DECATUR - A long time ago at the old Rogers Theatre, another "Star Wars" fan was born.

Star Wars Quiz

Shawn Becker fondly remembers viewing George Lucas' space epic on the big screen in Decatur 30 years ago.

"To me, it's more than a cultural phenomenon," said Becker, of Decatur. "When I think back to that May of 1977, there were seven siblings running through a huge house.

"That's what I think of - how much simpler everything was. It takes me back to my childhood."

"Star Wars" turns 30 this month, and hardcore fans are eager as ever to celebrate three decades of the Force.

The movie initially opened in just 32 theaters across the country but soon exploded into a cultural and marketing, well, force.

The movie "Star Wars" was released in 1977 and was followed in the 1980s by "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi."

In recent years, George Lucas has released the so-called "prequels," three movies that tell the back-story of how a young Jedi knight named Anakin Skywalker transformed into the black-masked menace known as Darth Vader.

The six-movie saga tells the tale of the rise, fall and ultimate redemption of Skywalker, thanks in no small part to the heroic efforts of his son, Luke.

Becker was six years old when he watched the original "Star Wars," which is now referred to as Episode IV.

When the prequel movie "Phantom Menace" was released in 1999, Becker took his six-year-old son, Kase, to see it.

"Gosh, here I am a father, and I took my own son to see it," Becker recalls thinking.

Lori Antal of Decatur fondly remembers watching the first "Star Wars" movie as a child about 30 years ago.

Now she enjoys watching the series with her 10-year-old daughter, Sicilia.

"Although it's an escape to a galaxy far, far away, it feels so close to home, which is why it is so accessible to so many ages," Antal said.

Star Wars is very close to home for Sicilia.

Her room is decorated with posters, toys, and life-sized cardboard representations of favorite Star Wars characters.

Jacques Nuzzo is program director for the Illinois Raptor Center in Illinois, and he has named several of the birds at the center after Star Wars characters.

Nuzzo credits a childhood interest in Star Wars and science fiction for spurring a lifelong fascination with science.

"In my job, you cannot appreciate nature without appreciating the galaxy that we live in," Nuzzo said. "Science fiction is a great way to imagine things that can be happening. It's so darned complicated, when you're talking about the distance of stars and the weight of black holes. It's nature in its rawest form."

So why does "Star Wars" inspire after three decades?

"Hope," Nuzzo replied. "We're not the nicest species on the planet, but we do have hope. Sometimes you have to be reminded that we have hope."

Lori Antal added: "I believe in good over evil. And to me, it's just the ultimate story of not giving up, not giving in to evil."

Graphic novels that celebrate the 30th anniversary of Star Wars continue to sell quickly, said Jerry Hinkle, manager of Capital Comics and Games in Decatur.

Big box stores also are expected to stock up on 30th anniversary Star Wars toys.

Like many fans, Hinkle plans to watch the original trilogy of movies to celebrate three decades of Star Wars.

No matter how many times fans watch Star Wars, they still are transported, if for a few hours, to a happier place.

Hinkle says the very beginning of the movies can be especially powerful.

A black screen declares "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away?"

The Star Wars theme song then screams across the speakers as the space saga begins.

"In that first 15 seconds, you're a kid again," Hinkle said.

Mike Frazier can be reached at mfrazier@herald-review.com or 421-7985.