Admitting my bias, I am a big Star Wars fan and had been anxiously waiting the movie release since seeing a preview at ComicCon. The movie did not disappoint and had the family (boys at least) laughing harder than anything else I can remember. Some of the jokes are mature and maybe too vulgar for some. The number of inside references and "for fans only" jokes makes it fun. The guest appearances by Star Wars legends also adds to the experience. The best part is the humor is in support of a story beyond a throw away comedy with a compelling conclusion.
Beyond the superbly blended cast is a heart-warming yet laugh out loud story of a group of twenty-something friends who have wanted one thing for years: to break into George Lucas's Skywalker Ranch and steal a copy of Phantom Menace before its release. Anyone in the sci-fi community can tell you that this release was HIGHLY anticipated, and executing this plan would have been akin to an Arthurian knight finding the Holy Grail. Watching the crew band together and embark on this perilous mission reminds me of, oh, I don't know, the crew from Star Wars minus the midget they should have had for Yoda perhaps? Although, it's a bit of a stretch to paint Kristen Bell as an obsessive Star Wars, sci-fi fan who dresses up as Leia and waits in line for the premiere of Phantom Menace; there can only be a handful of girls like that in the world.
For Star Wars and Star Trek fans (i.e. Trekkies or Trekkers, choose one), this movie is saturated with references, superb cameos, trivia, and enough "insider" moments to impress the true fanboys. If you waited in line to see the Phantom Menace and you haven't seen this, you're doing yourself a big disservice (they debate the inherently incestuous relationship between Luke and Leia). If you're just a random sci-fi fan and you haven't seen this, I highly recommend it. Even average movie fans should laugh enough to make this enjoyable.
Jason ElinSynopsis: Who in their right minds would concoct an insane plan like to drive across country to the estate of the great George Lucas, sneak in and spirit away with a copy of his soon to be released film Star Wars: Episode 1? It sounds like an idea that maybe a group of eight year olds would come doesn't it. That is if they could drive. Unfortunately this hair-brained plan is devised by 5 lifelong sci-fi, comic book fans who happened to be old enough to drive and stupid enough to attempt to do it. As the road unfolds before them, along with an endless series of insane encounters and unpredictable mishaps they experience along the way, their road trip begins to evolve into an epic quest for redemption and an unforgettable rite of passage that none will ever forget.
Critique: I didn't expect much from this film. I wasn't looking forward to wasting my time watching another dime a dozen crazy teenage road trip, low brow humor film. Well..., I was wrong. `Fanboy' is a well thought out, clever, immensely funny film is not only enjoyable on the initial viewing but will stand up well to the repeatability factor. I loved the cast, specially Kristen Bell (yes that's right, Kristen Bell) and Dan Fogler. Plenty of great cameos too! It certainly isn't Shakespeare but it sure is good for a lot of laughs.
Read Best Reviews of Fanboys (2008) Here
Four twenty-something childhood friends with a shared obsession for the greatest movie trilogy of all-time (Star Wars, for the clueless), reunite for the ultimate mission: To travel cross-country to George Lucas's Skywalker Ranch and steal a rough cut of "Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace" to view months before its official release. There's an honorable cause driving their madness though, as the group's most heartfelt member, Linus, is terminal with cancer and may not live to see the film otherwise. Together with rambunctious scoundrel Hutch (who drives a Star Wars fan's dream-van) and uber-nerd Windows, Linus and his "straying from the Force" best-friend, Eric, set out on the trip of a lifetime in search of their own, personal Death Star.As the motley crew of rebels makes its way on the open road, naturally, they have a series of mishaps and misadventures. (*Mild Spoilers*) Their distaste for Trekkies leads them to a confrontation at a Captain Kirk statue dedication in Iowa. Soon after, they accidentally stumble into the wrong biker bar, have a strange experience with some marijuana-laced guacamole, Windows finally meets his internet dreamgirl, and an encounter with Harry Knowles of "Ain't It Cool News" sends them to Vegas for a secret meeting with a Skywalker Ranch insider, but not before they land themselves in jail and have to get bailed out by the comic shop hottie with a crush on one of the guys. Of course, it all leads up to one crazy infiltration attempt on Skywalker Ranch and a very touching finale.
So, that's the story of "Fanboys", quite simply, a film made for lovers of all-things Star Wars. Trekkies, beware; while this film may have some moments you'd enjoy, it definitely mocks the Trek. If you don't have a good sense of humor or acknowledge the fact that Star Wars is superior, you may just want to pick up a copy of "Free Enterprise" instead. Great film, but it's the Trek version of "Fanboys". "Free Enterprise" is more original and intellectual, and I love it because it goes beyond just Trek, but I gotta say, as a diehard, lifelong Star Wars fanatic, it made me anxious for something like "Fanboys" to come along.
