DVD Review - “The Futurama Movie: Bender’s Big Score”
GRADE: A
“Futurama” is an Emmy Award-winning animated sitcom created by Matt Groening, who also created “The Simpsons”. “Futurama” aired from March 28, 1999 to August 10, 2003 on FOX before being canceled by FOX. The series has now been revived as four straight-to-DVD films that will be split into a sixteen-episode fifth season. Comedy Central has entered into an agreement with 20th Century Fox Television to syndicate the existing episodes and air the films as new episodes in an episodic format.
In January 2003, Cartoon Network began airing “Futurama” episodes as the centerpiece to the expansion of their Adult Swim cartoon block. In October 2005, Comedy Central picked up the exclusive cable syndication rights to air “Futurama’s” 72-episode run at the start of 2008, following the expiration of Cartoon Network’s contract. It was cited as the largest and most expensive acquisition in the network’s history.
“Benders” big score is the first hour and half long “feature” which brings back all of our favorite characters from the series; Fry, Leela, Dr. Zoidberg, Amy, Professor Farnsworth, Hermes and Bender. The crew is back in business delivering packages through “Planet Express” with hilarious results. The animation is still crisp and fresh and the writing has never been so sharp and witty.
Bender and Fry have always been the most beloved characters of “Futurama” and this direct to DVD movie highlights all the crazy things we love about them. In “Bender’s Big Score” Planet Express has become the victim of a hostile takeover by a company of lurid spammers and the new bosses want to send Bender back in time to steal the world’s most valuable treasures. Watching the crew back in action is a welcomed sight and the humor in this film is just as good as any big screen animated feature that is released today.
“Bender’s Big Score” has a great way of weaving many past episode plot lines through out the story, giving a nudge to die hard fans. If you haven’t had a chance to get into this irreverent cartoon then now is your chance. The return of “Futurama” has been long over due. I am thankful that the Comedy Central and FOX gave new life to this original show. Just like “Family Guy” this show will be around for a lot longer thanks to committed fans and grown up kids like me, check it out!
Leave a Reply