Comic Book the Movie produced, directed, and starring Mark Hamill! No, no, I know you think you're prepared, but I'm quite positive this film is worse then you could imagine. Mr. Hamill creates a mockumentary revealing the world of comic book enthusiasts. This world was nothing new to me for I have had first hand experience. Five years ago I found myself at the country's second largest comic book convention. Funny thing is, I don't even like comic books. You see, when I was a young lad my older brother would beat me mercilessly if I touched his comic book collection, and as a result, to this day if I see a super hero drawn or on film I flinch. Sick Bastard.

Now, for those of you who don't know anything about conventions for such enthusiasts, it's quite an eye opener. I felt like I was walking through a Dali painting, except instead of melting watches littering the landscape, there were super heroes and John Lennon look-a-likes in their place. Oh, did I forgot to mention that the hotel I was staying in was playing host to a Beatles convention? The hotel I was staying in was playing host to a Beatles convention. After being trapped in a conversation for three hours, where I learned more then anyone should know about the Green Lantern, I'd then have to turn around and navigate the Yellow Submarine! I wish I was making this up.

It looks as though Mark Hamill was not looking forward to the boredom created from his yearly trip to San Diego's Comic Con and decided to bring a couple of digital cameras to occupy his mind. Comic Book The Movie is the end result. Mr. Hamill plays Donald Swan, who is the world's leading authority on the comic book character, Captain Courage. Like every other comic book in the last five years, Captain Courage is now being developed into a movie. Donald Swan has been hired as a technical adviser for the production that will bring his beloved Captain Courage to the masses. Comic Book the Movie documents Swans efforts to keep Hollywood from twisting the integrity of his hero.

It appears that Mr. Hamill called in a few favors, (although why anyone owes Mark Hamill any favors is beyond me) as evidenced by cameos from Kevin Smith, Stan Lee, Hugh Hefner, Donna D'errico, and the great Bruce Campbell. Unfortunately, no amount of celebrity names could save this catastrophe. It's shot on cheap digital which leads me to wonder why this movie feels like Hamill couldn't edit one second of footage. Quite possibly the longest 107 minutes of my life. Comic Book the Movie is a ridiculously poor attempt at improv performance in the style of Christopher Guest. The sad thing is that having survived the ludicrous circus that is a comic book convention, this movie had a lot of potential to be hysterical. The funniest line comes from a big haired rocker, "My band is playing next week, we're called Supine . . .Yeah were a Warrant tribute band!" Thank you ladies and gentlemen, that's all you're going to get. If you want to learn more about the subculture that is the freak show at these conventions, go see Trekies. You'll thank me later.
Hamlin Grade:2.5

Fletch is a killing word!