{"id":5588,"date":"2024-05-06T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"

MOVIE REVIEW
\r\nHardware Wars (Collector's Edition)<\/strong>
\r\n - <\/stro"},"modified":"2024-05-06T12:29:01","modified_gmt":"2024-05-06T12:29:01","slug":"appliance-rebellion-a-galactic-parody","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/appliance-rebellion-a-galactic-parody\/","title":{"rendered":"Appliance Rebellion: a Galactic Parody"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n
\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>5 Minute, 30 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>

MOVIE REVIEW
\nHardware Wars (Collector's Edition)<\/strong>
\n – <\/strong><\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Genre:<\/strong> Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Short
\nYear Released:<\/strong> 1978, 2024 MVD Rewind Collection Blu-ray
\nRuntime:<\/strong> 13m
\nDirector(s):<\/strong> Ernie Fosselius
\nWriter(s):<\/strong> Ernie Fosselius
\nCast:<\/strong> Frank Robertson, Jeff Hale, Artie Deco, Scott Matthews, Cindy Furgatch, Bob Knickerbocker, Ernie Fosselius, Paul Frees
\nWhere To Watch:<\/strong> available May 7, 2024; pre-order here www.mvdshop.com<\/a>, or www.amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

RAVING REVIEW: <\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>Step into a universe where ordinary kitchen gadgets embark on epic space adventures against the unknown (although honestly, despite the title, this isn’t just about “hardware.”) HARDWARE WARS, a film that crafts a sprawling cosmic tale in a mere thirteen minutes, showcases what was able to be achieved with a modest $8,000 budget all these years ago, mixed with a hefty dose of creativity. Created by Ernie Fosselius in 1978, this film pays a playful homage to STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE (or just STAR WARS as it was known by then,) released just a year earlier, by reimagining George Lucas’ space opera with household tools and simple materials, wrapped in a warm blanket of nostalgia and some quirky humor.<\/p>\n

\n

HARDWARE WARS doesn't just playfully poke fun at the film; it creatively subverts it with a delightful DIY aesthetic that has won over audiences, including Star Wars creator George Lucas, who famously praised it in a 1999 interview as his preferred parody. The film’s hands-on approach to visual effects and the detailed manual editing underscore its charmingly “old-fashioned” feel. This pioneering spirit secures its place in the pantheon of cinematic folk art.<\/p>\n

Characters like Fluke Starbucker and his comical sidekick, Ham Salad, traverse a galaxy rich with satirical humor and clever puns, making each minute of the film's runtime burst with energy. These characters deliver lines that cleverly nod to various cultural touchstones, from The Wizard of Oz to Sesame Street, enriching the film's narrative texture. I wish this had been realized as a scene-for-scene parody instead of just the long-form trailer we got.<\/p>\n

The voice-over by Paul Frees adds a layer of cinematic grandeur, enhancing the film's playful tone with his resonant delivery. The comedy shines brightly in scenes filled with imaginative uses of everyday items—like a character using an electric drill as a weapon or an iron floating through a starry expanse—proving that the film’s humor connects with newcomers and those familiar with its parodic targets. Unfortunately, some of the gags just don’t work. While this is undeniably fun, it was also a creation of its time.<\/p>\n

The newly restored scan does give us our best look at the film (though no fear, this edition contains every version you can think of). However, keep in mind that the nature of the low-budget creation means this has a raw, unpolished charm of the original film stock, complete with grainy visuals and color imperfections that now serve to authenticate the experience more than detract from it.<\/p>\n

The unique features of the HARDWARE WARS Blu-ray add substantial value. They feature a mix of humorous and insightful content, including a “spoof” director’s commentary by Fosselius and the aforementioned various cuts and versions of the film. These extras provide a fascinating glimpse into the inventive filmmaking process behind this low-budget endeavor.<\/p>\n

For those of us who spent our childhoods immersed in the world of cinematic parodies, crafting makeshift props and quoting lines from iconic spoofs, HARDWARE WARS invokes a profound sense of nostalgia. It represents not just a comedic take on a beloved genre but a testament to the creativity possible within the confines of limited resources—a celebration of fandom’s capacity to inspire across decades.<\/p>\n

However, some diehard Star Wars fans might find the parody lacking in edge and freshness, perhaps due to its pioneering status when such comedic takes were not as refined or widespread as they are today.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, HARDWARE WARS is more than just a simple spoof; it's an homage to the enduring spirit of creative, fan-driven filmmaking and the low-budget ethos that allows such passionate projects to achieve cult status. This Blu-ray offers a nostalgic and insightful journey for anyone keen on exploring the early days of fan culture or simply looking for a lighthearted diversion from the usual grand space epics. May the farce be with you.<\/p>\n

Bonus Materials<\/strong>
\nBrand new 2K HD transfer from the only known surviving element, a 16mm Reversal Release print presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio
\nLPCM 2.0 Stereo Audio
\nOriginal Mono Audio
\nOptional English Subtitles
\nAudio Commentary with Writer \/ Director Ernie Fosselius
\n'Hardware Wars' Directors Cut (10:15, SD)
\n'Hardware Wars' Prequel featurette (05:23, SD)
\n'Hardware Wars' Foreign Version (11:19, SD)
\n1978 Creature Features Interview with Writer \/ Director Ernie Fosselius (12:12, SD)
\n'Hardware Wars Saves Christmas' featurette (06:09. SD)
\nAwards Reel (01:08, SD)
\n'Hardware Wars' Trailer (SD)
\n“Porklips Now” (21:38, SD) is a 1980 parody of “Apocalypse Now” by director Ernie Fosselius.
\n“Plan 9.1 From Outer Space” (20:46, SD) is a 2009 parody remake of “Plan 9 From Outer Space” with puppets from director Ernie Fosselius.
\nReversible Artwork
\nCollectible Mini-Poster
\nLimited Edition Slipcover (First Pressing Only)<\/p>\n

For more reviews, please visit https:\/\/linktr.ee\/overlyhonestmr.<\/p>\n

You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. You can also find my social media accounts on most platforms by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews.<\/p>\n

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.<\/p>\n

[photo courtesy of MVD ENTERTAINMENT]<\/em><\/p>\n

DISCLAIMER:<\/strong>
\nAt Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive free items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl, Books, etc. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices, regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.<\/p>\n

Amazon Affiliate Links:<\/strong>
\nAdditionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support in navigating these links.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \n
\n \n \"Happy\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Happy <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n \n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Sad\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Sad <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Excited\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Excited <\/div>\n
\n 1<\/span>\n 100<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Sleepy\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Sleepy <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n \n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Angry\"\n <\/a>\n
Angry<\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Surprise\"\n <\/a>\n
Surprise<\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

MOVIE REVIEW Hardware Wars (Collector's Edition)  –      Genre: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Short Year Released: 1978, 2024 MVD Rewind Collection Blu-ray Runtime: 13m Director(s): Ernie Fosselius Writer(s): Ernie Fosselius Cast: Frank Robertson, Jeff Hale, Artie Deco, Scott Matthews, Cindy Furgatch, Bob Knickerbocker, Ernie Fosselius, Paul Frees Where To Watch: available May 7, 2024; pre-order here […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5589,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5588","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5588","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5588"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5588\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mailnewsgroup.com\/ohmr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}