Listen, sure you've heard how terrible this thing is. And it is. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it. Let's stop to remember for just a moment what the late 70's/80's were like. Let's stop and think for a moment what holiday specials are like. Let's put that all together and throw in some Star Wars and I just don't see how this could have been better.
Of course, I don't see how it could be any worse.
But that said, let's talk about the downs. Yeah, lotta Wookies. Most people complain about the amount of Wookie pudu you have to wade through. But there's a lot to be said for kinda understanding what's going on through body language and primal growls. The first ten minutes or so has no dialog apart from growls and grunts between the Wookie family, in preparation for the Wookie Life Day (a celebration not unlike Christmas--well very unlike, but comparable--universal peace blah, blah, blah). Then we have the musical guests (Dihanne Carrol and Jefferson Starship) and the awfully long and campy Cirque du Solielesque holo-movie. They date the movie terribly and are probably the most unwatchable bits in the movie. We also have Bea Arthur singing in the cantina. Which is oddly enjoyable to me. Harvey Korman and Art Carney make a few notable appearances, that aren't really THAT bad. The highlight is obviously the first appearance of Boba Fett in a nice animation starring your favorite Star Wars cast members. And to top it all off Carrie Fisher and Mark Hammill appear in this magical dimension with a bunch of robed Wookies after not being able to attend. And Fisher sings a song to the Star Wars theme.
All in all it's full of bad jokes, bad editing, and just plain bad acting. But I find it all deliciously bad. It's a guilty pleasure, and no Holiday Season for me is complete without watching this special. It shows a glimpse into the Wookie homeworld before it was retooled to become Endor (Ewoks replaced the Wookie which was originally intended to be the inhabitants of the forest during the final battle in Return of the Jedi).
Let's face it, Holiday Specials in general are pretty bad, and this isn't any different. But it's still enjoyable, and any true fan of Star Wars will revel in it's awfulness.
Of course, I don't see how it could be any worse.
But that said, let's talk about the downs. Yeah, lotta Wookies. Most people complain about the amount of Wookie pudu you have to wade through. But there's a lot to be said for kinda understanding what's going on through body language and primal growls. The first ten minutes or so has no dialog apart from growls and grunts between the Wookie family, in preparation for the Wookie Life Day (a celebration not unlike Christmas--well very unlike, but comparable--universal peace blah, blah, blah). Then we have the musical guests (Dihanne Carrol and Jefferson Starship) and the awfully long and campy Cirque du Solielesque holo-movie. They date the movie terribly and are probably the most unwatchable bits in the movie. We also have Bea Arthur singing in the cantina. Which is oddly enjoyable to me. Harvey Korman and Art Carney make a few notable appearances, that aren't really THAT bad. The highlight is obviously the first appearance of Boba Fett in a nice animation starring your favorite Star Wars cast members. And to top it all off Carrie Fisher and Mark Hammill appear in this magical dimension with a bunch of robed Wookies after not being able to attend. And Fisher sings a song to the Star Wars theme.
All in all it's full of bad jokes, bad editing, and just plain bad acting. But I find it all deliciously bad. It's a guilty pleasure, and no Holiday Season for me is complete without watching this special. It shows a glimpse into the Wookie homeworld before it was retooled to become Endor (Ewoks replaced the Wookie which was originally intended to be the inhabitants of the forest during the final battle in Return of the Jedi).
Let's face it, Holiday Specials in general are pretty bad, and this isn't any different. But it's still enjoyable, and any true fan of Star Wars will revel in it's awfulness.