If ever there was a movie for us nerds, this would be it. As you all know, we stand by the slogan, “Han shot first” pretty religiously around here. And that is one of the points of interest in this highly entertaining and informative documentary that is all about how people feel about the Star Wars saga, both good and bad.
If ever there was a movie for us nerds, this would be it. As you all know, we stand by the slogan, “Han shot first” pretty religiously around here. And that is one of the points of interest in this highly entertaining and informative documentary that is all about how people feel about the Star Wars saga, both good and bad.
Through various archive footage, interviews, and fan created footage, this documentary, The People vs. George Lucas, essentially puts said film maker on trial for what most of us call an affront to everything we hold dear about Star Wars, and the integrity of an entire genre.
This documentary will turn most of us into crazed screaming fanatics either desperately agreeing with, or vehemently accusing, the movie screen of its’ Star Wars heresy. Yes, nearly every Star Wars nerd on Earth or Tatooine will surely be expressing themselves vocally in this film. I said it twice just to make sure you got it. 🙂
The film is broken down in chapters, as it should be. It starts by some George Lucas bio stuff, which is great to put things into perspective, especially in regards to his early films, his attitude toward Studios, and his creative vision, and of course so we can see where he eventually went off the rails. Then of course, we get to Star Wars itself. There’s a lot of interesting information about the making of that film and you get some of that here. Then it jumps up to the second trilogy, which is really the first three, which shall not be named here.
And as much as they talk about Lucas, this documentary is really all about the fans. And you’ll meet lots of them, and you’ll meet their opinions, too. Their opinions are actually like characters in themselves, they are so vivid and strong. And they are familiar, too, becuase just about everyone I know shares the same opinions. C’mon, we all know how we feel about Jar Jar Stinks -uh, Binks. We all know how we feel about metachlorians, the socio-economic blabbity-blab of The Phantom Menace, and the painfully silly first word of a shiney new Darth Vader.
All of this and more are discussed here, and more. And we get to hear from fans of all ilk. Neil Gaimen, David Brin, Chris Gore, David Prowse, Gary Kurtz, and yes, even George Lucas himself, are among those interviewed at various points. Well, ok, some of it is archive footage, but still, it’s all pertinant stuff. And there’s a lot of fan stuff out there. Like, fans went so far as the make their own edits of episodes I – III. When your fans make your films better, it’s time to take a long look at what you’re doing.
Now, if you’re thinking it’s ALL Lucas bashing, well, you’re kinda right. Interestingly though, this film actually bothers to take a look at certain things that might explain some of the reasoning behind George’s actions. Also, there is some time spent on the small faction of people that actually LIKE parts I, II, and III of the series. Clearly these people are insane, but well, apparently it’s inappropriate to make fun of the mentally challenged, so you can just hear about that in the film.
And don’t think they left out discussing Indiana Jones 4, because it’s here, too. And of course they discuss all the remasters and the changes and everything else that makes us crazy about Mr. Lucas. They catch him in his lies and paint the pictutre that he is the very thing he once said he would never be: a corporate monster. But you know, you see the film and make your own decision. Right? Riiiight. WINK.
This is a great documentary and loads of fun. I laughed often. This is kind of a no-brainer for us, but luckily not only is it right up our alley in subject matter, but it’s insightful, funny and smart. This is easily 4 kittenhands, if not 4 1/2.
~ Neil T. Weakley, your average movie-goer, still not really acknowledging Episodes I – III. Nope.
