mean, are you big into sci-fi, or could you take it, or leave it?
"Take it or leave it," she laughed.
But it sounds like for the Kwoks the force is definitely with them.
Nancy Kreuzer, who grew up in Glen Ellyn, also admitted she is not a big Star Wars fan, but she went to see the movie with her daughter, who is a Star Wars fanatic. She said she had to keep quiet during the film and hold her questions for her daughter until after the performance.
Several of those watching the movie at the Glen Art said they preferred a more intimate setting to watch the latest installment of Star Wars.
