R2-D2: Beneath the Dome (2001 TV Short) User Reviews

True to Lucas fashion. He put it on the dvd.

[PatrynXX · 8/10 · 11 December 2002]

This little show is so like Lucas. Making fun of himself again. I'm just glad he put it on Episode II. (course since I bought 1 & 2 on dvd at the same time recently, I might be screwing this up) But I believe it's on the extra's section of Ep 2. THough I did watch it when it originally came out. But even if you not into Star Wars, you should get a kick out of this.

8/10

Funny little fake documentary

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 9 August 2016]

"R2-D2: Beneath the Dome" is a live action short film from 2001, so it has its 15th anniversary this year. The title already gives away that this one is also Star wars related and this is from the time when they made films 4-6 (actually 1-3 in chronology). It is all about the globally famous little robot in this documentary/mockumentary. It tells us about his early days as an "actor" and how he struggled with his career at some point before he returned to stardom finally. This was pretty funny on some occasions and you could see that the people in here sometimes had difficulties to hide their amusement. Samuel L. Jackson is of course once again the coolest guy on the planet posing as a friend to R2-D2 in here. And this little movie also takes us into the private life of the title character, namely his history with his parents (especially dad) and his tumultuous relationship with a hot young brunette. And there is a nice surprise for everybody at the end with her last comment, probably the biggest surprise for R2-D2 himself. The documentary entirely acts as if he was a real human being in here and the joke works for this runtime. It may have gotten a bit critical around the 30-minute mark, but for 20 minutes, it was pretty entertaining. 6 stars out of 10 and I am not a great Star Wars fan, so this should mean something. Huge fans of the franchise will probably love it even more.

Does what everyone Star Wars fan wants from its friends and acquaintances

[StevePulaski · 8/10 · 28 March 2016]

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.

Has to be on the DVD!!

[JoePendleton8314 · 9/10 · 23 February 2002]

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.

Funny!

[shawn_allen · 7 December 2001]

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.

Its a joke

[thegreenarrow-28184 · 6/10 · 15 May 2022]

Its a very weird an offical "fake" documentary got made for R2-D2, it was very weird, but if your a hard core star wars fan you need to see this. Its very weird............

Very Well Done and Humorous

[ooss19 · 10/10 · 14 July 2002]

A great short-featurette about R2-D2 and his struggles through life outside of Star Wars, what many people dont know is that this is actually a 3 part-documentary available on starwars.com and that the short 5-10 minute portion shown on Fox during the fall of 2001 is just the trailer for it. Any one who likes star wars or likes comedy and has seen star wars should go to starwars.com and see it. It has interviews from other movie figures and star wars actors such as Samuel L. Jackson and Natalie Portman.

Fantastic!

[legrant · 10/10 · 18 December 2001]

It is so refreshing to see something like this. The way R2D2 is portrayed has to be seen to be believed. The additional footage is great as are the interviews with some major names of the Star Wars universe.

Well worth a look!

Proves that comedy is more difficult than it looks

[DoobieKeebler · 3/10 · 15 October 2002]

"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.

HILARIOUS!!!

[pf-matt · 10/10 · 6 December 2001]

This is the funniest documentary ever! It was a small documentary about Artoo-Detoo's life outside of star wars. I thought it was funny when Steven Spielberg said he could of used Artoo-Detoo in Saving Private Ryan or when Francis Ford Coppola said he could of been in The God Father. I think any star wars fan or movie critic should see this little 5 to 10 minute documentary. If you know someone who has it on tape or you know where you can down load it you should watch it!

Don't bother. 20 Minutes of Nothing.

[kino1969 · 2/10 · 6 December 2011]

I give it 2 for only 2 really funny lines in the entire "mockumentary." This was just plain dumb, uninspired, lame. It looks to have been done at the last second by someone who obviously thinks Jar-Jar was the best idea EVER! (Unfortunately, the name George Lucas comes to mind.) There is nothing new or anything really imaginative. Obviously, many of the actors and directors in this mess must not have any work. It is brought to DVD by those (Lucas) who have rights to the SW franchise. If you have to get Spielberg to be in a short film, than you know that "funny" will not be part of the plan. I will never get my 20 minutes of life back! Go find "Chad Vader"! Now that is truly funny! Even better, any of the "Robot Chicken" dvds!

