A Review of Fan Boys

June 24, 6:36 PMCleveland Indie Movie ExaminerKenny Carpenter

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Cleveland Indie Movie Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

I had to make a sidestop of my indie reviews to throw in one on a slightly higher independent film level, called "Fan Boys!".  This is a love letter to Star Wars and I watched it twice, mostly because a friend wanted to see it.  Unlike most independent films, this had a bit of a budget (Trigger Street & Weinstein Brothers affiliated) and has lots of cameos all the way from Seth Rogen, Billy Dee Williams, William Shatner, Carrie Fisher, and even Kevin Smith with his most famous sidekick Jason Mewes. 

This won't take too long, but for Star Wars fans, and even Star Trek fans, this movie is a treat.  Not so much for Star Trek fans (portrayed as the worst kind of nerd out of the rival saga groups), but it's the fun and nostalgia that makes this a fun movie, when combined with endless gags, including an Ewok humping that Balls Of Fury lead guy.  The Forgetting Sarah Marshall actress is the girl love interest of one of these Fan Boys, and she's quite fine!  This fan film is definitely a comedy with a heart and since they had a budget, most of their independent bases were covered.  Being that it's a comedy usually bypasses production issues, as well.

While some of this movie dragged a bit, mostly because you are waiting to get inside the George Lucas "headquarters", the gags and charm makes up for it.  Trust me, there are gags!  I'm not sure, but I think Seth Rogen plays 3 roles at least.  One of the ending scenes was redone and improved upon by a cameo, but a deleted scene reveals a different famous cameo take on the same scene.  If you liked Police Academy and From Dusk Till Dawn, you'll love this particular bar scene that ends up in a drug trip.

Truthfully, the movie isn't about substance, although it tries through a cancer situation, nor is it the funniest thing since Jim Carrey, but it is about friendship and Star Wars nerdiness.  Before watching this movie, I started a debate on who would win, Starwars or Startrek in a battle.  This movie had a little of that in it and reminded me of how wonderfully ridiculous we are, but in a good way.  It's worth the rental.  Best, Kenny