David O'ConnellFamily Guy: Blue Harvest
September 26th 2008 02:56
A short movie of sorts, this homage to Star Wars from Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane and his team is a funny take on George Lucas’ original story. Though not as finely honed as some of the show’s classic episodes in their shorter form, this 50-minute romp still provides a high quota of laughs.
The story opens at home with a blackout leaving the Griffin family with nothing to do, as reliant as their tiny minds are on technology. Father Peter decides to treat them all to a re-telling of the Star Wars saga after Brian’s suggestion of lighting candles and reading books is laughed off.
We then launch into an abbreviated version of Episode 4, with the Griffins and the rest of the Quahog community filling the roles, most notably Peter as Han Solo, son Chris as Luke Skywalker, Brian as Chewbacca, and Stewie as a one-foot tall Darth Vader.
The laughs come at a steady pace and there are plenty of in-jokes and references to the Star Wars franchise that possibly only hard-core fans will appreciate (I must admit to not being one of them!)
There are plenty of other memorable moments however such as Luke stopping the action to introduce John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra. (Regular composer for the show Walter Murphy does a brilliant job of recreating many of the iconic themes Williams created for the films.)
There’s a funny moment later on when Luke comes upon a wreck with John Williams inside and bemoans the fact that they’re now going to have to complete the "rest of this thing" with Danny Elfman, who appears leading the LSO through a distinctly Elfman-esque cue, only to be swiftly decapitated by Luke’s light saber!
Doctor Who and his freaky theme soon appear as they travel into hyperspace, and when their ship enters the asteroid field later on it’s into a version of the 80’s Asteroid videogame!
A musical number near the end with Obi-Wan, played by Quahog's resident pedophile Herbert, singing The Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing to the object of his lust in Luke, is bizarre but works for some strange reason in its pure audaciousness.
The elevator-music version of Darth Vader’s theme is a classic moment too, along with Han Solo hanging from the ship in outer space from a pilfered couch wedged in the open doorway.
MacFarlane is obviously a long-time Star Wars geek which shows in his one-on-one interview with George Lucas on the dvd’s extras; this homage episode was a long-time in the planning and there are a number of famous cameos littered throughout.
Rabid devotees of the show won’t rate it as highly but it certainly kept me amused throughout, even as weak as I am in spotting the more clever moments of loving pastiche.
The story opens at home with a blackout leaving the Griffin family with nothing to do, as reliant as their tiny minds are on technology. Father Peter decides to treat them all to a re-telling of the Star Wars saga after Brian’s suggestion of lighting candles and reading books is laughed off.
We then launch into an abbreviated version of Episode 4, with the Griffins and the rest of the Quahog community filling the roles, most notably Peter as Han Solo, son Chris as Luke Skywalker, Brian as Chewbacca, and Stewie as a one-foot tall Darth Vader.
The laughs come at a steady pace and there are plenty of in-jokes and references to the Star Wars franchise that possibly only hard-core fans will appreciate (I must admit to not being one of them!)
Luke gets first use of a light sabre
There are plenty of other memorable moments however such as Luke stopping the action to introduce John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra. (Regular composer for the show Walter Murphy does a brilliant job of recreating many of the iconic themes Williams created for the films.)
There’s a funny moment later on when Luke comes upon a wreck with John Williams inside and bemoans the fact that they’re now going to have to complete the "rest of this thing" with Danny Elfman, who appears leading the LSO through a distinctly Elfman-esque cue, only to be swiftly decapitated by Luke’s light saber!
Doctor Who and his freaky theme soon appear as they travel into hyperspace, and when their ship enters the asteroid field later on it’s into a version of the 80’s Asteroid videogame!
A musical number near the end with Obi-Wan, played by Quahog's resident pedophile Herbert, singing The Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing to the object of his lust in Luke, is bizarre but works for some strange reason in its pure audaciousness.
Stewie as Darth Vader!
The elevator-music version of Darth Vader’s theme is a classic moment too, along with Han Solo hanging from the ship in outer space from a pilfered couch wedged in the open doorway.
MacFarlane is obviously a long-time Star Wars geek which shows in his one-on-one interview with George Lucas on the dvd’s extras; this homage episode was a long-time in the planning and there are a number of famous cameos littered throughout.
Rabid devotees of the show won’t rate it as highly but it certainly kept me amused throughout, even as weak as I am in spotting the more clever moments of loving pastiche.
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Comment by Cibbuano
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I think for Star Wars parody, I like Robot Chicken the best.
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