One test of a good parody is whether or not it would stand up by itself, with little or no knowledge on the part of the audience of what it parodies. Though a fun film for the initiated, I'm afraid Run Leia Run doesn't really live up to this test.

Run Leia Run parodies two fantastic films - Run Lola Run (one of the most eye-popping, mind-boggling, foot-tapping films made) and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (the best of the five Star Wars films to date to the reckoning of many). It's a great idea, but somehow it doesn't quite live up to the promise of the idea. Or, perhaps, the film at fifteen minutes outlives the idea.

Adam Bertocci's animation captures the spirit of Run Lola Run more than Star Wars, though it feels a bit flat and lifeless at times. It is, however, ambitious in its scope. I look forward to see what Bertocci will bring out next.

If you have never seen Run Lola Run, I really wouldn't bother watching Run Leia Run. You probably just won't get it.

More importantly, if you have never seen Run Lola Run, what are you doing reading this review? Go run out to your local video store and rent a copy! You will be glad you did.

Done that? Good. Now you can watch Bertocci's film and laugh at all the in-jokes.

The Fan Film Menace - reviews by Adam Bertocci, maker of Run Leia Run

Fan Film Xchange - a mixture of reviewers

Fresh Bananas - you review and see others' reviews

Star Wars Fan Film Reviews - short reviews by Fetthead