Review: "Robot Chicken: Star Wars" (2007)

The gist: In 1977's "Star Wars", there's a throwaway line where Luke Skywalker, having copped chores from his Uncle Owen, whinges he'd planned to go "to Tashi Station to pick up some power converters". "Robot Chicken"'s take on what might have been depicts Tashi Station as a strip club and the Power Converters as a trio of exotic dancers, with Luke peeling off bills ready to stick in their garters. That's the sort of in-jokey skit you can expect from this half-hour "tribute".

Selling points: Fanboy humour delivered through a unique combo of stop-motion puppetry, lovingly recreated backdrops, silly music and over-the-top dialogue (hearing Boba Fett talk dirty to a frozen Han Solo is hilariously creepy). There's a level of extras usually only seen on real "S/W" DVDs – the behind-the-scenes and bonus footage are longer than the main feature and there are several commentary tracks.

It's kinda like: An episode of the "R/C" TV series, but with the blessing of Lucasfilm – a mobbed George is shown riding a costumed fan to safety at a convention – and a boosted budget. Obviously, it's also like bits of the six films it lampoons.

Final word: Where else are you gonna see a cheesy ice-dancing musical set on Hoth called "Empire On Ice"?

[Australian DVD release date: August 6]