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

Let's be realistic.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Review: This is a great documentary about the Comic-Con event which bring all types of people together, all for the love of the comic book heroes and games. You really do see how important this comic event is too people and how seriously it is taken. You get to see interviews with the great Stan Lee and actors like Seth Rogen and Kevin Smith. As I'm not that big into comics, I didn't know a lot of the other people who are famous in that world, but you can see that they take there art seriously and that the convention really opens doors for people who want to make it in that business. You also get to follow a couple of up and coming artists who try and sell themselves at the convention and a guy who is trying to sell some rare comics. In all, it's a great insight into a world that I never new existed. Great Watch!Round-Up: This film did make me want to go to the event, just for the experience and the stars that preview there movies. From the costumes to the various items that are on sale, there is something for everyone, but it's mainly for comic fanatics. I couldn't believe that a man was trying to sell a rare comic for $500,000. Anyway, the director done well with mixing up the documentary with a mixture of elements. From a marriage proposal to a girl trying to win a competition with her costumes, it really is one of those movies were you wish you was there. Judging by the amount of money that the comic book hero movies are making nowadays, it obvious that were never too old for a super hero saving the world.Budget: $1.5million Worldwide Gross: $35,000 (Deserved More!)I recommend this documentary to people who are into there comic book heroes and video games. 6/10

I thought this film was well-made, using an interview format to tell the real story about Comicon. I actually went to the 2010 show that Spurlock used to document SDCC and I was surprised to see myself in the photo pit with others shooting the Mass Effect cosplayers. Maybe I should get a residual.The film follows some fans and their stories, what their goals are for the con and a nice wrap-up with what they actually achieved. I especially liked James and his girlfriend as he prepared to propose marriage to her at the Kevin Smith panel. Very funny, especially when she makes the remark "I hope James doesn't ask any stupid questions." Indeed.The clips from fans and actors was cool as well. The Kevin Smith F-bombs at the end though, I could have done without.I've been following Mile High Comics outspoken owner Chuck Rozanski for some time, since he used to write for the now defunct Comic Buyers' Guide. His insight into the comics business and getting in a free plug for Mile High was a smart business move getting it all on film. Chuck is not totally correct that San Diego is not focused on comics.They are right though that comics have fallen to a secondary status with the A-List stars and Hollywood's impact on the show.To have to show dial down a bit to two shows has been proposed, aka Anaheim and San Diego. Another alternative was for the Hollywood end to go to Los Angeles.Film is recommended and very cheap on Amazon Instant Video, only 99 cents to rent!

The transformation of San Diego's Comic-Con International is fascinating. What was once a small comic-book convention intended to connect comic creators with their fans has evolved into an annual celebration of geek culture that validates and rewards those who have dived deeper into the pop-culture pool than most.What Morgan Spurlock has done with "Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope" is essentially to re-validate Comic-Con, only with the big picture in mind. He and the film's many producers have crafted a love letter to this convention, one clearly born from their inner-geek's own longing to capture what the Con has become.As such, it's hard to say how much an "outsider" to geek culture would even care about what happens at Comic-Con and consequently this film. It does take a certain predisposition to care about the subjects of the movie, namely to accept their obsessions with comics/gaming/movies and in some cases their dreams and aspirations to make the leap from fandom to professionalism. Anyone who can relate even the slightest bit to that notion, however, will enjoy the film.The best choice Spurlock and co-writers Jeremy Chilnick and Joss Whedon (yes, that Joss Whedon) make for this documentary is to come at the Con from every possible angle. They have found a diverse group of subjects that as a whole manage to embody every type or person or personality who passionately seeks out Comic-Con each year.The chosen subjects consist of two aspiring comic book artists hoping to get valuable feedback and perhaps even a job offer from the major names in the business; a young woman hoping her costumes featuring Mass Effect video game characters will grab some attention; a long-time comic book collector and vendor contending with the shriveling devotion to comics at the convention created specifically for them; a young man who hopes to propose to his girlfriend whom he met at Comic-Con the year before.Some of these subjects aren't even likable people, but there's something that even someone who's only part geek will connect with in each of them. They are dreamers, and they all embrace the kid inside without any trepidation, and anyone who does that or yearns to do that more often will be caught up in these stories.Peppered into these narratives are testimonials from various celebrities or annual Comic-Con personalities. While they lend an authoritative voice to the documentary, their words and thoughts feel remarkably more hollow in comparison to the people whose stories are being told. Even if they are genuine, they feel like a forced means of guiding the documentary from chapter to chapter.And then there's the fact that it's not exactly poignant. The end note is that Comic-Con is a place where everyone can let their geek flag fly, a point that becomes evident minutes into the movie. The only challenging question that the documentary raises is whether Comic-Con has "sold out," yet that's not the emphasis of the film. Documentaries are supposed to push boundaries and ask tough questions, but "Comic-Con: Episode IV" was created similar to how a middle school student chooses a research topic — because the subject is something he loves, not because he has some provocative thesis he's dying to test.Setting aside those pre-teen motivations for making the film in the first place, "Comic-Con: Episode IV" is exceptionally well made for what it is — a celebration of geek culture and the dreamer's mentality.~Steven CThanks for reading! Visit moviemusereviews.com

I had heard of comic-con before but never really understood what went on there. I was a huge comic book fan (X-men, Tales from the Crypt and Archie, etc.) but I really did not think that they were still all that popular, especially with the all the electronic gadgets that are out today. As the film illustrated, there are still folks out there that love to draw action figures (my brother being one of them) and are looking to break into the comic book industry. The two gentlemen depicted in this film are adamant about the opportunity to show the portfolios of their art and this film takes us with them on their journey on trying to get there and get someone to look at their work and hire them. I actually started to feel sorry for one of the guys because he was really heart-broken and I felt his pain. The film also showed other aspects of the convention like what goes into actually making some of the costumes that are showcased and what the sales folks have to compete with trying to sell their books in an electronic age. I enjoyed the film about the inter-working of the convention that is held in San Diego annually; I just had no idea that so many people attended and how many geeks (me being one) are actually left in this world. Emma and I are planning on attending the one that will be held here in Irving, Texas next month. That should make for some interesting pictures (smile). If you are a lover of comic books, action heroes and all related stuff, this would be an excellent film for you to experience.