[SPOILERS]
Alright saddle up folks this is gonna be a
Long One.
So I grew up with Futurama from way back in my day. Never watched broadcasts but DVDs had my back. But I knew that it had been of the air for a while. Then BAM!
Direct-to-Video Movies. Only watched two back in the day: “Beast with a Billion Backs” and “Bender’s Game”. Eventually with the rise of Streaming Services and Reruns on Comedy Central, I’d catch the other two later in my Youth. I Love Futurama A Ton, No Doubt About That. But I wanted to revisit them nowadays and see what I can pull from my viewing without studying the Creation of each. And thus, here we are! This is purely off the cuff and my perspective on these, so I may do a Follow Up where I discuss the Development of each In-Depth. But for now my Raw Gonzo Reaction to each sounds like a Fun Experiment. I’ll not be explaining Gags themselves much; just the Vibes, Storyline, and Themes of each. I’m also gonna write this with the Assumption you know who I’m talking about Character-Wise so I don’t need to introduce ‘em all. Alright, Let’s have some Fun on the Bun!
Part I: Bender’s Big Score
The first of these features, it definitely shows it in some ways but is still a Fun Time. After being rehired after being fired by the Boneheaded Executives of the BOX Network ( ;) ), the Planet Express Crew celebrates both on site; Hermes losing his head in a Freak Accident after a Limbo Contest involving sabers during the start of the revels, and at a Nudie Beach Planet. There they encounter three Nudist Aliens who will quickly become a thorn in Earth’s Ass. When the crew returns, a Scam Spree ravages New New York. And once Bender gets a Virus in his System after watching Porn from a Scam Email, along with the Professor stupidly signing the Rights to Planet Express away during his own lecture against Scams; The Nudist Aliens make their move. They claim the building/business for themselves and discover, with their Info-Seeking “Sprunger”(?) Glands, a Tattoo of Bender on Fry’s Ass that holds the Secret to Paradox-Free Time Travel. A Tattoo first seen on the Beach Planet. With some help from a Controlled Bender, they hatch a plan to steal Wealth of the Past and Scam the Earth from its Inhabitants. Using the Professor’s Doomsday Devices as Leverage in case anyone comes after them. On top of this relationship dynamics are thrown outta whack when Leela dates newcomer Lars, a charming and bald gentleman who Leela adores and Fry loathes. As well as LaBarbara leaving the Jarred Head of Hermes for Barbados Slim. The Nudists are gaining ground, and achieving wealth they take heed of Nibbler’s Warning of Universal Destruction and blank Bender’s Memory of the Code before attempting to kill Fry. Fry escaped the Nudists by traveling to the Past with the Code on his Ass.The Nudists would then send Bender to kill him. Paradox-Resolving Time Hijinks ensue until after a 12 Year Hunt, Bender kills Fry. Fry doesn’t die however due to traveling back in Time again to eat the Pizza he delivered to the Cryogenics Lab and getting stuck in the Tube with his past self. Things get progressively worse for everyone as the Nudists take control of the Planet. Except for a few. Leela, Lars, and Fry. Leela and Lars’ Relationship progresses smoothly and quickly into a proposal despite the Nudist’s Takeover. Fry attempts to sabotage the ceremony, but it ends when Hermès’ Duplicate Body he had Bender steal is destroyed. And Lars walks out believing it’s a Bad Omen. The Earthicans are Banished, with the significant members of the Cast to the freezing Neptune after Nixon is scammed of the Planet and team up with a Depressed Santa scammed from his Naughty List along with the Kwanzaa Bot and the Hanukkah Zombie to rally each other against the Nudists’ Fleet of Solid Gold Death Stars. Leela, on a knife’s edge, and Hermes; reunited with his Mojo and soon LaBarbara after his 2nd Setback, quickly take charge of the Assault from Zapp. Before and during the scenes leading to the Revolt we see Fry’s Duplicate live his Life back in 2000 onward, picking up where he left off. He works with Panucci and lives at the Pizza Shop, visits his family that he missed dearly, and even got to live with his dog Seymour by his side. He lives, Happily but with a Deep Sadness for leaving Leela and the Future. He is introduced to a Narwhal that reminds him of Leela on Television. He takes the opening of Whale Keeper after he helps “Leelu” out of her own depression in captivity. He grows a Strong Bond with her over the years. But the Aquarium is soon forced to let her into the Wild. Fry is distraught. Panucci in a rare act of genuine kindness has his cousin take Fry onboard his fishing vessel to search for her. Two years his search lasts until he has her captured for return to New York, much to the Captain’s and Crew’s chagrin. A Male Narwhal pursues them. Fry thinks he’s bothering Leelu and keeps them apart for a Time. With Hermes at the helm in the 3008 Revolution they take the Upper Hand. The Nudist’s Attempt to use the Doomsday Device. But