Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope (2011)

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General		Extras
Category	Documentary	Interviews-Cast-Extended Interviews Deleted Scenes Theatrical Trailer
Rating
Year Of Production	2011
Running Time	83:00
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Morgan Spurlock
Studio Distributor	Madman Entertainment	Starring	Jeremy Chilnick Morgan Spurlock Joss Whedon Seth Rogen Kevin Smith Seth Green Eli Roth Stan Lee
Case	Alpha-Transparent
RPI	?	Music	None Given

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English Dolby Digital 5.1 (448Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

The San Diego Comic-Con International is a festival of geekdom that means many things to many people. Beginning as a comic book convention in 1970 that drew some 145 people it is now a behemoth, a pop culture extravaganza with an attending audience of over 130,000 devoted fans.

This diversity is perhaps why director Morgan Spurlock decided to do away with his usual humorous "front and centre" style of film (Super Size Me, Pom Wonderful Presents) and concentrate his film on a small group of attendees at this massive convention. The effect is to bring the convention back to what it is all about - the dedicated, sometimes slightly crazy, fans. For history and insight he gathers together a group of Comic-Con luminaries including Joss Whedon, Kevin Smith and many more.

But the film is really all about the fans. To those who've never been to a Comic-con or another pop culture convention this is a place where those who love to embrace the inner or outer geek can feel right at home. There are no jocks just around the corner waiting to stuff you into your locker or give you an Atomic Wedgie. This is a place to be free, be yourself and be appreciated.It can be a surreal event. As Seth Rogen puts it - he knew he was in a strange place when he was taking a leak between a stormtrooper and a Klingon!

Comic-Con is the grand daddy of these conventions. The word "comic" in the title is a nod to the history and identity of the festival. However, a theme of the film is the question of whether comics are still a defining feature of Comic-con. After all, this is a festival where the biggest Hollywood directors come to present often unfinished works in the hope of selling thousands more tickets. The truth probably is that comics are just as popular, if not more, than they've been in the past however the festival itself has taken on a much bigger life.

Morgan Spurlock's film gives equal weight to the comic book side of the convention. Comic book dealer Chuck Rozanski has been coming to Comic-con since the beginning of time. He is a little bit down about the future of his business, which carries some 9 million comic book titles. Thinking this may be the end he puts up for sale his Holy Grail, a copy of Red Raven number 1, that rarest of rare books, which he hopes to sell for $500,000.

Meanwhile two very different graphic artists come to Comic-con to try to break into the illustrating industry. Skip Harvey is a geek from way back who brings his portfolio to town to try to impress a publisher at the very intimidating portfolio review sessions. Soldier Eric Henson just loves to draw. When he leaves his family to travel to the convention it is with the nervous hope of someone who may just be fulfilling a lifetime dream.

No convention would be complete without a cosplay or masquerade sessions where dedicated fans dress up as film, comic, video game, anime and other characters for prizes but more often for personal gratification. Holly Conrad from San Bernardino brings her gang of fellow costume designers to San Diego with a special presentation. Not only is she playing her revered "female Shepherd" from Mass Effect 2 but they have managed to rig up an animatronic head for the character of Grunt. The effect is amazing to watch in preparation but how will it go on the night?

Action figure collector Anthony is primed and ready for the highlight of the Convention - the release of a new and special collectable. But with huge crowds and even huger demands will he be able to get to the front in time to secure the special item?

Finally, fan James Darling has come to Comic-con with his girlfriend Se Young Kang, a year after they first met at the convention. He is here this time with a special purpose - to propose to his beloved at a Kevin Smith Q&A. Things aren't proving too easy though as the very clingy Kang won't let Darling out of her sight. How was he supposed to surreptitiously get the ring, naturally designed around Lord of the Rings?

Comic-Con Episode IV : Fan's Hope spends time looking at the quirky and humorous side of the personalities at the convention. It does so, however, in a loving fashion, celebrating their uniqueness and joy. It has very little in external social analysis of the phenomenon so those looking for a deeper understanding of the geek culture will have to look elsewhere.Even those who haven't been to a convention and don't plan to go to one in the near future will enjoy this entertaining film.

Video

Comic-Con Episode IV : Fan's Hope comes to DVD in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is the same as its cinematic ratio. It is 16×9 enhanced.

The film was shot on high-definition digital. Much of it was shot on-the-fly as the filmmaker followed their subjects through journeys, queues, backstage nerves as well as inside Q&A sessions. It therefore can't be expected for the video transfer to be reference quality. Nevertheless, this is a very pleasing looking film.

There is some video noise about in some of the scenes, particularly those in darkness. However the film is generally bright and clear with the colours quite strong and vibrant. The flesh tones are accurate.

The DVD case promises subtitles in English but I couldn't find them.

There are no real technical issues with the transfer.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
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Audio

Sound for Comic-Con Episode IV : Fan's Hope is provided by way of an English Dolby Digital 5.1 track running at 448 Kb/s.

The film doesn't really require a surround track as the focus is always on the front and centre. Nevertheless the expanded bit rate does give a greater depth to proceedings.

The dialogue is generally clear and easy to understand throughout. On occasions where the camera is following the subjects through crowds the dialogue can be a little bit difficult to catch but, as said, generally it is clear throughout.

There is little for the surround track and sub woofer to do however that is not a criticism of the film.

There are no technical problems with the sound transfer.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Extended interviews

A whole bunch of extra interview material with Stan Lee, Joss Whedon, Kevin Smith, Ellen Page, Joe Quesada, Todd McFarlane, Frank Miller, Grant Morrison and more.

Deleted Scenes

There are five deleted scenes on offer:

Anthony's car breaks down (1.19)

Action figure fan Anthony drives to the Convention in a borrowed Punisher emblazoned black Chevy which breaks down.

Holly looks at Gremlins on show room floor (1.09)

Holly gets inspired by a display of original Gremlins and Alien models.

Holly talks to Costume Designer Guild (2.30)

Holly got an award from the Costume Designer Guild last year.She goes to meet some industry people who talk about the work needed to make it in the industry.

Anthony makes custom action figures (2.05) Anthony has started making his own action figures in his figure lair.

Skip gets reviewed by Phil Hester (2.08) The passionate, sensitive Skip gets real, often tough, feedback.

Theatrical trailer (2.04)

The entertaining trailer for the film.

  The Region 1 DVD apparently has a brief "Making of" featurette however the only review I could find of it suggests that it is underwhelming and all too brief. A toss up but I suggest buy local.

    Comic-Con Episode IV : Fan's Hope isn't a defining film but it does give an interesting insight into the characters who attend Comic-con.

The film looks and sounds fine and has a comprehensive set of extras.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall