THE JEDI HUNTER
creators' Web site
Web site for downloading @ TheForce.Net

Read an interview with writer-director-etc. John E. Hudgens

review written 2/23/2003

I went into this film knowing nothing about "Crocodile Hunter" or whatever the hell this is supposed to be spoofing. This is not an ideal way to go into a parody. I mean, I knew it was show about animals or something, and the guy's an Aussie (right?) and...

And the film is still enjoyable no matter what.

It eases you in with some funny TV spoofs—heck, I wouldn't have even known when the regular movie began had I not seen Z-Team Productions standard star Heather Harris make her appearance. This scene is shot well, just like a documentary-narrator's introduction should be shot—them walking around. (Though Harris seems to be a little low in the frame. Were they planning to add a widescreen matte?)

My Lord, that Slave I shot at 1:11 is gorgeous. I love the green tones. But only seconds later, what the hell is a Jedi doing wearing glasses (are those glasses or just weird Web compression?) and store-bought pants and a shirt? I know this is supposed to be a spoof, but I would have liked to see a Jedi robe here. However, the film redeems itself with good costumes in the rest of the montage.

Oh, and did I mention that Boba Fett makes an entrance at 1:26 with... no, mustn't spoil it. Too good.

Boba addresses the camera and we get those funny tilted video images we've all seen on television.

We follow Boba through some of his favorite him-vs.-Jedi fights. And it's well-done. The television conventions are well-obeyed. And the effects are flawless (3:37, anyone? Though you think Boba Fett's past as seen in AOTC would make him a little sensitive to doing that kind of thing to other people.)

It's a strange thing, though, about The Jedi Hunter. Even when it's funny, it's just smile funny, not laugh-out-loud funny. I wanted to laugh at the bantha tracks joke and the red shirt joke. But I didn't. I think it might be the fact that they chose to have Boba imitate the Crocodile Hunter's accent that killed the humor. It might have been funnier delivered in a more standard Boba Fett gravelly voice.

And I would have liked to see a fight, a real fight, not just Boba firing one blast and declaring it over. It might have ruined the timing a bit, but Z-Team knows their stuff—it would have been great to see.

The Jedi Hunter has wonderful production values, even if in the end it's just a guy in a great costume walking around. It never drops the ball, though it fumbles a bit. I'm glad I took a chance and watched it. It's Z-Team Productions' best, and a definite keeper.