Film: Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope

Director: Morgan Spurlock
Genre: Documentary
Source: USA (2011)
Rating: PG-13
Location/Format: Hulu Plus
Grade: B-

This is pretty straightforwardly a bit of fan fluff aimed at celebrating the world's largest geek-fest. It's a lot of fun, as Spurlock looks at people who experience the Con in several different ways: the aspiring artists, the costumers, the salesmen, the megafans, a few of the "stars." It's fun, but the title should indicate that it's a very rose-colored look. Though it touches on the growing size and the changing nature of the event (more big budget movies, fewer actual comics) it still spends the majority of its time focusing on the event as a geektopia. And that's ok. Other movies could be made about the sexual politics of Comic-Con, or the economic impact, or the ways it has shaped Hollywood. But Spurlock here is about enjoying the fun.

As someone who's never had a chance to attend Comic-Con, I will say that the documentary made me want to go even more. I'm a comic book nerd, and a movie geek, and all those other things that get free reign at the event (though I can't ever see myself cos-playing), and Spurlock highlights the way Comic-Con has become a venue where everyone who might otherwise be ostracized for those passions can go and celebrate together. That's a cool thing, and one hopes that it will never become so big budget and fancy as to push that element out--a little mainstreaming is good, but we don't want it to go TOO mainstream.

Spurlock does a nice job following "stories" of a few individuals, and I was particularly intrigued by the two artists he followed. To watch people try and get their foot in a very competitive door is a compelling journey, and I wish he had fleshed those out a little more. Similarly, the costume designer's story was intriguing. Perhaps the lesson here is that the Con may be experienced by all walks, but it's most fascinating in the way it allows opportunities for creativity.

The film is a bit of fun candy aimed at a particular audience, but so is Comic-Con. In all, I'd say it's a pretty good attempt at capturing the experience. 

Alternate Film Title: "The Right Amount of Kevin Smith"