As mentioned in previous posts, getting a Star Wars event right can be tricky thing. I mean I don’t want to drag it up again but the event in the R.D.S. to mark Phantoms Menace’s release is just below the time I was circumcised in my chart of ‘Things I wouldn’t do again’. With last year’s concert in the 02 being just a little bit better, I was treating Invasion Dublin in the R.D.S. with the same confidence as successfully navigating an asteroid field (which Paddy Power is giving odds of 3,720 to 1 for, apparently).
However the real difference in Invasion Dublin is the fact that is for fans, by fans. While that dark day in 1999 had a huge bad taste of a heartless cash-in, Invasion Dublin very much wears its heart of its sleeve. Upon first entering the arena you could be mistaken for thinking it’s all a little cheap, if you were expecting a holographic wookiee to come up and kiss you (you weirdo). However that would be a little mean spirited indeed. It is when you realise that this team are spending buckets of their own time and money (one storm trooper costume cost nearly 2,000 euro to make) simply because they want to share their love of a Galaxy far away that it all becomes a little bit special. The crowning glory of the replicas was the A.T.S.T walker, the sheer scale and detail was mind blowing, granted my crowing glory of building was a train in junior cert wood work that got me a B-, but this was beautiful, and sadly not for sale (the scrappage scheme for one would be amazing).
Invasion Dublin also offers a chance to get up close and personal with some of the original cast of the films including Jeremy Bulloch who played Boba Fett, Garrick Hagon who played Biggs and the legend that is, the mighty Kenny Baker. I got a chance to chat to Paul Blake who, playing Greedo, is the man in the middle of the most controversial decision in Star Wars history, which you’ll be happy to hear, he is well aware that he did not shoot first.
Genuinely, I can not rave highly enough about the love that went into putting this event on, as a boy who spent his life lost in references, these guys deserve a pat on the back. Not to mention that the majority of the money will be going to very worthy causes.
Invasion Dublin has one day left of its visit (Monday 24th) and if , like me, you plan to have a rebel Hoth base themed wedding one day, you’ll love it.
More information can be found at www.invasion.ie
