Futurama

[Berliner]

I watched Beast with a Billion Backs. I thought it was really great. A return to the old Futurama that I kind of felt was missing with Bender's Big Score.

[Cankerblossom]

Bender's Game is online.

It's good, but doesn't quite match up with the first two which were awesome. Really great continuity developments in Bender's Game though.

edit: I want to mention that while I was SLIGHTLY disappointed by Bender's Game, the invasion of "Morks" is one of my favorite Futurama gags.

[aenemaTron]

Bender's Game is officially out now, and it's really good. The Blu-ray is amazing, and the Demolition Derby looked really awesome, as did the scene with all the laser-shooting robots. Visually, this might be the coolest thing they've ever done. Even the shots of them leaving for the derby were super sweet.

I was really, really thrown by the Onion AV's review of this, which made it sound like it was mostly gimmicky pop-culture / fantasy allegory, but that part is really only the last third, if that, and besides that, it worked. Kind of like Bender's Big Score, the story was a little confusing, but it was funny, so.

I went right back to the beginning to watch it with PIP commentary, and I loved Billy West's Elderly Larry Fine impression: "When Moe slapped you, you stayed slapped."

[jon]

I just watched this and I...pretty much disagree with everything Tron said. I really, really didn't care about the fantasy parody part of it, and the first 20 minutes is basically a jumbled mess. The whole movie felt like they had two story ideas and couldn't figure out how to synthesize them, so they slammed them together in the most awkward way possible, with no real logical explanation as to why they were connected. By the time they got back to the "real plot" (more than 30 minutes later), I had completely forgotten that was, which is fine, because it was resolved in about 30 seconds anyway.

There were also several jokes that felt like they could've been on "Family Guy,"* and several jokes that seemed to violate the "we're in the 31st century now" premise of the show. There were some jokes and scenes that I laughed at, but I don't think I'd watch it again.

On the plus side, I enjoyed the promo for the next one more than I enjoyed the promo for Bender's Game, so maybe there's some hope for me yet.

* I don't mean this for good or for ill, just that they didn't feel like "Futurama" jokes.

[aenemaTron]

Yeah, you know the whole dice thing was confusing. I am curious about the jokes you thought were bad or weren't futury.

[jon]

I've softened my stance a little bit, not that I decided that the movie was any better, I just figure this one was aimed at people who love the Lord of the Rings movies and Dungeons and Dragons and that I'm not one of those people. Oh well.

I can't remember all of the jokes I didn't care for, but the few I can I'll put in spoilers so as not to ruin them for people who haven't seen it yet:

Spoiler:  

Early on, Bender telling Leela to "vent on her blog." This one bugged me because this means a.) apparently blogs survived until the 31st century, and b.) this is the first we're hearing about it.

The Dixie Chicks thing also confused me, because instead of laughing at the joke I kept wondering why they didn't end up as heads in jars.

I just didn't think Mom was as funny as she was in some of the episodes.

One thing I thought was a bit FG-ish was when the robots were shooting at Planet Express (when Fry, Leela and the Professor were trying to get into the factory, or something), then one of Mom's sons said something, and one of the robots turned around and kept shooting. This was okay, but then a second robot did it, and by the time the third robot turned around and shouted "What are you guys saying?" I thought we were in FG territory.

When Fry was looking into the pool of water and it turned into a knife infomercial, I thought it went on a bit too long. The length of it and the fact that Fry didn't say anything to interact with it also felt a bit like FG.

Having Amy and Leela (or whatever their LotR character names were) start making out, then have Fry and the Professor watch them making out instead of completing their task, and that being the entire joke, felt like something I'd see on a lesser show (Drawn Together maybe?)

I cringed a bit when the dumb son told the Professor he was his son by quoting Star Wars (and at the fact it went to a Star Wars reference so quickly) - I get that they flipped it by having the son give the speech, but that scene has been referenced so much in so many places I was surprised to see Futurama do it in 2008/2009.

