Hughes the Force

High School…. You’ll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.

When a buddy first told me about Hughes the Force, a short fan-film that puts the Star Wars universe at the mercy of John Hughes’ 80s style comedy, it only mildly interested me. I’ve been the witness to many a Star Wars fan film having attended my fair share of Comic-Cons and Star Wars Celebrations over the years. I even toyed around with filming my own saber duel at one point, evidence of which can still be found on YouTube. There’ve only been a handful of very good ones, though none quite like Hughes since Lucas in Love.

Troopers shootin pool

The film is essentially a mash-up homage to the Star Wars and John Hughes films of days gone by with a smattering of Robert Zemeckis throw in for good measure. Primarily, Hughes the Force is a Weird Science parody. A couple of nerdy teens hatch a plan to get into a party by creating the perfect woman, i.e. bringing Princess Leia (in slave garb) to life. She in turn uses her unexplained supernatural powers to grant the geeks jedi-like abilities to help them make friends and get girls.

Amongst the relative unknowns, the filmmakers managed to stalk director Kevin Smith long enough to convince him to make a cameo. Additionally, fans of The Clone Wars animated series will treated to voice actors James Arnold Taylor and Catherine Taber performing Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padme Amidala, for the first time in-person and in-costume as their respective characters. The stand out role though goes to Taylor Treadwell as Leia who makes her entrance a la Kelly LeBrock’s Lisa, only in the quintessential metal bikini.

Most impressive

The film is pure fan service with references and quotes galore from movies like Clerks, The Breakfast Club, Back to the Future and Raiders of the Lost Ark just to name a few. Writer/Director J.C. Reifenberg made it pretty clear during a Q&A session at 2011’s Comikaze in L.A. that it was a labor of love for everyone involved, and it shows. Movie quotes can be a bit heavy handed at times, but it plays to its audience so well that the group I saw it with was lip-syncing each of the one-liners like it was instinct. Myself included.

Hughes clocks in at just over 30 minutes and a strong recommend for fans of the films in question. I wish I could say it appeals to everyone, but without a good knowledge of said films, a viewer might quickly get lost. If you’re in that niche, make it a point to hunt Hughes the Force down. Check em out on Facebook or their website http://www.hughestheforce.com/