Fanboys

Tonight we watched the film Fanboys.  It tells the story of a group of Star Wars fanboys who are getting ready to see the release of Star Wars Episode 1 in 1999.  Any of us who are fans of any particular films series, even one starring an oversized, radioactive lizard from Japan can relate to their tale.

The film has plenty of cameos and in-jokes that fans of Star Wars can appreciate.  After looking into the film on IMDB, I learned that it was delayed over and over until it was finally released in a very limited run in a very small number of theaters in February 2009.  Apparently The Weinstein Company and the dire straits of their films' repeated box office results caused them to reshoot several scenes a year and a half after it was complete in an effort to make a film that would appeal to non-genre fans. 

As a result, any buzz for the film was lost.  Petitions and protests were organized asking that the film not be recut or changed from the original vision of director Kyle Newman.  After all the delays, any buzz that remained was gone.  When it's theatrical run finished, it grossed just over six hundred thousand dollars.

We enjoyed the movie a lot.  There are some very funny scenes.  The cameos work very well and the characters are well developed and reminded me of the many friends I've met through conventions and comic stores over the years.  While not a perfect film, it is made by people who respect the subject matter.  For that reason, anyone who has seen Star Wars, has been to a comic convention or a comic store should see this film.

I give Fanboys three Billys.