Director: Morgan Spurlock
Cast: Kevin Smith, Stan Lee, Holly Conrad, Chuck Rondanzi
Certificate: TBC

Despite being a geek, I’ve never really had the urge to go to Comic-Con. But every year, millions of comic book lovers, artists and cinemagoers flock en masse to San Diego to buy merchandise, idolise heroes and dress up in coloured tights. Morgan Spurlock’s amiable documentary is a heartfelt tribute to all of them.

Why? For some, it’s an annual tradition, or a celebration of a game or a comic that inspired them in their youth. For others, it’s a job or a chance to build a career. But they have one thing in common: they all want to be there. Spurlock takes that enthusiasm and dashes around the convention floor with it, interviewing attendees from Stan Lee and Kevin Smith all the way down to costume designer Holly Conrad, who’s still amazed that dressing up people as HALO soldiers can be a professional occupation.

Teasing out stories of passion and hard work, Comic-Con Episode IV amuses with its blend of nerdy chaos but is careful never to become hysterical itself – we enjoy the wave of hype without getting caught up in it. Graphic novel-style animations link segments with suitable panache, while Jingle Punks’ music is ironically epic. But just when you think you’ve seen all The Con has to offer, Spurlock pulls you in with an unexpected display of emotion between one couple.

The director’s knack to win over audiences makes this a niche documentary that’s accessible to fans and non-fans alike. I’ve never really had the urge to go to Comic-Con. You know what? I kind of do now.

VERDICT

The Force is strong with this one.