Conquerors of the Deep Space In the 70s of the last century, television, radio and newspapers broadcast daily about the anxieties of the Cold War, various scandals and internecine strife, setting the audience on the appropriate alarming way. During this period, a myriad of films of category B appeared, telling about the attack on the cities of giant monsters. All sorts of thrillers and unassuming action movies got into cinemas and did not want to get out of them. Representatives of the old Hollywood school were desperately unwilling to change the worldview of their viewers, creating in the direction in which society was moving. However, the long stagnation had to stop sooner or later, as the hour came for a new formation of filmmakers, which was represented by Steven Spielberg, Brian De Palma and George Lucas. The latter was not just excited by the idea of creating the most extraordinary film about space adventures of all time, but was going to change the very structure of cinema, returning to it neither more nor less, the most that neither is true magic. The project, dubbed Star Wars, took George Lucas several years to complete and many donated nerve cells, but his efforts have borne tangible fruit. Going against public opinion, having managed to convince tough producers of the correctness of his idea and having managed to assemble an impressive team of like-minded dreamers on the set, Lucas managed to break the veil of darkness and proved by his own example that people simply need faith in their own strength, a small miracle and the opportunity to become part of a single mechanism capable of making the future.
When it comes to Star Wars, viewers primarily remember the confrontation between the Jedi and the Sith, but do not forget that the pilots of the Star Fighters of the Galaxy Far, Far away are considered no less than the adepts of the Great Power. Beginning with A New Hope, the very first episode of Star Wars, George Lucas never ceases to pay attention to the heroes whose fight is fought in small fighter jets dissecting dark space distances. It is the pilots who lead the most fierce battles in the Star Wars world and are responsible for destroying the most important targets. Preparing the script sketches of the final battle of “A New Hope”, the director put several squadrons in the center of the story, one of which took Luke Skywalker. Realizing that viewers need to find contact with star fighters who are ready to sacrifice their lives for a good cause, Lucas came up with most pilots original features and gave us an acquaintance with Wedge Antilles, who received his own series of novels in the Expanded Universe.
Through the efforts of writers Michael Stackpol and Aaron Allston, Star Wars fans were able to get acquainted with Tikho Selchu, Hobby Clivian, Wes Ianson and Antilles himself much closer. A series of novels "X-wing", dedicated to the imperishable "Robby Squadron" showed pilots not only as soldiers, but also as simple guys who are not alien to simple human weaknesses. With the release of the Prequel Trilogy, in which the Jedi Order led by Yoda and Mace Windu came to the fore, George Lucas did not abandon epic battles in outer space, showing that in any political environment, in his Galaxy there will always be a place for pilots who can bring no less benefit than the Great Force-trained fighters with lightsabers. As before, watching the confrontations of fighters, led by heroes of flesh and blood, was incredibly interesting. Rapid battles with an uncertain outcome always cause heated debates and discussions among the public. To imagine Star Wars without blaster cannons and negotiations between pilots was simply impossible. And when the cinematic history of the Saga came to an end for a while, the roar of star fighters still did not stop thanks to the enthusiasm of the same computer game manufacturers and grateful fans who made their own independent films based on Lucas’ fantasy.
The popularity of "Star Wars" has such a large-scale character that it simply could not but capture the imagination of viewers in distant Australia. Once watching one of the episodes on the big screen, Australians simply could not help but become fans of this majestic saga. Among them was Paul Dossel, who has a special love for space battles. Paying the most attention to Wedge Antilles and a team of intrepid pilots, Dossel felt that it would not be superfluous to shoot his own short film with a view from the cockpit of fighters and without a somewhat tired hum of lightsabers. Gathering together a team of Star Wars fans like himself, Dossel wrote the script and directed a rather funny tape called Star Wars Fanservice, describing the misadventures of two rebel pilots forced to face the enemy under unforeseen circumstances. Not to say that “Star Wars Fanservice” became very popular among fans, but he still got his audience.
As for the plot itself, it takes place during the Galactic Civil War. Virtually all of the Jedi were exterminated by the Emperor in the execution of Order 66, and the main struggle for freedom and independence fell on simple resistance fighters, among whom were our heroes, the Weasel Leader (Emma von Ryan) and the Weasel Two (Rich Young). Going on an unforeseen combat mission, brave pilots did not expect to meet a threat that is so easy to overcome. However, they realize that the lives of their comrades in arms depend on the success of their venture, so they cannot let the rebels down. Of course, pilots will have a hard time, but do not forget that the Empire never forgives mistakes. Pronyr has the only chance of success, and there is no doubt that they use it clearly for its intended purpose.
Deliberately abandoning the serious tone of the narrative, Paul Dossel presented the flight of his own fantasy in a deliberately comedic way, laughing at the relationship of the pilots, borrowing information for the project both in the films of George Lucas and in numerous novels based on the motives. It is gratifying that he invited amateur actors who understand the essence of history and have a healthy sense of humor who want to have fun, and at the same time enter their names into the glorious ranks of Star Wars fans who do not hesitate to make their own films. A serious, thoughtful viewer will not find anything dramatically deep and extremely meaningful in Star Wars Fanservice, but if you do not mind laughing properly and corny cheering yourself up, then Paul Dossel’s efforts will appeal to you. Especially pleased may not be the most brilliant, but quite decent computer graphics, maintaining the atmosphere of space adventures at the proper level.
In the end, I want to say that Star Wars Fanservice is intended for viewing for all those viewers who are not averse to familiarizing themselves with the adventures of pilots in a frankly comedy sketch. Glad that fans of “Star Wars” do not forget to pay attention to the pilots, because the Jedi and Sith traditionally bathe in the rays of glory, taking most of the attention on themselves So if you do not mind to get your positive emotions and spend critically much precious free time, then “Star Wars Fanservice” can be safely recommended for viewing.
5 out of 10