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Hi! For those of you who don't know me, the name's Talon Karrde, information broker. Okay, so that's not my real name, but information IS my
game! Star Wars information that is. Ever since 1977, when my dad brought me to see the original Star Wars movie at the RKO Movie Theater in The Bronx, I've been hooked! I've seen the movies so many times; I can recite the lines from memory. I'm what you would call a Star Wars fan, but I'm not a fanatic. In other words, I have two cats and neither of them are named after characters in the movie. As a fan, I read the books, comics, magazines, etc. and I collect. Like most fans, I can't afford to be a fanatic. Star Wars collecting can be a severely expensive hobby. So, I pick and choose my collectibles. Like all Star Wars fans, I'd love to have a source that would let me know whether or not it would be worth spending money on certain Star Wars items. To that end, I have decided to impart my vast knowledge of Star Wars collectibles, memorabilia, books, comics, cards, games - you name it, I'll review it!
After the release of Star Wars, fans began to re-enact the movie with toys or costumes. Kids could be seen running through the streets with Wiffle bats and capes, recreating the climactic duel between Darth Vader and Obi-wan Kenobi. On a family trips, my brother and I sat in the back seat of our car, pretending we were Luke Skywalker and Han Solo in the Millennium Falcon, off to save the world from the Imperials. Some people began to video tape their re-enactments. As time went on, the videotaped scenes became more elaborate, with people wearing costumes, special effects, and more. The new videos became more imaginative, depicting scenes never seen in the original movies. Many tapes were parodies of the original movies. With the release of a new series of Star Wars novels in the 1990's, Star Wars fans became fascinated with the characters in the expanded universe and included them in their films.
Star Wars fan films were once an underground thing, passing from fan to fan, but never actually making the video stores. However, as the films began to circulate, along with the popularity of the Internet, all has begun to change.
After the release of the Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition, Star Wars fan, Kevin Rubio, created a 10-minute parody called Troops. This film, presented in the format of the hit TV show, COPS, seeks to explain the deaths of the Jawas, Aunt Beru, and Uncle Owen from the Stormtroopers' point of view. The film opens with the COPS theme song, Bad Boys playing in the background as we watch stormtroopers at work on Tatooine. The film was created on a $1200 budget and has become a cult classic, snaring such fans as Mark Hamill, and even George Lucas. I'd heard nothing but good reviews about Troops and was finally able to purchase a copy at a sci-fi convention. It's hysterical. Watching the Stormtroopers respond to calls while talking about their jobs in true COPS style is hilarious. Although only 10 minutes long, it's a great addition to a Star Wars fan's collection! Depending on where you find the video, you may be able to get more for your money: The copy I bought included Troops, Hardware Wars, and the Episode I trailer.
Hardware Wars, by Ernie Fosselius, has long been hyped as a terrific fan film parody. For it's time (made shortly after Star Wars), it is pretty decent. Being released in the late 70's / early 80's, the visual effects are not too spectacular. The film in itself reminds me of the Saturday Night Live parody skits of the '70's. The fan film's space battles are depicted by ordinary household appliances, such as irons, toasters, and egg beaters. Several scenes from the original movie are enacted in Spaceballs style. In a word, I would rate it cute, but not exactly worth spending money on.
One of the best Star Wars fan films I have ever seen is The Dark Redemption by Peter Mether, Dwight Boniecki, and William Duxberry. The 35-minute film is set two days before Star Wars: A New Hope. It features expanded universe fan favorite, Mara Jade, also known as the Emperor's Hand. Mara Jade, working with Kyle Katarn and two other rebels, has managed to steal the plans to the newly built Death Star. Can the rebels get the plans to the leaders of the Rebellion in time? Find out in this surprisingly well-made action packed video. Yes, as with all fan films, some of the interaction is a bit cheesy, but Mara Jade fans will absolutely love Leah McLeod's portrayal of the force-sensitive apprentice. And Boba Fett fans will be happy to know that he has quite a role in this film as well. This is a definite must-have for all Star Wars fans!
So, in short: You won't be missing much by missing out on Hardware Wars, but run, don't walk, to see Troops and The Dark Redemption. Where can you get a hold of these videos? Your local sci-fi convention is a good place to start. You can also find these films online. I recommend visiting the fan film section at TheForce.net.
Send your comments and or questions about this article to Bandwidth@ybfree.com. MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!!!