I have never not laughed so much since I saw “Gone Fishin'” and that says a lot. I was dying to see “Fanboys” ever since I met eyes with the theatrical trailer and whether or not it was because of the constant recuts or my sky high anticipation, “Fanboys” suffers from mediocrity. Sure it’s not a bad movie but it’s not a particularly good one because every joke and every single “Star Wars” reference falls like a flat football and falls hard. The war between Trekkies and Warsies, debating on Boba Fett, discussing the connection between Luke and Leia as a romantic couple it’s all here and can I get a giant yawn? Because none of it is ground that hasn’t been treaded by a million fans before and beyond but “Fanboys” attempts to corner the market and use it as a buffer for the comedy that is never really all that funny.
Sure the occasional one liner drifts with mild grins of hope, but this all just feels like a big leap to imitate an already doofusy Wars fan Kevin Smith. This is the Askewniverse minus the style. The character development is broad and based around a blunt brevity that seems to want to surpass any characterization for reasons that are never established. Some characters are mad at each other for turning their backs on the fandom, others are still little boys stuck with their toys and we move on without every making sure to give the audience a cast of characters who are human beneath their love for Lucas’s films. “Fanboys” never clearly verifies what the intent behind the whole trek to the Lucas Ranch is. Are we supposed to sympathize with these fans of the “Star Wars” films or are we supposed to be laughing at them?
Furthermore why are the Trekkies lampooned clearly and simply while the character motivations in the principle cast are altogether hazy? Even with a tired cameo by Seth Rogen as a cliche Trek fan, the entire debate/battle is a debacle that draws zero laughs at all times. And do I even have to mention the awful masturbatory guest spot from a Harry Knowles look alike who proceeds to rip up any and all hopes for the movie? Kyle Newman’s ode to fanboys is almost the antithesis to the proper fanboy film and I shall continue awaiting a movie that does the notion of fanaticism some form of justice. “Fanboys” simply wasn’t an enjoyable experience, and when Kristen Bell can’t sway me from a negative review, then that’s speaking waves about the quality or lack thereof in this wannabe nerdgasm. It’s fun to see Kristen Bell as Slave Leia it’s just a shame that “Fanboys” is one of the least entertaining odes to fanaticism I’ve ever seen. Not a single laugh to be had except on the characters for sitting through “The Phantom Menace.”