What is the geekiest thing about you? Can you point out one particular characteristic or interest within your personality that allows you to distinguish it as something others would consider to be socially unacceptable? If so, you are not a fanboy. The geekiest thing about a fan boy is their very title, their definition, their all-encompassing devotion to science fiction and fantasy, their fanatical commitment to a particular aspect of the comic book industry.
In Fanboys, directed by Kyle Newman, it is the characters’ enthusiastic and obsessive attraction to the film trilogy known as Star Wars that influences them to entertain the idea of traveling across America, Kerouac style, breaking into the heavily protected Lucas Ranch, George Lucas’ renowned private recording studio, and obtaining a copy of the not-yet-released Star Wars: Episode I in the year 1998. The infamous anthem of the ’90s, “Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba, opens the movie, setting the tone for hilarious and memorable songs and references of the 1990s littered throughout the film.
This is but one of the welcome surprises within the endearing and refreshing experience that is Fanboys, another of these marvels being the several recognizable cameo appearances by prominent actors and actresses who seemingly clamored to be in such a charming film.
Including the hilarious and unexpected presence of William Shatner, as himself, the emergence of several stars was one of the highlights of the film. It makes up for the inability of a portion of the jokes to resonate with the audience due to minor holes in the otherwise solid script. One of the most interesting sequences within the film included Seth Rogen’s dual roles: Rogen as a Star Trek superfan, or a “Trekkie,” and Rogen as an uncivilized Star Wars superfan, this duality eventually culminating in the two characters’ struggle over the epic rivalry between these two factions. Other appearances include the original Princess Leia from the Star Wars films, Carrie Fischer, the infamous duo of Jay and Silent Bob played by Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, Pineapple Express’ Danny McBride, Joe Lo Truglio and Craig Robinson, SNL’s Will Forte, and countless others.
Fanboys cleverly plays upon the main characters’ obviously awkward physical features in order to accentuate the concept of the film. The four main characters, referred to as Linus, played by Chris Marquette, Windows, played by Jay Baruchel, Hutch, played by Dan Fogler, and their estranged best friend Eric, played by Sam Huntington, embark on their cross-country adventure in pursuit of an opportunity to commit several crimes against the state in order to obtain the privilege of watching the newest Star Wars production in more than a decade, and hilarity ensues.
The expected road trip mishaps fail to overcome the cliché movie norm, but somehow Fanboys is able to pull off this trite plot with new flare, enveloping the audience in an apparent sense of warmth. Ultimately, a film about people who feel so passionately about something so much bigger than themselves is worth watching.
