Home Media Magazine - June 15, 2008 - (Page 20) REVIEWS Edited by John Latchem www.homemediamagazine.com I SPACED: THE COMPLETE SERIES Prebook 6/17; Street 7/22 BBC Video, Comedy, $59.98 three-DVD set, NR. Stars Simon Pegg, Jessica Hynes. M Photo Credit: Adult Swim I ROBOT CHICKEN: STAR WARS Prebook 6/17; Street 7/22 Warner, Comedy, $14.97 DVD, NR. Voices of Seth Green, Seth MacFarlane, Breckin Meyer, Malcolm McDowell, Conan O’Brien, Robert Smigel, Ahmed Best, George Lucas. I t can’t be said that “Star Wars” fans don’t appreciate a good parody of their favorite saga. Only a troupe of real fans could assemble something as witty and spot-on as this collection of spoofs from Adult Swim’s “Robot Chicken.” As it is with the regular series, the creators — led by Seth Green, who won an Annie Award for directing it — find their primary inspiration in re-casting the “Star Wars” characters in everyday situations, re-imagining scenes from the film with the mundane moments we don’t see. For example, the Walrus Man who gets his arm cut off by ObiWan Kenobi in the cantina in Episode IV, it is explained, was a simple architect who worked across the street and stopped in for a quick drink while his buddy decided to have a little fun with the fact that no one could understand his alien language. The special has the most fun with the Emperor. As voiced by “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane, Palpatine morphs into a variation of Stewie Griffin — a sarcastic bureaucrat more interested in a good time than the nittygritty details of running the galaxy. In one sketch, he interrupts a meeting to take a phone call from Darth Vader and doesn’t know quite how to react to the news that the Rebels blew up the Death Star. In another, he tries to convince construction workers on the second Death Star (a nod to Clerks) to stop making so much noise while he’s berating Luke Skywalker with his evil voice. Other sketches detail Boba Fett taunting a carbonite-frozen Han Solo, a bizarre Ice Capades adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back, and Darth Vader finally ridding himself of Jar Jar Binks. Behind-the-scenes material dominates the DVD. The sheer number of aborted storyboards and unused audio should make us grateful for what made it into the final show. Most interesting are the glimpses at the lengthy stopmotion animation process, including the creation of the sets and puppets. This DVD is a must-have for fans of “Star Wars” and “Robot Chicken.” – John Latchem y only criticism of “Spaced” is that it lasted for just 14 episodes, leaving its audience wanting more. The British cult comedy, which aired from 1999 to 2001, stars co-creators Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) and Jessica Hynes (Shaun of the Dead) respectively as Tim, a struggling comic book artist, and Daisy, a not-sobudding freelance journalist. The two are twentysomething Londoners who meet in a cafe and develop a friendship as they both search for apartments. They finally find the perfect flat, but it will only be rented to a professional couple … so they pose as a couple to secure it. And thus begins the hilarity. The show has a Seinfeldian quality in that it turns ordinary situations, such as housewarming parties and job interviews, into truly funny comedy as the audience gets to know and grows to love the characters. Fans of the sci-fi and horror genres will appreciate the many references to favorite TV shows and movies, but it is hardly a prerequisite for enjoying the series. Those who enjoy British comedy, or just excellent comedic writing, also will find the show appealing. For those videophiles who enjoy DVD extras, this set does not disappoint. Along with the usual assortment of deleted scenes and outtakes, it includes two commentaries: the original from the first British DVD release with Pegg, Hynes and director Edgar Wright; and a new one with guests Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Bill Hader, Matt Stone, Patton Oswalt and Diablo Cody, all admitted fans of the show. Also included is a Q&A with cast and crew recorded at the National Film Theatre in London October 2007, as well as the feature-length documentary Skip to the End, on how it all began. A particularly fun feature is the HomageO-Meter, an onscreen tracking device for the pop-culture references made in the show. (This may be a helpful feature to viewers who aren’t from Generation X). – Kyra Kudick Photo Credit: © Channel 4 I FINISHING THE GAME Street 6/24 Genius, Comedy, B.O. $0.05 million, $19.95 DVD, NR. Stars James Franco, Roger Fan, Sung Kang, Meredith Scott Lynn, Dustin Nguyen, McCaleb Burnett. W hen Bruce Lee died in 1973 he had completed filming about half of Game of Death. Apparently, the show must go on, so producers sliced up his completed work and hired two doubles to finish the movie. There you have the plot of Finishing the Game. Except in this mockumentary, producers search for one hero to fill the action star’s polyester suit — or at least fool viewers long enough to cash in on the tragedy. Despite the motives and racial overtones involved with the production, there are a host of actors kung-fu fighting for the role, including ‘B’movie Lee knockoff Breeze Loo (Fan), strong-but-slightly-stupid Cole Kim (Kang) and the very white Tarrick Tyler (Burnett). Director Justin Lin (Better Luck Tomorrow, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift) certainly has good intentions and scores a few laughs in this fictional recollection. However, the film whips through what could be a pretty interesting and possibly funnier story, clocking in at 84 minutes. Aside from the large cast, there are plenty of notable cameos, including actress Amy Hill (“That’s So Raven”), porn king Ron Jeremy, “21 Jump Street” alum Dustin Nguyen, and Spider-Man nemesis/sidekick James Franco. Also look for a few minutes of Hammer Time, with former rapper M.C. Hammer in a brief role as manager Roy Thunder. The DVD includes deleted scenes, a music video by Far*East Movement, and endless commentary from writerdirector Lin, co-writer Josh Diamond and composer Brian Tyler. Also, don’t be fooled by one extra’s title, “On Set Mayhem.” This series of mini-featurettes gives a glimpse of the action behind the scenes, as guided by each of the film’s key players. – Rachel Cericola 20 Home Media Magazine June 15–21, 2008 http://www.homemediamagazine.com
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