140 Character Movie Review – #140RVW
Loving documentary is filled with great memories & background into the biggest pop culture and toy phenomenon of all time. Personal & fun…
Spoiler-free Movie Review of Plastic Galaxy: The Story of Star Wars Toys:
Plastic Galaxy is wonderful. There is clearly so much love behind the project, from the clever opening credits to the tons of collector stories. This is truly a personal tale – these people are talking about something that was so integral to their childhood that it’s probably nearly impossible to understand if you don’t share that same background. I hope it isn’t alienating to those poor souls who didn’t grow up in a time when Star Wars was THE most important thing in the world.
All documentaries feel nearly the same at some level, with the endless talking heads. But these talking heads are my people.
The collectors are very articulate in explaining just why these were so important; you didn’t get to see the movies over and over; in some ways “toys more important than movies” because you’d get to play with them every day.
John Booth, who wrote the excellent book Collect All 21!, is great in sharing those memories that resonate so much with me. Credits the lasting appeal to the fact that the figures are fundamentally a link to something bigger – no different than talking with your dad about baseball cards.
The film does try a little too hard in some ways; there are all these cutesy animations and effects for emphasis and humor. It’s great for a bit, but gets to be a bit much. That’s a very minor quibble, though.
The history about why this was such a phenomenon is interesting but nothing you haven’t seen before. The history on Kenner itself is fantastic, though, particularly the interview with the creators. These guys have such obvious pride regarding their part in this tale. It’s not the first insight into this area, there are some great books, but it really comes alive seeing the faces of these men remembering these anecdotes.
Bernie Loomis, president of Kenner – movie has “toyetic appeal” – as insightful as Alan Ladd Jr.; both deserve tons of credit for the role of SW in the world.
The picture is simply packed with great little memories that take you back:
- being rough with the figures
- circling the figures you wanted on the back of the cards
- rocket-firing backpack – man, everyone swore they knew someone who had one
- this stuff is just so playable! the “play value” was key to the design;
- all the photos from everyone’s childhood
- everyone getting to show off their original stuff; it’s such a treat to see the toys and marketing materials, but much more so seeing the people showing it off with the obvious love
- The wonderful product photography of Roy Frankenfield & Kim Simmons; these photographers brought the figures and vehicles to life.
“What makes the movie great is what makes the toys great – imagination.” That quote could easily and appropriately refer to Plastic Galaxy itself. I’ve seen it a couple of times – it’s just such a blast. HIGHLY recommended.
Check out their links page – lots of great stuff! http://www.plasticgalaxymovie.com/links.html
Poster:
Trailer:
Bechdel Test:
n/a
The Representation Test Score: n/a
| Main Cast | Tom Beaumont Himself Tom Berges Himself John Booth Himself John Cook Himself |
| Rating | Not Rated |
| Release Date | 2014 |
| Director | Brian Stillman |
| Genres | Documentary, History, Sci-Fi |
| Plot | When Star Wars landed in the theaters, it introduced audiences to a galaxy filled with heroes and villains… |
| Poster |  |
| Runtime | 70 |
| Tagline | |
| Writers | Brian Stillman (story) |
| Year | 2014 |
