Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope, 2011.
Directed by Morgan Spurlock.
Featuring Stan Lee, Jos Whedon, Kevin Smith, Eli Roth, Seth Green and a few hundred thousand extras.
SYNOPSIS:
Have you ever imagined a place where Vulcans and Vampires get along? Where Wizards and Wookies can be themselves? …Welcome to Comic-Con San Diego.
Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope arrived on my doormat and seeing as we are a home of Nerds, both wifey Jeanie and eldest daughter Evil Kitty (not her real name) wanted to watch it too. As I knew Mr. Hatch was an aging Nerd like myself I invited him down and so today I give you an across an across the board review. Like a total gentleman I’ll start with my musings…
Vil’s Review (39)
After seeing Trekkies I was about a bit worried about watching Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope, and whether I would be biting the back of my hand as the things I love are ridiculed for the world to see. I can safely say that other than one rather creepy girlfriend – now wife (spoilers) – it isn’t, but unfortunately the film isn’t overly entertaining either.
While it’s informative and interesting for those who have never seen inside a Comic-Con, it comes across more of a promotional video than a film or movie. We follow costume designers, comic strip artists, comic sellers and Con visitors, getting their view and perspective on the event. Their stories play out whilst comic and film big guns (Stan Lee, Kevin Smith, Joss Whedon etc) discuss what Comic-Con means to them. It makes for an okay watch but unless you’re spotted in the film I doubt you’ll have any desire to watch it again. A plus point for me was I didn’t hear Morgan Spurlock once.
Jeanie (21+16)
I don’t mind admitting I was nervous about this film. After the cringeworthy Trekkies I am always wary that documentaries such as this serve no purpose other than to allow mainstream audiences to laugh and play point at the freaks. I shouldn’t have been worried. Yes there were some crazies, yes some of them were bonkers but I actually found the whole thing to be a more affectionate look at the passion and devotion of nerd culture. The film also had some heavyweight names from classic films and comics which made you feel okay about being a part of the madness, so much so that I actually found myself wondering how much it would cost to get there.
Evil Kitty (15)
Before I started to watch this film I wasn’t sure what to expect, as my perspective on people who go to these type of conventions were freaks and odd people, and I thought this film was going to point all of that out and make a joke out of them. Even though there were some crazies there were a lot of regular people there as well. Some people there had costumes that had taken them almost a whole year to create while others had just taken a day, and yet no one criticised them or said anything as they too were part of the madness. I enjoyed this film mainly as it opened my eyes and showed me more than I knew already, although personally I wouldn’t rent it or watch it in the cinemas just because it isn’t my type of film.
Mr. Hatch (37)
Maybe I’ve seen too many Christopher Guest mockumentaries or maybe the subject matter is a bit to surreal but these kind of documentaries just don’t quite sit with me. I enjoyed it but at the same time it holds up an uncomfortable mirror to our my own geek moments! As with most of these type of documentaries, you get to follow a number of people before, during and after the event. They make you root, cringe and mock them in equal amounts.
It was both interesting and sad to see how Comic-Con has changed over the years; the amount of A list celebrities that pop up there to help sell their latest productive proves it won’t be going away anytime soon. Overall, an enjoyable film and a nice insight in to Comic-Con. I won’t be rushing to Manchester Comic-Con but you’ll probably find me in a basement of a hotel flicking through boxes of comics dressed as average middle aged man!
Flickering Myth Rating: Film ★ ★ ★ / Movie ★ ★ ★ ★
Villordsutch is married with kids and pets. He looks like a tubby Viking and enjoys science fiction. Follow him on Twitter.
Originally published June 10, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
