Morgan Spurlock’s “documentary” Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope is a pandering and belittling look at geek culture that strives to convince the world that being a passionate fan makes you an insider.
Whereas, San Diego Comic-Con was once the biggest opportunity to see your favorite writers and artists and the chance to network, and honor industry veterans and celebrate the medium, it’s devolved into little more than a marketing opportunity for Hollywood to create buzz for their various properties.
The film focuses on five individuals; two hopeful artists (one with potential, the other blindly not), an aspiring cosplay designer, a fan trying to find the right Comic-Con moment to propose to his girlfriend and long-time comic dealer Chuck Rondanzki who faces financial worries and the potential need to sell off a prized book to keep things afloat.
Ultimately, this film says nothing except for promoting Comic-Con as mecca for society’s misfits. Celebrity talking heads don’t make this self-congratulatory effort any better; if anything it’s as detrimental to geek culture as shows like Comic Book Men, movies like Paul or “personalities” like Felicia Day.
Comic-Con feels like it’s become nothing more than a marketing opportunity for the studios. This film included.
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