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» » The Audience Strikes Back (2008)

Short summary

"The Audience Strikes Back" is the story of eight very different people who are brought together for what is supposed to be a friendly discussion about Star Wars, but who during one short evening unleash their opinions on everything from Christian fundamentalism to gay marriage to the war in Iraq as well. The film culminates in an unexpected outburst of violence.

The entire film, except for the exteriors at Seattle's Cinerama theater, was shot in only five days.

Although in the end TASB did have a written script, the original idea was for the movie to be completely improvised, somewhat after the manner of Christopher's Guest's movies (This is Spinal Tap; Best in Show; For Your Consideration), and in fact, a significant portion of the dialogue is derived from the actors' improvs during rehearsals.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Manesenci
    I'm not sure what the previous reviewer was expecting but I can't think of anything more boring than 90 minutes of Star Wars - and nothing else. What I liked about the film was the way it took the themes from Star Wars and used them to address all the critical issues of the day that divide us as a nation. I thought the fundamentalist character was well acted and scripted and was treated very fairly. it reminded me - in a good way - of the way "12 Angry Men" addressed the social issues of it's day.

    I do think the acting was uneven, but the script was original and thoughtful and the treatment was interesting. This was all done on a tiny independent (really independent) budget with a first time director. So maybe my expectations were lower, but I was impressed with the final balance achieved between entertainment and social commentary.

    In these days where movies endlessly rehash the same things, remakes, Lethal Weapon 16, and other "sure-fire" titles, it's refreshing to see a film that provides one person's unique view of what has been creating this red state/blue state nightmare of the past 8 years. I'd love to see what this creative team could do with a bigger budget and some marketing power behind them.
  • comment
    • Author: JOGETIME
    Okay...the title is totally misleading as it implies that this group of people talk for a couple hours about Star Wars. In all honesty there's about 10 minutes of filmed Star Wars discussion. Then, as a true metaphor to current society, these random "fans" go off on personal and political issues that have NOTHING to do with Star Wars. Seriously, Star Wars fans stay away from this steaming pile of fecal matter. Unless you like reality television, in which case a lot can be said. To give this film a half a star, I will point out that a Fundamentalist Christian gets choked. I give the kid 10 points for style (in that he not only read my thoughts and everyone else's at the table) in that he didn't know how to use the Force...yet he still chokes this babbling idiot because the Christian can't keep his judgmental mouth shut for 10 minutes. Seriously, ditch this garbage.
  • comment
    • Author: Mightsinger
    A Wretched Abortion of a Movie -

    What do you get when one bizarrely egocentric star wars fan creates a movie to showcase every little thing that pops into his head? You guessed it, The Audience Strikes Back.

    The only thing lamer than the last several star wars movies is a pretend panel discussing them.

    The acting is terrible and the plot is practically non existent. I would be hard pressed to think of a stupider idea than a scripted panel about anything - but making it vaguely revolve around Star Wars gives this one an extra scoop of FAIL.
  • Credited cast:
    Mark Boeker Mark Boeker - Don
    Gorneth D'Oyley Gorneth D'Oyley - Andre
    Carol DeSalles Carol DeSalles - Celine
    Dan Heinrich Dan Heinrich - Lloyd
    Andy McCone Andy McCone - Herb
    Brittany Quist Brittany Quist - Barista
    Danielle Reierson Danielle Reierson - Caroline
    Michael Smith Michael Smith - Bill
    Sam Suver Sam Suver - Jake
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