Spring Break
'Bender's Game' will fare well with 'Futurama' fans
Justin Pacheco
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Entertainment
11/20/08 - The original run of "Futurama" ended in 2003 after just four seasons, but in 2007 is was announced that "Futurama" was making a return in the form of four straight-to-DVD movies that would later be aired as new episodes on Comedy Central.
The first, "Bender's Big Score," came out in November 2007, and the second, "The Beast with a Billion Backs," came out in June 2008. The third of these movies, "Bender's Game," came out last week. "Bender's Game" is funny, but also flawed.
After watching it, it seems like the whole first part of the movie is just a big build up to throw in the parody of "Lord of the Rings" at the end.
This doesn't mean the build isn't funny, nor does it mean that the parody isn't funny. It's just that the way they're put together in the movie seems thrown together.
The end parody of "Lord of the Rings" seems tacked on in a way. It feels like the idea of throwing the "Futurama" characters into a Middle Earth setting came first, and then the rest of the movie was thought up afterward as a way to explain how they got there.
The explanation for how this happened also is not particularly good, especially by "Futurama" standards. These are the same people who put two things that usually ruin continuity- cloning and time travel- in the first of these movies and somehow managed to make it work and make sense.
However, the logistical problems of the plot are the only problems here. The movie is funny, full of the little gags and nerdy pop culture references that the series is known for. There's also some topical humor in the way the "Futurama" gang deals with an energy crisis and suggested drilling in Alaska.
"The Lord of the Rings" parody is broad enough to still be funny even if you're not a huge fan of the films, although, I'm sure I missed a few jokes only those who have seen the movies dozens of times would understand.
In relation to the two other "Futurama" movies, this one is probably the second best. "Bender's Big Score" is the only one that is really consistently funny and makes sense as a 90-minute movie.
While "Bender's Game" doesn't really seem to need the movie format as much as "The Beast with a Billion Backs," it also doesn't have as many slow, unfunny parts.
Fans of "Futurama" will not be disappointed by "Bender's Game," and those who aren't fans should give it a chance.
It's better than watching "The Simpsons" trudge on a decade after its prime or watching "Family Guy" make another obscure reference to the 1980's.
The first, "Bender's Big Score," came out in November 2007, and the second, "The Beast with a Billion Backs," came out in June 2008. The third of these movies, "Bender's Game," came out last week. "Bender's Game" is funny, but also flawed.
After watching it, it seems like the whole first part of the movie is just a big build up to throw in the parody of "Lord of the Rings" at the end.
This doesn't mean the build isn't funny, nor does it mean that the parody isn't funny. It's just that the way they're put together in the movie seems thrown together.
The end parody of "Lord of the Rings" seems tacked on in a way. It feels like the idea of throwing the "Futurama" characters into a Middle Earth setting came first, and then the rest of the movie was thought up afterward as a way to explain how they got there.
The explanation for how this happened also is not particularly good, especially by "Futurama" standards. These are the same people who put two things that usually ruin continuity- cloning and time travel- in the first of these movies and somehow managed to make it work and make sense.
However, the logistical problems of the plot are the only problems here. The movie is funny, full of the little gags and nerdy pop culture references that the series is known for. There's also some topical humor in the way the "Futurama" gang deals with an energy crisis and suggested drilling in Alaska.
"The Lord of the Rings" parody is broad enough to still be funny even if you're not a huge fan of the films, although, I'm sure I missed a few jokes only those who have seen the movies dozens of times would understand.
In relation to the two other "Futurama" movies, this one is probably the second best. "Bender's Big Score" is the only one that is really consistently funny and makes sense as a 90-minute movie.
While "Bender's Game" doesn't really seem to need the movie format as much as "The Beast with a Billion Backs," it also doesn't have as many slow, unfunny parts.
Fans of "Futurama" will not be disappointed by "Bender's Game," and those who aren't fans should give it a chance.
It's better than watching "The Simpsons" trudge on a decade after its prime or watching "Family Guy" make another obscure reference to the 1980's.
