No critical treatment of the Star Wars universe is complete without the comedic genius of Hardware Wars. Alongside Apocalypse Pooh and Unbakeable, this parody of our favorite SW characters (only Episode IV need apply) features such endearing hilarities as Fluke Starbucker, Oggie Ben Doggie, Ham Salad, Princess Anne-Droid and my personal favorites, Artie Deco, 4Q2 and the Wookie Monster (HA!).
With an $8,000 budget … “Hardware Wars” was shot in four days in bars, beaches and garages around the San Francisco Bay Area. Surprisingly, production was started only a short time after “Star Wars” was released. Although single-screen theaters across the country had lines wrapping around the block to see the science-fiction spectacular, nobody [in the cast] was aware that they were poking fun at what would soon become an enduring cultural icon.
Did I mention that Darth Vader’s role was worked over into America’s own consumer rights icon, Ralph Nader? Brilliant.
The short did not escape the attention of Emperor Lucas, who detected that the Force was strong in this one, and attracted it to the dark side of Cable TV.
Over the years the usually litigious Lucas has actually expressed his enjoyment of “Hardware Wars,” calling it a “cute little film.” It’s the only non-Lucasfilm product to be sold in Star Wars Insider magazine. The short enjoys the same semi-endorsed status as the subsequent subgenre of homemade “fan films” to which Lucas has recently given the nod, even hosting a Sci-Fi Channel special about them.
While on the topic of Star Wars sendups, here is New Orleans’ contribution to the same.
Some choice quotes:
[Yoda] is still one mean green fighting machine, but the “Crouching Jedi, Hidden Sith” nonsense has been left behind.
Padme’s announcement that she is pregnant causes Anakin a series of nightmares.
Someone really ought to investigate the health risks of dabbling in the dark side of the Force. It seems to cause emphysema and premature aging.
“Crouching Jedi, Hidden Sith” – now there’s one parody that has yet to be made.
Oggie Ben Doggie! I’m suffering from a flashback to my late college years!