(2008 TV Movie)

User Reviews

Review this title
3 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
9/10
Bring Back... Star Wars
jboothmillard15 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
He's done One Hit Wonders, The A-Team and Dallas, but this I have to say sounded the most watchable of the Bring Back programmes Justin Lee Collins has ever done, because so far, it is the only one I have actually seen. He had ten days to try and reunite the cast of the biggest blockbuster trilogy in cinema history, Star Wars. In order he met and interviewed Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett, apparently more popular than anyone else?), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), David Prowse (Darth Vader, in costume) and Warwick David (Wicket, leader of the Ewoks). He couldn't afford Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), he knew Harrison Ford (Han Solo) is a huge star and would be too busy, and I'm surprised he didn't try and find James Earl Jones (Darth Vader, voice), Frank Oz (Yoda) or Ian McDiarmid (The Emperor). In the end, only the people you expected showed up, the bigger people couldn't make it, but a worth while show. Very good!
2 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Another brilliant show from one of TVs best comedy guys - JLC Brings Back Star Wars!
james198710614 September 2008
Just watched this a few moments ago on channel 4 in the UK. Am a big fan of JLC anyway, he's one of the top comedy blokes on TV nowadays along with Alan Carr, and his individual shows are always entertaining but this is by far the best show that he has done outside of the Friday/Sunday Night Project. The Star Wars films are pretty fresh in my mind because it's only within the last few months that I've actually watched the original trilogy the whole way through. They are amazing films with lasting moments and brilliant characters and in Justin Lee Collins' comedy style he manages to track down some of the main cast. Yes there may be only a small selection of the key cast members joining in with the reunion but to get this many together for the show and for cast members to recall their experiences was really revealing and very interesting. It was fun, informative, and great entertainment. I'm eager to see what famous film/show JLC wants to bring back next. I'd love to see him try a James Bond reunion. Imagine that!
2 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
5/10
Not Affording Ford....
Pixielix16 September 2008
Justin Lee Collins - who looks like a young David Bellamy crossed with a Black Country wookie - hosted the latest in his erstwhile series of 'Bring Back...' just to reinforce how moribund a piece of television it is. The format is that he attempts to 'guerrilla interview' celebs connected to a film or TV franchise (previous being 'The A-Team and 'Grange Hill') then persuade the most iconic actors and crew from these productions to reunite in one room. One private function suite in a nightclub or hotel, in fact. Working back through the programme, the fact that the reunited participants don't walk through a smoke-filled archway into a huge audience-filled studio is a missed opportunity. Collins went for Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, as well as the costumed celebs who turn up at the opening of a sci-fi convention first-aid room. The celebs he rounded up, surprise surprise, were only the costumed celebs - the guy who was R2D2, the guy who was an ewok, Dave Prowse AKA Darth Vader (although stunt-men Vic Armstrong and Peter Diamond were in the helmet and cape about as frequently as Prowse ever was and moved/fought better - Lucas' words not mine) Collins is more corpulent and more faking of his trademark 'Dulux Dog in Rutting Season' enthusiasm in this one. Previous shows just had Collins annoy and blackmail celebs to appear at his drearier-than-a-wake "drinky-poo" at the end - this one had his legion of trustafarian runners and gophers gain equal screen time as his "team". Mix in unsubstantiated rumours, gossip and the downright disrespect of celebs who had sense and dignity enough not to pop up at the end reunion and you had a show that left a bittersweet taste in the mouth. What you had were a collection of UK actors who had been the right size and shape for the monster costumes Lucas created at the time of the original movies and simply were not needed anymore. The reunion could have served only to highlight the fact that Prowse had seen better days physically and professionally or that Warwick Davis, the ewok in question, could return to acting only if UK soap-opera 'Eastenders' have an episode where a witch bursts in to the Queen Vic and shrinks Ian Beale - he comes across as a nice guy though, unlike Anthony Daniels who does his aloof reputation amongst fans no good in this. Good idea Channel four - just try harder, better and be more professional next time.
3 out of 8 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed