Synopsis ~ Few films have had the same influence on pop culture as Star Wars. Even fewer have the same devoted fan base as the original trilogy. But since the release of George Lucas’s Star Wars prequels – more than 20 years after the original release – some fans have found their ardor cooled into a complicated love-hate relationship with Luke and Leia’s creator.
The People Vs. George Lucas is a hilarious, heartfelt documentary that delves deep into Lucas’s cultural legacy and explores the issues of filmmaking and fanaticism around one of the industry's most famous franchises. The innovative documentary calls on filmmaker and celebrity interviews taken from more than 600 hours of footage to create the world's first digitally democratic feature documentary.
Peppered with extraordinary Star Wars and Indiana Jones recreations lovingly immortalized in song, needlepoint, Claymation and more, the film explores the roles of the fan and the creator in making a worldwide cultural phenomenon.
Running Time: 97 minutes
Rating: NR
Number of Disks: 1
Special Features:
- Audio commentary with director Alexandre O. Philippe, producer/cinematographer Robert Muratore and editor Chad Herschberger
- Poetry slam selects
- Gary Kurtz (Producer, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope & Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back) interview
- George Lucas Raped Our Childhood: song and music video
- The People vs. Star Wars 3D: interviews with Comic-Con attendees
Does the Mona Lisa still belong to Leonardo Da Vinci… or did he give up ownership of it when it was put on display and subsequently adopted by the masses with unrelenting emotion? And if he were still alive today; being the masterpiece’s creator, would he be able to add a moustache to it?
Those who grew up with Star Wars and therefore developed an attachment to the films will be most intrigued by the crux of this 97 minute debate, finally feeling like they’ve – at least in some aspects – been given a proper vehicle for their respective grievances. But although hardcore fans are clearly what makes this doc “stay on target”, director Alexandre O. Philippe affords even casual fans a great deal of accessibility.
The disc extras are fair, but not at all what one would hope for when dealing with such a massive collection of boasted upon footage – more than 600 hours – and though the Philippe/Muratore/Herschberger commentary is commendable, the Gary Kurtz feature dependable and the George Lucas Raped Our Childhood song expendable; because really who wouldn’t like to relive that imagery over and over again, there is still a Death Star sized hole in the quality of extras offered.
So whether you faithfully stood in line at 4am, or you’re ready to hear Lucas once again defend, The People VS George Lucas is a light and lively slice of pride served up fiercely with a conflicted mash of public clash.
Interviews with: George Lucas | Ray Harryhausen | Roger Ebert | Gary Kurtz | David Prowse | Steven Spielberg | Ahmed Best | John Barger
Director: Alexandre O. Philippe
Blu-Ray/DVD Release: October 25, 2011
Genre: Documentary | Comedy
Supporting Cast and more Writers found HERE
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