Alternative to What: "Fanboys" (2009)

Scene from Fanboys

Welcome to Alternative to What: a weekly column that tries to find a great alternative to driving to the multiplexes. Based on releases of that week, the selections will either be thematically related or feature recurring cast and crew. The goal is to help you better understand the diversity of cinema and hopefully find you some favorites while saving a few bucks. At worse, this column will save you money. Expect each installment to come out on Fridays, unless specified. 

THIS WEEK:

Fanboys (2009)

- Alternative To -

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2009)

Today is a major day for a lot of people internationally. Today is the day in which Star Wars returns to the screen after over a decade of absence. To many, the franchise serves more as a beacon of hope and escapism the likes of which other cinema cannot compare to. It's created a subculture that has taken over the world where even layman citizens know who the characters are. In a sense, it would be too easy to say "Just watch other Star Wars movies" for this week's Alternative to What, but that would be a cop out. There has to be a movie that captures the fervor of the culture that has made the films so iconic and beloved. Admittedly, I am not a fan of the franchise. Fantasy films in general don't appeal to me. However, there is something to Fanboys that I feel is inherently key to understanding the phenomenon.

There is some truth to regard: many don't consider it a good movie. It's got nerds who are basically travelling to Skywalker Ranch in 1999 to have their dying friend see The Phantom Menace. It sounds strangely familiar if you paid attention to the news last month. However, the film's problems more lie in studio interference and the desire to make it a raunchy comedy instead of the heartfelt tribute. There's no denying that the film has problems - and may turn off those who think lowbrow humor is bad. However, it's also the one film whose flaws I feel enhance a general attitude about Star Wars culture. Even if the film was a decade on from its source material, it felt prescient to what remains of the culture prior to its Disney resurgence.

If anything, the film is a passionate plea to Star Wars fans with several deep cut references. There's a sense that when the film is actually capable of being truthful, it is about the passion and unity the films provide. As sad as it may seem to those who are more socially adjusted, the idea of a buddy comedy where friends hang out for one singular cause is endearing. Even if many can see the final line ("What if it sucks?") as more of an insult, it provides the irony of passion; the other side in which maybe things don't pan out for the anticipation. It's a fine film that may not best embody Star Wars fandom, but I dare argue that it captures the absurdity of how obsessive the culture can be - including Seth Rogen's Jar Jar Binks tattoo.

There's a good chance that you won't like this recommendation. In fact, the lowbrow humor may be off putting for most, especially since it's dated, even by 2009 standards. However, it does feel like an attempt to capture a phenomenon similar to the past few years, where the return of Star Wars brought out the joy in everyone. When theaters flock today to see it, there will be a sense of closure and the impact of future films won't be there. Not because they're bad, but because there will never be that wait for the next one (presumably) ever again. Disney plans to release them like clockwork. This is the last time that it feels like the start of a big moment in cinema, at least from a Star Wars perspective. I don't choose Fanboys exclusively for being great, but more as a look at a time past before everyone formed negative opinions on the 1999 film. The jokes may not all land, but the loving antagonism adds a certain weight to it.

Of course, you're probably not going to watch it if your deal is to see The Force Awakens. You have likely watched all six of the previous movies (more if you're dedicated). But for those who don't care to do that and better want to understand why anyone likes Star Wars, I'd dare argue that Fanboys isn't a bad use of your time. Even if there's plenty of caricature acting, juvenile humor, and jabs that may seem insulting - it's inevitably a film that was meant to capture a time that was presumably going to be the last major Star Wars event in existence. Now that The Force Awakens is happening, who knows how things will look. What would the Fanboys of 2015 look like? Would there even need to be one? That's an interesting debate for sure.