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Futurama: Bender's Game (2008)
Bad. An enormous disappointment
OK, so the first movie was fantastic and the second was alright. This, however, is everything that made the Simpsons bad. Completely random jokes, a completely random story line which makes no sense going from one thing to another, and what seems to be a lower production value than last time. It's just completely random. Like any recent Simpsons episode, it has nothing remotely funny about, consisting only of lead characters loudly shouting puns or other predictable jokes - because apparently when a voice actor shouts their lines or over-voices them with no hint of wit it's meant to be funny. I reckon the new Simpsons writers got to the script, because it's honestly awful: they've over-spoofed it as well, with white castle, Lord of the Rings and Star Wars all being pointlessly featured.
The main feature of the movie, the alternative world, was only shown for half an hour to make room, instead, for a sub-par story about Professor Farnsworth trying to create an energy crisis in response to Mom increasing the price of fuel. (Yes, it even looks bad on paper.) Not only does the plot make no sense, there is nothing clever done with this poor starting material, meaning there is no redemption in the jokes.
Compare this to the first movie, Bender's Big Score, and this is a travesty of an excuse for entertainment. Bender's Big Score had hilarious jokes, clever writing and an interesting plot which seemed to flow together; heck even the second film at least followed from one theme to another. This is just a mess and dishonours the Futurama name. It's the first Futurama cartoon I've ever not liked, and I hope this isn't the sign of things to come. Stick to the first two movies because this is utter trash.
The ending is also utter garbage, with clear evidence that the (poor) writers couldn't think of anything to conclude the story. Compare this to the brilliant ending of the first movie, where we see Fry's realisation of his future relationship and we find out the person in love with Leela was Fry all along, this just stops the flow of the movie by ending on a lame joke. That's all the explanation you get - one single, lousy joke.
To its credit, the side story with Bender going crazy was mildly humorous, but seemed a lame excuse to thrust the characters randomly into an alternative universe. A huge disappointment to what started out as two excellent feature-length movies. It has ended in an unfunny and completely random cartoon, just like the Simpsons right now. Here's hoping they fire the Simpsons writers they clearly employed and get back whoever wrote the first movie. And if they are the same writers, shame on you for making this. Find ONE plot, stick to it and make it witty. Please don't throw in loads of movie references, jump around the story or make cheap jokes. I'm hoping the last movie in this series is more like the first two.
One last thing - the ratings on here have been given by fans who haven't seen the movie - that's usually what happens, as we make the presumption that every piece of Futurama animation will be brilliant, but don't let the rating fool you. Watch the movie yourself decide for yourself if it's garbage or not.
Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs (2008)
Not as good as 'Bender's Big Score', but still awesome
I'm going to keep this review brief and just explain how I felt about it. As a futurama fan, I love the fact they are reviving this excellent series in movie-form. First, 'Bender's big score'. I loved the story-telling - it felt well-paced, was a true fan service by explaining many previously unknown Futurama-universe facts, and was HILARIOUS. It was a triumphant return, surpassing even the long awaited Simpsons Movie. Criticism from me is limited, except perhaps for the fact the love story is dragged out despite clearly being finished.
Around a year later, we're treated to this. Now, early ratings seem to make it out (on this site at least) that this is the best animated movie ever - however in my opinion I don't think so. Don't get me wrong, it IS still very funny and a must-watch, but compared to the last feature-length film it isn't as good. It doesn't service fans as much, with fewer references to the show minus the occasional old character making a cameo appearance.
However, in typical futurama style, the story is very original and well-paced, though there are some inconsistencies present - the main one being Fry has barely any interest in Leela at all from start to finish, but most are ones only a die-hard fan will notice and comment on. I guess it's hard to continue a story that effectively had an end in the series, but they've managed to create something entertaining anyway. The concept of a tentacle monster loving every living being in the universe opens new options for humour. I particularly loved how they treated the whole relationship like the normal process of going out with someone. Some of the jokes here are pure genius, and none are drawn out for too long.
