Ryan vs. Dorkman 2

In a rematch from the previous battle, Ryan and Michael "Dorkman" Scott go at it again in a light-sabre battle to the death.

I was drifting through cyberspace recently and came across this film and its original on the internet. Or at least I only noticed that both were available after I had watched this sequel – not the smartest but I don't think it matters. Firstly let me just do what some others have done and moan pointlessly about the lack of story and characters blah blah. OK, now that I have done that let me just say that it is OK not to have a story – many Hollywood summer blockbusters have been managing just fine without one, so why should this short be any different. A story here would not have made this film closer to its aim, which was, as the credits say, to showcase the skills of the makers.

In this regard it works and it also entertains at the same time, which is what I wanted it to do. The fight is well choreographed and although it occurs in what looks like a basement, it is exciting and engaging. Kudos to the effects because they are impressive, but I was actually more impressed with the direction. While the fight goes on the camera edits around it really well and it is here where the urgency and involvement comes from for the audience – not the fact that the sabre effects are well done (which they are).

It has the odd moment of comedy which I enjoyed and it is surprisingly entertaining. The ending is a little weak in my opinion and it felt like they had run out of ideas and settle for that as their punchline but otherwise I enjoyed it and found that it did exactly what it set out to do and did it well.

... This deserves a 9 out of 10 seen as an amateur/amateurish project. I completely agree with other posts that this short at times surpasses the best fights in STAR WARS (all of them). As with part one it has an inventiveness and a wry sense of humor, which makes it worth watching, and I don't mean that in the "It's fun because they did the best they could" way. It really IS entertaining.

The plot is... well non-existent, and plot wise a duplicate of the first one. Two characters fight to the death with light sabers. What this brings is not only a compact STAR WARS action sequence, but also the hope for a future generation of sci-fi geeks: Anything is possible.

Keep going you guys! This video is viewable from YOUTUBE - where it has been posted by the producers.

This short, made by Ryan Weiber and Michael Scott, is possibly more exciting than anything from the Star Wars prequel trilogy. With excellent production values, good special effects, and thrilling action, this is one of the best fan films I have ever seen. It would have been nice to have a little back story, but hey, what more do you need than a good light saber duel. The two have gone on to larger projects, working on Heroes and Night at the Museum 2, but I can still hope for a Ryan Vs. Dorkman 3.

I hope that these two do well in the movie business, all I can do is wish them luck.