Thumb Wars

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Thumb Wars DVD Box

Thumb Wars is a short film directed by Steve Oedekerk. Using "Thumbation" — the practice of using dressed up and coifed thumbs as puppets — Oedekerk created a spoof of the space drama Star Wars with characters such as Loke Groundrunner (parody of Luke Skywalker), Princess Bunhead (parody of Princess Leia), Oobedoobie Scoobydooby Banubi (parody of Obi-wan Kenobi), Hand Duet (parody of Han Solo), Crunchy (parody of Chewbacca), Beboobeep (parody of R2-D2), Prissypeo (parody of C-3PO) and Black Helmet Man (parody of archvillian Darth Vader). Thumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle debuted on U.S. television May 18, 1999 on UPN. The TV version provided a trimmed down version of the film.

1 Storyline
2 Quotations
3 Releases
4 See also
5 External link

[edit] Storyline

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The 29-minute film opens with rolling text flying into the distance, as in Star Wars: "It is a time of great unrest in the Universe. Using the nail side of the power of the Thumb, the Evil Thumbpire has taken a stronghold in the Sacul region of the Egroeg sector." (Sacul and Egroeg are backwards references to Star Wars series creator George Lucas.) "The Thumbellion Resistance Fighters have retreated to a hidden base. The Thumbpire is constructing a big dangerous weapon thing with enough fire power to blow stuff up. If the Thumbellion can destroy the big dangerous weapon thing, they will live and the good side of the thumb will reign. If they don't there can be no sequels. No sequels means no merchandising, no fan clubs, no freaky guys at conventions that have way too much free time and no clear desire to date girls. Victory is imperative!"

Opening scenes depict the evil Black Helmet Man capturing Princess Bunhead and killing Thumbellion soldiers. On the surface of the planet below, Loke Groundrunner whines to his aunt and uncle about wanting to be of use to someone. His uncle consoles him. "Well you're plenty useful here Loke. The harvest is soon and you'll be getting help! I bought a couple of droids today from the freaky little hooded creatures (Jawas). The big one is sort of effeminate and annoying, and I think the little one has an amputee inside!" Loke runs off in a huff and meets up with Oobedoob Scooby-Dooby Benubi (aka Oobie). At Oobie's place, they view a hologram of Princess Bunhead. She informs them that Black Helmet Man is building a big weapon thing and that she needs their help. Loke and Oobie look up her holographic dress. Before they viewed the message, they came back to Loke's house to find that his uncle Soondead and aunt Gonna Biteit have been 'clipped' by Black Helmet Man's troops. Loke determines to go and fight this evil menace.

At the Cantina Loke and Oobie go to next, they meet up with Crunchy and Hand Duet. Referencing various Harrison Ford movie titles, Hand tells us, "A one armed man killed my wife Sabrina, a Working Girl. Now I'm a Fugitive and in Clear and Present Danger. I should be Presumed Innocent but they're playing Patriot Games with me. Raiders, Regarding Henry, Blade Runner, Air Force One..." Hand and Crunchy team up with Loke and Oobie as they head off to stop Black Helmet Man. The final attack is lead by the Thumbellion on a giant thumb-shaped Death Star which can spin planets until its residents get sick. This sets the stage for the final confrontation between Loke Groundrunner and Black Helmet Man.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Quotations

Oobie: "Crying is for little girls, babies, and men who just had their ears ripped off."

Strange Pilot: "I'm naked!"

Loke Groundrunner: "I want my giggle back!"

Loke Groundrunner: "Who are you?"
Oobie: "I am Oobedoobie Banubi, I have the siliest name in the galaxy."
Loke: "What's your middle name?"
Oobie: "Scoobydooby."
Loke: "Oobedoobie Scoobydooby Banubi?"

Oobie: "Touch your tongue to mine."

Oobie: "The thumb will be with you...always."

Princess Bunhead: (running out of nowhere during the fighting) "I escaped somehow. Let's go!"

Princess Bunhead: "You'll never get away with this Black Helmet Man! You are bad! You are bad and we are good! Your badness will be the end of you, and our goodness will be our triumph! Bad is bad - good is good! Bad-bad-good-bad! Good-good-bad-good, bad! Good."

Loke Groundrunner: "Harvest, harvest, harvest! All you care about is the stupid harvest. You don't care about me! I wanna see the universe. You don't know who I am inside! You never have! [voice breaking into tears] I'm gonna run away and never come back ever!!"
Uncle: "What a whiner that kid is. [chuckles] Ahem. You have a pea on your head, dear."

The Puppet: "I am a pup-pet."
Loke: "I'm sorry?"
Puppet: "Hand goes in-to pup-pet. Arm fol-lows hand. Hand ma-nip-u-lates - mouth."
Loke: "I'm not quite following."
Puppet: "Be-neath the floor, the man does con-trol me, yes! [giggles]"

Black Helmet Man: "Now Loke, you shall learn the truth: I am your mother!" (Rips off suit to reveal pink dress) "Now Momma's gonna teach you a lesson in manners!"

[edit] Releases

Thumb Wars was first released on VHS, and then again with additional features, including character bios, commentary, and a 'Gabba the Butt' interview, on DVD.

It is also available as part of the Thumb Wars/Thumbtanic Double Feature on DVD and UMD for the PlayStation Portable, released by O Entertainment and Image Entertainment. This disc features the two Thumbation filmettes Thumbtanic and Thumb Wars in that order. It also includes wraparound footage of The Thumbersons. Despite including the Cast Interviews from Thumbtanic and the Gabba the Butt interview and Character Bios from Thumb Wars, the film lacks the commentary available on the single-film releases.