Both are excellent movies and deserve your full attention - this is only worse by a slight (may I emphasise SLIGHT) margin. It is by no means a let-down and I hope you buy the DVD to watch it. It is another example of how the franchise has prospered and never become a mess of pop-culture references and absurd jokes or random story lines as some other shows have become... *cough* the simpsons *cough*.
Doctor Who: Voyage of the Damned (2007)
Think of every random plot line, sub-plot line and other (nonsensical) plot line and you have this episode
Note: This review basically says the whole plot.
This episode, while great fun to watch (I saw it with my family and laughed the whole way through) is an odd departure from the regular Dr. Who. Not in terms of plot line, which is the regular 'save the earth' story where only the doctor can save the earth, but in the way that it is SO cheesy and stolen.
Before I go into the poseidon adventure side of the plot, i'd first like to talk about the 'coincidental' nature of it. Coincidentally, the tardis crashed into a ship flying around our earth in 2007. Coincidentally, it is hovering over London, as all the Christmas specials have. And coincidentally (more curiously), all of the 'aliens' look like humans, allowing a variety of cameos from various BBC television celebrities - I spotted three random celebrities.
The plot itself is stolen from the poseidon adventure, with an altruistic hero (the doctor) a self-centered person, a lead female, but then there's also the two fat people; a direct rip-off, who refuse to be without each other (another direct rip-off). There are several moments, such as the fact they discover they aren't the only people still alive, and the other people die as they are not under the guidance of the main hero.
The hero has a moment where his leadership is questioned, JUST LIKE IN THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, there is a sacrifice of one person after she decides life isn't worth living without her husband, JUST LIKE THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE, the remaining people have to try and cross a rickety piece of metal to get to the other side (*sigh* i'm just going to abbreviate this to "jltpa" now) and the heroine dies trying to save the others. OK, so it was the hero in the poseidon adventure, but it's still jltpa.
OK, this is a confusing plot already, but then they throw themes such as: - the earth and all inhabitants will be destroyed, - some of the people can barely work to earn enough money (poverty), - two characters have an eating disorder and struggle with it, - the smug, rich person gets all the glory (being undeserving) - the old person gets treated to a better life (which is just a plot to make it a happier ending) - over-dramatic, slow-motion deaths and, one of the funniest themes: - cyborg mistreatment laws on the home planet of the aliens. Yes, you read that right, there is a side-plot where the moral opinions of Cyborgs are dealt with in a 'teary' death scene.
Now come on. There are a ridiculous number relationships portrayed, with too many side-characters not to care about. Had this been a two-hour movie it may have been alright, but as it stands, it merely steals the poseidon adventure's plot, tacks on some (well-done, might I add) sci-fi effects, and adds some decent humour and wit here and there. However unlike other episodes, even the serious plot lines feel cheesy.
The episode was a barrel of laughs, for some right and wrong reasons, and makes for great viewing, but then again, so do cheesy 1950s horror movies, but not because they're masterpieces. It's odd, as the episode has the general feel of a usual 10/10 episode, but is let down by poor story scripting, which is like every other doctor who episode crammed into one. I hope this isn't a sign of worse things to come.
To the writers of the show: pick a plot (that's ONE SINGLE plot), refine it, add a twist and stick to it. Don't throw in so many things it's impossible to care, and make it ORIGINAL. No more 'we're back in London' please - alien worlds or the future would be more appreciated. I believe the world is bigger than just London - it's odd that from the millions of worlds out there, we're not only forced to watch the same planet, but the same single city as well.
Overall, it was a fun watch and was visually spectacular. But the plot was just so far-fetched, jumpy and random that it really spoilt the experience for me, hence the 5. Recommended for a quick laugh with friends or family, but they really need to get back on track for series 4.
(One final note, about 10 of the plots are jltpa, so please don't steal any more plots).