Of course, "Fanboys" isn't perfect. The road-trip mission plot is anything but new, and the weak spots are some of those aforementioned misadventures. Two in particular come to mind. The gay biker bar bit seemed uninspired, though I liked the parallel with the Mos Eisley Cantina, and all the stuff right after that involving "The Chief" seemed rushed and awkward (don't get me wrong, who doesn't love Danny Trejo?). In general, there were times of missed opportunities to make things just a bit funnier. On the upside though, the film is still wholly enjoyable thanks to all the clever things that are included, mostly being Star Wars references, terrific cameos, and the humor of having a pop-culture obsession, thankfully treated here with total respect; something else that makes this a great film. "Fanboys" also has a great cast of rising stars, with Chris Marquette of "Just Friends" and "Race to Witch Mountain" as Linus, Sam Huntington of "Not Another Teen Movie" and "Superman Returns" as Eric, Dan Fogler from "Balls of Fury" as Hutch, Jay Baruchel of "Tropic Thunder" as Windows, Seth Rogan in multiple and hilarious roles, and the gorgeously stunning as always Kristen Bell as Zoe, the feisty comic shop princess. And, yes, girls like that do exist. There isn't one at my local comic shop, but I've seen them working the shop booths at Wizard World Texas(R.I.P.). I'll always remember a particularly cute one I saw the past two years from a comic shop in Plano. Though, I don't buy the filmmakers' implication that girls like that go unnoticed by the geeks around them because their interests make them "one of the guys". Nah, those girls are usually dating one of the comic shop employees, that's the problem, but I digress...
Yes, as I mentioned, one of the things that makes "Fanboys" great is that it treats the fans with respect (of course, that's what some critics seem to have had a problem with). It even cleverly handles the whole controversy of Episode 1 being... not good. Which is not my own opinion, just a seemingly popular one. In addition, the plot point of Linus's terminal condition adds a great depth to the whole thing that was nearly lost. Apparently, executive producer Harvey Weinstein wanted that left on the cutting room floor. Thank the Force that didn't happen. Fascinating that Director Kyle Newman seems to have gotten a taste of the very Dark Side George Lucas himself grew disgusted of having to deal with in Hollywood. And, before I forget to mention it, another very clever aspect of the film are the parallels with the Star Wars saga and its characters. It's not simple or overly in your face, thank goodness, as the characters even trade roles sometimes in terms of the parallels. Though, there's no question who Princess Leia is, and it's a shame she wears the gold bikini so briefly...
The DVD of "Fanboys" (currently, unfortunately, frustratingly, inexplicably not available on Blu in the U.S. at the time of this review) presents the film in widescreen with a PG-13 rating. It's nice to see a modern, 20-something roadtrip movie with a PG-13 rating, and I'm especially glad since Star Wars appeals to a wide age-range. Though, in all honesty, the PG-13 rating is misused these days. The crude humor (at least some of which I hear was producer-demanded in this case, though it's thankfully not excessive) is not something I'd call appropriate for 13 year-olds, ha. If memory serves, the PG-13 rating was created to deal more with violence than sexual and drug references, but now it seems to allow a very inappropriate amount of said material under its mantle. For such content, PG-15 or 16 would make more sense. But, hey, I don't really care that much, as I'm not a teen nor a parent. I just find it an interestingly disturbing thing what is officially considered acceptable for 13 year-olds these days. I prefer to avoid the whole issue and get "unrated" versions myself when available, ha. That way, it doesn't matter what your age is. Anyway, the DVD serves up a nice little collection of extras. We get deleted scenes (including the cut William Katt cameo; I wonder why they reshot that), a very entertaining and enlightening cast and crew commentary, a handful of behind the scenes featurettes and some behind-the-scenes webisodes as well. It's a shame they didn't try to get Lucas to let them put the Star Wars Holiday Special on there too.
So, I guess that's about it. "Fanboys" is not perfect, but it's still definitely great overall and thoroughly appreciated by myself and I suspect legions of others. However, if you're not a Star Wars fan, it might not do anything for you at all. It's probably not totally crucial to enjoyment of the film, but it certainly must help greatly. If you ARE a Star Wars fan though, definitely get this film. It's a MUST OWN!This movie sums up what it is to be a Star Wars fan. Get off my land, Trekkies!
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