I also groaned out loud at the "So it's come to this; a dungeon, and dragons" line, even though I remembered it from the trailer

Anyone is free to disagree with me, of course. There were parts of the movie I genuinely enjoyed,

Spoiler:  

from about the owl extermination scene up until they go into fantasy land

I just feel like if you aren't a huge fan of Lord of the Rings, Dungeons and Dragons or other fantasy movies/books, there wasn't much to connect with.

[Keith Whitener]

For me, a clear indication of my lack of enjoyment is when I start thinking about how long the movie is, how much longer it's going to go on, how surprised I am that it's not over yet, etc.

Also, I didn't like the heavy-handedness and outdated nature of the film's topical humor, namely all the oil themed stuff.

Here's a the trailer for the 4th film: the plot sounds interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NeQ6...eature=related

According to David X. Cohen, the movie will have a "real epic sci-fi story that involves this ancient battle that's been going on for billions of years and our crew, of course, ends up in the middle of that. It ends on a real sweet note and we'll be content with that if it's the last we ever do."

According to the DVD Commentary of Bender's Big Score, the truth about the mysterious "Number 9 Man", a recurring background character from the first two seasons and films, will be revealed, and he will be given a speaking role.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futuram...d_Green_Yonder

The Number 9 Man makes me think of the G-Man from Half-Life.

[adamkomar]

Sounds like you're taking the movie too seriously, jon. The show had numerous instances that didn't make sense for the 31st century and I always shrugged it off. When it comes to a comedy cartoon, especially one that's completely wrapped in fantasy, I really don't try to make sense of it. I just enjoy what's thrown at me and laugh it up in the context it's delivered.

[BillBrasky]

Apparently "Into the Wild Green Yonder", the 4th Futurama DVD movie, has leaked. Just letting you all know.

[Berliner]

So...are these profitable enough to vindicate their creation or make people think of continuing to make Futurama in whatever format?

[BillBrasky]

So...are these profitable enough to vindicate their creation or make people think of continuing to make Futurama in whatever format?

I was just reading this on Wikipedia:

Since no new Futurama projects are in production nor have they been commissioned by Fox Studios, and given the length of time required to produce animation of this kind, it is likely that Into the Wild Green Yonder will be the final outing for Futurama. However, Matt Groening has expressed a desire to continue the Futurama franchise in some form, including as a theatrical film. Producer David X. Cohen has also stated that he remains hopeful, telling Wired magazine "I will no longer rule out any possible means of coming back to life, whether through more DVDs, webisodes or episodes.... I'm cautiously hopeful."

[mike]

I preferred the 22 minute episodes myself. Packed with funny!

[Jixby Phillips]

David X. Cohen has also stated that he remains hopeful, telling Wired magazine "I will no longer rule out any possible means of coming back to life, whether through more DVDs, webisodes or episodes.... I'm cautiously hopeful."

Please oh please oh PLEASE let it be WEBISODES!!!

[mike]

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40159


Good news, everyone?

[scamboogah]

Check out the massive billboard in the upper right hand corner of this picture of Shibuya crossing in Tokyo.

That's got to be a 'Mom' reference, right?

[pissedpissedofferson]

Is there a plot synopsis available for Wild Green Yonder? I don't recall reading one, which is pretty amazing considering the first 3 movies couldn't wait to tell you about themselves.

This might be the first Futurama movie I go into with a blank slate.

I'm scared. I don't like not knowing what to hate in advance.

[jon]

I just watched "Into the Wild Green Yonder," and I really enjoyed it, even more than "Beast with a Million Backs." There were still a few too many contemporary references than I'd like, but it's a really solid story from beginning to end, the animation is great and there are some funny jokes in it. I wasn't crazy about the ending,

Spoiler:  

because I never really cared about whether Fry and Leela would end up together,

but rest assured, this is the best of the Futurama movies and would have fit in well with the series (especially season 4).

[mike]

[youtube]Y06r95CtpYY[/youtube]

[Alex King]

I liked that interview, but I do always get the impression (pun TOTALLY intended) that Billy West is a very bitter man. To a point, he's right, but come on man...

Also, "Who Charlie, now? Huh? Who Charlie, now?"

[Jixby Phillips]

I had no idea this was starting up tonight until I watched adult swim's bumper telling me it was

I am excited, and I like being excited, I don't care if you thought the movies were not good