Fanboys (2008)

Released June 25, 2009

Eric, Linus, Hutch and Windows are Star Wars fans, the kind that dress up as Stormtroopers and argue over whether Luke would still kiss Leia knowing she’s his sister. It’s 1998 and they are in rapture over the imminent release of Episode I. Desperate for another shot of Star Wars opium, they set out to break into the Skywalker Ranch to be the first to see the completed film.

Thus begins a series of loosely connected comedic adventures as they cross the continent in a van that doubles as their Millennium Falcon, complete with a temperamental hyperdrive. There’s an ongoing gag about the rivalry between Star Wars and Star Trek fans and cameos from a half dozen famous actors such as Seth Rogen, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Kevin Smith and an hilarious turn by William Shatner as a mysterious source who provides the boys with blueprints of the Lucasfilm HQ. Fanboy favourite Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) plays Zoe, their friend, fellow fan and voice of sanity.

The film was originally slated for release in 2007, but was delayed by reshoots and an ongoing battle between the filmmakers and the Weinsteins (who produced) over the terminal illness of one of the characters. A fan campaign and Vanity Fair advertisement later and director Kyle Newman won his fight to keep the story close to his original vision. It’s this cut of the film that has been released in cinemas.

Ironically it is this serious story thread that clashes with the in-jokes and slapstick that dominate much of the runtime; it’s hard to have a knob gag and then suddenly be sincere. Nonetheless, Fanboys is lovingly made by fans for fans and is an enjoyable, if indulgent, road-movie.

3/5