Saving 'Star Wars'

I took a friend to see this movie with me and as I worked a little behind the scenes I kept nudging her with my elbow saying, "That was filmed at Riley!" or wherever the scene was shot at. I must say it's different watching a movie where you have been behind the scenes.

Lets see, take 4 cups "A Knights Tale", 6 cups "Weekend at Bernie's", 2 cups "Clerks", and 3 cups "Scary Movie" and put all ingredients in a bowl. Blend with mixer until mixture is creamy. (about 40 different strokes, if mixing by hand) Place in a 16:9 silver baking dish and give to writer / director Gary Wood to bake. What you have is an excellent movie that will keep you laughing out loud from start to finish.

A story about a father (Woody) who loves his son that has been stricken with a terminal illness. They both have precious memories of seeing the StarWars movies with each other. His son makes a last request for his father to continue to go see the movies without him and remember him when he does. Woody is dragged to Indianapolis by his best friend (Hank) to a StarWars convention with a goal to talk to George Lucas (played by George Starkey) and get him to never stop making StarWars movies. Along the way Hank winds up, somehow, in the most hilarious scenarios you can imagine and learns what it will truly take to fulfill his son's wish.

Doesn't sound like a comedy you say. Well, that's where the brilliance of Gary Wood comes into play and you'll just have to go see the movie to see how he does it! When the credits hit I couldn't believe that nearly an hour and forty-five minutes had gone by. To me that says it all - See you at the movies !!!

I must preface this review with the fact that I am a life long "Star Wars" fan, costumer, and collector and have seen many so called "fan films". Many of them are a thinly veiled story to propel a light-saber battle. This film was very different. "Saving Star Wars" gives the viewer a REAL story with REAL characters that grab you. You care about them, applaud them, and get a tear in your eye at some points. I laughed hysterically at a great many parts of the film and am still thinking about it days later...which is more than I can say for some of the other "big" films I have seen.

This film is well written, well acted and just plain good. I think it gives a real look at fans who are passionate about "Star Wars" and the impact films have on people's lives....

I LOVED it, I pre-ordered it, and I can't wait to see it again and again!

Just an enjoyable time. Haven't laughed that hard at a movie in a LONG time. The story was good, the actors right on, and the location shooting, throughout Indianapolis, was just incredible. Joe Urban showcased a range of emotions and pulled you right into his character, Woody. Jim Peterson's character, Hank, was the comic relief for the film and boy does Jim have great comic timing. And those facial expressions! How wonderful to see Dave Prowse again after all these years (and without his Darth Vader costume), and able to poke fun at himself and the Star Wars legacy. Jennifer Eichler (aka "The Watson's Girl") does a funny cameo as the stereotypical "dumb blonde". George Starkey looks eerily like George Lucas...great casting there. And finally there was Lee Ann Millen. Wow. Interesting character and those costumes ! Carrie Fisher has NOTHING on this gal!

The inclusion of the Matrix-like characters just added to the comic feel of this fun movie. Go see it now. You won't regret it.

Starwars mockumentaries are as abundant as they are poorly made, unfortunately. Saving Star Wars is no exception. Sandwiched between lack luster cinematography is a meandering plot, amateur acting and just plain goofy dialog (even for a Starwars knockoff). This film is a text book case of a producer with money throwing it at a group of amateurs to make a film. The byproduct is not funny, cannot be taken seriously (even when it wants to) and is not entertaining even to the most rabid Starwars fan (like myself). The film fails technically as well, with poor editing and poor camera work resulting in many out of focus shots, seamed panning and lots of camera bounce. It looks like most of the work was done with a Canon XL-1 or possibly mended together with GL-1 shots as well. Scenes inside the convention center were cast in the dreaded "green" from fluorescent lights, further evidence of poor camera work and lack of gel use. No true "tone" of the film was ever established or maintained.

The occasional bright spots were performances by Jim Peterson as Hank, who becomes more annoying than funny over time, George Starkey as George Lucas, who bears a striking resemblance to Lucas, a confident Lee Ann Millen as Lisa (Princess Lea/Padme) who combined slightly odd/cuteness with toughness (every Starwars fan dream girl) and Scott Sendelweck as Dennis Bayder, who is actually quite capable of better performances. Apollo Bacala is hilarious and effortless as Melvin Lucas and provides the only true belly laughs of the entire film.

Being able to point to the many locales I know of personally and smile and say "hey, they're at so and so..." doesn't make up for the fact that this film falls flat on its face and furthers the notion that the Indy film scene is as pathetic as it is amateur.

i saw this movie at the reshowing on Friday before fantasy in Chesapeake, VA. it needs editing, but Gary wood said he's still editing, so hopefully it will get tightened up. it's a relatively disjointed story of a man (woody) who's son (Taylor) is mortally ill and the son only wants star wars to go on, so his father will always have something to remember him (Taylor) by. the majority of the movie takes place at the star wars celebration, where woody and his childhood friend, hank (my favorite character) want to meet George Lucas to give Lucas a letter from Taylor. the ensuing situations make up the bulk of the movie.there are such weird characters as Dennis badder (a Vader wannabe)agent smith (one of Lucas' guard) Salvatore (a minion of Lucas') Lisa (a great tribute to padme and Leia) i went into it expecting to be more depressed than tickled, but i was wrong. when the movie is funny, it's VERY funny.there are many tips of the hat to such diverse movies as the godfather, airplane, and even star trek (watch for it) it was great to see Dave prowse looking healthy and he has a good ear for comedy and a wonderful deadpan delivery. i recommend this movie to movie buffs, star wars buffs in particular. even most people in fandom should enjoy it.