Seth Green let the geek force be with him in 'Star Wars' parodies

By Steve Lackmeyer

Published: September 5, 2008

Seth Green is a geek. And only someone as geeky as Green could come up with the brilliant "Robot Chicken: Star Wars,” now out on DVD.

No offense to this funny and talented guy — I've liked him ever since I first saw the then 13-year-old play the wisecracking "Chuckie” in 1987's "Can't Buy Me Love.” And in many ways, he's still 13. Consider that he seems to know the names of all the obscure characters in the "Star Wars” movies. Yes, he can recite the names of the aliens who got into a scuffle with Luke Skywalker at the bar.

Green has been demonstrating his wonderful geekiness with his stop-motion animation show "Robot Chicken” for the past three years as part of Adult Swim on the Cartoon Network. He's given viewers a "special” episode of "Transformers” dealing with prostate cancer, a "Smurfs” serial killer mystery, super villains carpooling and competing with archenemies for a parking space, and a battle between Joey Fatone and Britney Spears.

And some of Green's best work on "Robot Chicken” involved a couple of parodies of "Star Wars.” They were so good, in fact, they led to Star Wars creator George Lucas agreeing to a full Robot Chicken treatment of the classic sci-fi movies.

We're treated to a "yo-momma” face-off between Skywalker and Darth Vader. We're treated to speculation about how all those body parts severed by light sabers are disposed of, and most importantly, we learn that being an evil emperor isn't without a few headaches.

The DVD is filled with special features — more than two hours worth — that make a convincing case that this show is more than geeky fun. The stop-motion animation is truly an intricate art done with great care. It's a treat watching the job get done via time-lapse filming. And to hear the stories behind each sketch, well, one can only conclude that Seth Green is a truly brilliant and funny geek.

Now everybody gather together (except the kids, who definitely shouldn't be watching any of this), and in your best chicken garble, sing the tune to "Star Wars.”

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