Some people just enjoy watching Star Wars. Others collect so many action figures that they don't have room for furniture, stage public lightsaber fights, or build life-sized models of the Millennium Falcon in their backyard. The documentary Jedi Junkies focuses on the second type of fan -- whom most outsiders (and even some insiders) would view as crazy or extreme -- and how they express their love for Star Wars.
Expressions of Star Wars Fandom
Some Star Wars fans are toy collectors -- including Eduardo Sanchez (director of The Blair Witch Project) -- who talk about what they collect and why. Some fans are lightsaber enthusiasts: the organization New York Jedi holds lightsaber-dueling demonstrations, and Bob Iannaccone of Advanced Light Weaponry, who builds custom lightsaber hilts. This category also overlaps with cosplayers, although in that respect the film focuses on fans who dress like Slave Leia.
Each of the main topics of Jedi Junkies could practically carry its own documentary. This is especially true of the interviews with fan filmmakers: Aaron Yonda and Matt Sloan of the YouTube sensation Chad Vader, director John Bardy of the fan film "Tremors of the Force," and filmmaker Dennis Ward, who built a life-size Millennium Falcon for his film "Stuck on Star Wars."
Fans from a Fan's Perspective
Jedi Junkies is definitely a film made by fans and for fans. There's no narrator explaining Star Wars fandom (although there are a few obligatory comments by therapists about how collecting can be a sign of a psychiatric disorder). Rather, the main interviews are interspersed with comments from fans about their favorite Star Wars films, whether Darth Vader could beat Darth Maul in a fight, and why they love Star Wars. Even a few Star Wars actors put in appearances, including Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Ray Park (Darth Maul).
Perhaps a narrator might have helped the documentary feel more cohesive, however. The structure feels rushed and a bit jumbled. Often clips appear with no introduction several minutes before someone shows up to talk about them. One clip in particular -- showcasing some very nice special effects in the fan film "The Last Hope" -- left me hoping I'd see more later, but it came and went with no explanation whatsoever.
Diversity in Fandom
Unfortunately, Jedi Junkies is also a stark reminder of the invisibility of women in sci-fi fandom. Women in the documentary are sound bytes, nameless people at cons. They are outsiders brought in to explain fan behavior. They are wives and girlfriends who tolerate their mates' obsessions -- or are driven away by them. They are participants in films or organizations led by men. One leaves with the impression that the only "extreme" fan activity women lead on their own is dressing as Slave Leia -- a sexual performance for men.
It is nice to notice, however, that the short interviews with Star Wars fans highlight the wide appeal of the franchise. We get to hear a bit about Star Wars fandom from women and men of all ages and around the world, even if they're not ultimately the focus of the documentary.
A Fun Film
Despite its flaws, Jedi Junkies is a fun little documentary that should appeal to everyone who loves Star Wars. The film offers a fresh, positive look at Star Wars fans, showcasing odd fan behaviors without feeling like "look at that crazy fan" -- except, perhaps, in the sense of "look at that crazy fan -- I want to be just like him."
Cast: Ray Park, Olivia Munn, Peter Mayhew, Eduardo Sanchez, Jeremy Bulloch
Director: Mark Edlitz
Producers: Mark Edlitz, Jerry Kolber
Formats: Digital download, DVD
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 73 minutes
Official Site: Jedi Junkies