Huliours

[Jennifer Pennington · 3 December 2002]

One of THE most funniest mock-umentaries I have EVER seen. I love how Carrie Fisher is in this, including Natalie Portman. It is very funny. I love how they make R2 look so damn stupid in this...but it's very funny! A must see for those R2 fans!

A cute and funny film

[Herbest8 · 10/10 · 4 October 2009]

The true star of "Star Wars" gets his own film in the form of a cute and surprisingly well made mockumentary. The loose story focuses on the rise and fall of Reginald Dillingham (the apparent real name of R2-D2) and also goes into the honors and friends that he gathered on the journey.

The cast is made up mostly of "Star Wars" veterans and has the unique distinction of bringing together most of the cast members from both trilogies. In addition, celebrities like Richard Dreyfuss and Francis Ford Copolla make appearances and show their comedic chops quite well.

It's hard to pinpoint the best performance. Samuel L. Jackson is pretty good, coming off as being the kind of loyal friend you'd like by your side and Dreyfuss is very convincing as the bitter ex-friend of the droid. Even Christopher Lee scores points in a cameo role. If I had to choose, I would say Ben Burtt is certainly the most watchable. But perhaps the greatest asset is that this cute film has no slow spots at all and works well in its 20 minute run-time.

Bottom-line? This ranks higher than the prequels and that's no joke!

A gem!

[iffershortt · 10/10 · 22 April 2009]

Anyone who is a fan of Star Wars (and especially someone whose favorite character is R-2) should love this three-part film. Its loving, if stern, treatment of the tempestuous robot gives "the trashcan on wheels" great dimension. There are biographical surprises, such as his family history, that must endear the little guy to anyone but his enemies. This well-written paean to one of filmdom's unique and fascinating characters deserves to be seen as a feature on the big screen, or at least as a television special. I wish there were more installments. Everything from the performances on camera to the narration is professional. Hats off to the creators, to Don Bies, in particular, for his inspiration. Beneath the Dome is witty, funny, absurd, and--amazingly--quite touching. In fact, it is as clever a mockumentary as I've seen.

An excellent documentary about an immensely talented droid.

[lord_sauron · 10/10 · 4 December 2005]

This documentary accurately and craftily tells the story of one of the most talented and sought-after actors in the business: R2-D2. He's so sought-after that he's simply not going to accept any roles except those offered by George Lucas, explaining why he's only in Star Wars productions.

This documentary tells the story of a beautiful droid, from his early days in England to his daring bungee jump to his lost years in his beach house in Malibu. It not only tells the story of the famous droid we all know and love, but it also tells us what other people think of him. Richard Dreyfuss isn't on speaking terms with the actor, but others like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are great friends with R2.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll laugh some more... well, you probably won't cry, actually, but you'll love this documentary from start to finish. Highly recommended. 10/10.

P.S.: I agree with Mr. Jackson's suspicions voiced in the documentary that R2's accent may not be the real thing. I mean, listen carefully to his "bloops". They don't really sound like his so-called "British" accent, do they? No, sir, that's a definite sign that he may be faking it... as Mr. Jackson puts it, "Homeboy's probably from Detroit or something."

A pleasant surprise

[Mr-Fusion · 20 February 2015]

"Beneath the Dome" has to be the silliest thing I've seen in a long while, but it's all in good fun. It's like a "Behind the Music" special for R2-D2, and as such it covers everything in Artoo's life from his troubled upbringing (in a human family), his big break with "Star Wars", fall from grace into self-destruction, and fiery rebirth when the prequels were being made. What's surprising is how many people they got to be in on the joke, and it wasn't just whomever they could cobble together from the "Episode II" set: Steven Spielberg, Francis Coppola, Richard Dreyfuss, even Carrie Fisher and Harrison, although Hamill's absence was a bummer). Artoo's fitness training in the gym was a highlight. It topples over into the absurd during his failed bungy stunt, but how else could this have ended? It's a great mockumentary and a good bit of fun.

7/10