I never saw the original Star Wars trilogy until I was well into my high school career, but that didn't stop me from having several Star Wars action figures as a young kid. Specifically, I remember three - Mace Windu, C-3PO, and R2-D2. Despite not knowing a single thing about these characters, their origins, or their intricacies, I was drawn to their plastic appearances and their pristine and immaculate detail even as a young child. I didn't need their backstories to have complex, imaginative adventures with them on my ledge overlooking my street. That's the beauty of Star Wars; even if we have no background or knowledge of the characters, most of us can still pick up the toys and create adventures that are just as satisfying to that small candle of childhood nostalgia we still have lit in the back of our minds.R2-D2: Beneath the Dome, a three-part, twenty-minute mockumentary, takes the lid off the character figuratively and literally to explore the interworkings of one of the most fascinating and intricate characters of the Star Wars universe. Told in a style reminiscent of talk show specials answering the much-asked question "where are they now?," with an aesthetic resembling VH1's Behind the Music show, we learn of "Artoo"'s beginning as an actor and a friend of George Lucas, as struggled to obtain more complex and challenging roles in feature films and TV shows. However, all it took was Lucas to have a bit of faith in his robot companion, and following the success of A New Hope in 1977, R2-D2 became a household name and a movie-star overnight.As with many celebrities, the fame gets to one's head and a downward spiral ensues, which is what parts two and three of this film concern. In addition to "archive footage," we see interviews with people like Lucas and Artoo's co-stars Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, and even his pregnant girlfriend Bitsie Tulloch. As a fun and creative exercise, R2-D2: Beneath the Dome is a real treat for Star Wars fans because it ultimately does what every fan wants out of people who view the movies - to take the events and the characters seriously. When you start subscribing a detailed history and resume for a robotic droid, in addition to giving him a girlfriend, I think it's safe to say that you've taken him about as seriously as you could.R2-D2: Beneath the Dome is a cute film for its casual humor and the way it personifies a character that was instrumental to so many peoples' lives arguably for just being so simple, yet so immaculate. The result is a lively and spirited, with its tongue firmly planted in its cheek and unwilling to move or displace it.Directed by: Don Bies and Spencer Susser.

"R2-D2: Beneath the Dome" sounds like it could be really funny. Think of a blend of E! True Hollywood Story with A & E's Biography, and throw in the fact that it's a robotic character from "Star Wars" being profiled. Sounds interesting, right? Well, it must have been a lot more amusing on paper, because the final product didn't get one laugh at me. Not a single laugh. And I laugh at well-done comedy, whether the critics agree ("Ghostbusters", "Big") or not ("Houseguest", "Men at Work", Adam Sandler films).But this little mockumentary, unfortunately, doesn't work. It's as if everyone is trying to be funny, and unfortunately, in comedy intentionally trying to be funny rarely works outside of a stand-up comedy routine. Samuel L. Jackson talking about "Homeboy is probably from Detroit." Harty-har.Photoshopping R2 into posters for movies, parodied like "Greased" and "The Good, The Bad, and The Oily" is funny if you're in second grade. Watching this, I wanted to like it and I wanted to laugh, but the only ones I can imagine laughing at this are "Star Wars" nerds. That's an oversimplification and not a bash at anyone who enjoyed this little thing, but I'm a big "Star Wars" fan and, blah, this wasn't funny. Comedy is subjective, I know, my opinions are just that: opinions.Now, I don't mean to bash this as much as I am. It's just a little mockumentary on the web (although, for the record, editing the "Who's on First?" comedy routine with Jar-Jar and Yoda was a just little Web thing and that was hilarious). It's even good for a few smiles, when the people being interviewed aren't trying to be funny, and seem like they're telling serious anecdotes. The few smiles tend to come from Spielberg and Coppola, who are surely veterans of serious interviews about filmmakers, and their deadpan takes are amusing...not quite funny, but amusing. In general, though, the clips of R2 with his girlfriend or on the beach alone aren't particularly funny. It's a one-joke premise that would have worked had it just been a one-minute fake ad, but as a 15-minute or whatever documentary, it falls completely flat mostly because the parties involved are conscious they're trying to get you to laugh. Worth watching, sure. It's perfect in showing you that comedy is more difficult than it looks; I'm sure on paper, this sounded really funny.

This 'mockumentary" was brilliant!! It really shows the sense of humor the gang at Star Wars has. A definite must see for any Star Wars fan. I have no doubt this will be a part of the DVD of Episode II when it comes out. If you can't wait for the DVD, check it out. Just a warning though.. broadband connection preferred.

I bet the casts of the new and old movies are having a blast making this. Only the first two episodes are out as I write this, but it has got to be one of the funniest "mokumentaries" ever. Especially fun is what R2 did with himself in the intervening years between "Return of the Jedi" and "Phantom Menace." I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone, so go to the Star Wars website and see. Thumbs up for the guy who thought this one up, and for George Lucas, for letting them take a shot at his creations.