COMIC-CON 2008: 'Fanboys' Restored

11 Comments »

1. But this victory for fans can be a double edged sword:

   If the film fails, which can still be done via a graveyard release/marketing and that so much money and time was spent trying to “fix” the film, Harvey Weinstein can then claim that he was right all along.

   If it succeeds, Weinstein will still take credit, claiming the bad press was all brilliant hype, and then use the profits to prop up his company without learning any lessons from this experience.

   Comment by Furious D — July 25, 2008 @ 5:12 am

2. People aren’t going to go see Fanboys because of what Harvey Weinstein might or might not do…they’re going to see it for its story, especially if they’re Star Wars / sci-fi fans.

   Whether Fanboys makes big dinero or small, Weinstein’s still a tool for having tried to edit out what he showed to fans at conventions that they clearly had already fallen in love with and were telling other potential audience members about (the Star Wars fan dying of cancer story arc). I happen to agree with the fans that when that arc was removed it made the film into a ‘hey let’s laugh at the fanboys yet again’ romp which is of course insulting to the core audience and killing the film’s word of mouth in the community most likely to support it. So so much for it making money in its grossly altered form.

   That news about Fanboys almost makes me as happy as hearing about the full length print they recently found in Argentina of Fritz Lang’s 1927 silent sci-fi classic Metropolis and how it’s going to be properly restored.

   Film butchery is never a good thing.

   Score one for the rebel alliance and one for a true classic film.

   Comment by VDOVault — July 25, 2008 @ 6:09 am

3. I don’t understand all the conflict over story changes for a movie few have even seen yet. From what I have heard the movie isn’t even that go to begin with. I think this is another example of Snakes on a plane, all hype and no substance. The idea of Kristen bell in a leia bikini does sound appealing, however.

   Comment by Realist — July 25, 2008 @ 7:52 am

4. I have seen a print of the film, (sans the cancer) which did make it have less gravity, but by no means does it make fun of fans….now Star Trek fans is a different story. I have no idea if it will live up to the hype but there is some really fun and funny stuff in the film and deserves to be released theatrically.

   Comment by I've seen it — July 25, 2008 @ 9:09 am

5. i saw like forty minutes of fanboys last year at the star wars con in la. it was pretty lame. yes, kristen bell is cute but it’s strictly amatuer hour as far as the filmaking.

   also, the whole trekki vs sw fans seems really dated.

   and worse, it’s really homophobic. and hey, i love tasteless humor but its just seemed flat an uninspired and kind of mean sprited.

   true, i only saw forty minutes and maybe the final cut is great but i’m not holding my breath.

   Comment by pajamo — July 25, 2008 @ 10:09 am

6. There are two very funny things about this story.

   A) The film isn’t good.

   B) The person who initially suggested they cut the cancer storyline wasn’t Weinstein but someone that most of these fanboys respect and is a bit of a fanboy himself.

   Comment by Kevin — July 25, 2008 @ 10:27 am

7. I attended the midnight sneak preview of Fanboys that screened later that night. Kevin Spacey appeared there to introduce the film, and specifically DID mention Weinstein there.

   He said that it had been a long road, but that in the end Weinstein deserved a lot of credit for “getting it” - i.e. listening to the fans and the movie’s creators, and being willing to change his mind and release the film in its original form.

   It was a very diplomatic way of saying Okay, we won and we’re all friends again, so the demonizing of Harvey can stop now.

   Comment by Caligari — July 25, 2008 @ 11:52 am

8. I heard that the film is poorly shot and required quite a lot of re shoots and editing. What is with the awful wig Kristin Bell is wearing? Looks ridiculous. The whole project (including the script) seems like armatures playing at film making. I vote with Harvey. Call him what you like, but he knows good work and bad work….and he obviously was NOT impressed with this film. He is releasing it through gritted teeth. Should have gone straight to DVD for those who care.

   Comment by Scott — July 25, 2008 @ 1:06 pm

9. Apatow & Steven Brill filmed additional cameos for Fanboys by some of the funniest people around: Bill Hader, Craig Robinson and Danny McBride.

   The fact that anyone is cheering about losing those appearances is ridiculous, especially considering how horrible the actual film is.

   Comment by 40yearoldstitzer — July 25, 2008 @ 2:49 pm

10. I’ve seen the movie.

    It sucks, plain and simple.

    That’s gonna be the punchline to this whole saga.

    Comment by insider — July 25, 2008 @ 8:05 pm

11. In addition to the Fanboys drama, there were some actual awards handed out to some talented amateur filmmakers:

    Best Parody: Star Wars Grindhouse, Don’t Go In The Endor Woods

    Best Comedy: Paraphrase Theater

    Best Creature / Character Makeup: Contract of Evil

    Best Short Subject: The Empire Strikes Back in 60 Seconds

    Best Animation: George Lucas Hip-Hop Awards

    Best Visual Effects: Ryan vs. Dorkman 2

    Audience Choice Award: George Lucas Hip-Hop Awards

    George Lucas Selects Award: Padmé

    Great work, everyone!

    Comment by Another attendee — July 30, 2008 @ 9:05 am

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Leave a comment