Bender decided he could use it more during a Weak Point of his Virus’s Control. So he waited until the moment he was free of their control and Switched the Nudist’s Satchel containing the device. They use Bender’s Apology as a distraction to load it up and fire it at the Nudist’s Mothership. Destroying the vessel. The day is saved and all is well, almost. Fry seeing the Sadness of Lars and Leela tries to bring them back together. But Nudarr, the Leader of the Nudist Trio, survived with a “Doom-Proof Vest” (Sure, Whatever). He demands the code from Lars, Fry and Leela are puzzled. Lars isn’t phased by Nudarr’s Threat on his Life. But when Leela is threatened. He agrees. But Lars then releases a Bender Duplicate sealed by Fry set to Self Destruct and leaps on top of him with Nudarr in his Clutches. Nudarr is completely vaporized, and Lars while intact despite relatively little outer damage; dies due to Internal Trauma. The Bender Tattoo on his Ass reveals him to be the Fry Bender supposedly murdered. In truth Fry only received damage to his Hair and Larynx. Learning the truth for himself, he rushes to Applied Cryogenics to return to the Future and fulfill his role as Lars. Only splitting with Leela when he realizes the Fate of all Timesphere Duplicates. He explains this all to the Crew in a video will, and with Nibbler pointing out someone needs to get Fry’s Ass Inked with the Code before he came to the Future to make sense of all this. Bender takes up the charge, ripping the flesh off of Lars’ Corpse to apply to Fry’s Frozen Ass. Bender returns from the Limestone Cavern he stayed in during his Time Heists and meets with the Crew in the Planet Express Building. Along with every Bender who traveled in the Past for the Heists. The Duplicates all begin to explode due to the Concentration of Doom their existence caused. Then a Tear in the Fabric of the Universe appears, everyone is shocked. Bender says, “Well. We’re Boned”. And thus our tale ends.
Quite a lot for just under 88 minutes to cram it all in. Unfortunately it shows, but Ultimately Bender’s Big Score is still a Fun Time with a lot of Heart. But I’d say it’s Biggest Weakness is it feels padded with Hyper-Obvious Humor that was getting popular in Western Cartoons around this time. It can make the First Half hard to sit through if you’re not into that style. But it can be forgiven because A: This Movie Tackles a lot while trying to keep Continuity Straight. Only really failing with the fact there might be an Extra Fry running around in the Future, though my Headcanon is the Time Code helped stabilize the events enough where either one dies or they can live separately. The Code being made by Futurama’s God makes it a literal Deus ex Machina so this can be Overlooked. And B: the Writers clearly needed to get reacquainted with this Universe and Characters. And I say they did a Great Job. Plus the running gag of the “Executive Powder” was Great. The Slightly Ramped Up Edge from a show already edgier than the Creatives’ Previous (The Simpsons) also gives us a good taste of the Comedy Central Era of Futurama. This movie also sets up Two Major Themes that are explored deeper in the sequel to this movie. Connection and Conflict. This Story is all about how intertwined the two are and varying examples of each that parallel a lot of Society in the Mid to Late 2000s. The Rise of Viral Scams being an obvious one. All in all this is a Well Done and Well Performed Movie that’s just a bit sloppy here and there. The next one however would prove to be a major step up in pretty much every regard.
Part II: Beast with a Billion Backs
In the first five minutes this Movie is much better to watch. Much snappier and refined writing in both Comedy and Plot. Explores the themes set in the first way more directly without feeling patronizing about it. And is shockingly relevant today. But I’m getting ahead of myself due to Synopsis Exhaustion. So let’s get on with it. We get both a Previously On Segment showing the Rip form, and a great opening that shows off the crew in a Retro Cartoon Aesthetic. Our story begins, a month has passed since the Rip. People are growing weary of their exhaustion. Scientists believe it’s a gateway to another Universe. And Life goes on. Fry has met a new chick he clicks with named Colleen, Amy and Kif partake in his culture’s equivalent to Marriage, and the Cree go to Kif’s Homeworld to celebrate. Leela seems unimpressed, Fry and Colleen are getting closer, Bender’s hungry for some drama, and everyone else seems content. Even the Parents of Amy and Kif, Amy’s less so. Afterwards Bender wants to hang out with Fry, but he has a date with Colleen. Resentment begins to grow in Bender, especially after Fry decides to move in with her. Soon a Scientific Conference held by Stephen Hawking is attended by the World’s Scientists. Including Farnsworth and the Crew. He has a Heated (And One-Sided) Debate with his Rival Wernstrom. They settle it in a Game of Deathball. A sport where contestants have to try and get 7 metal Deathballs into the Floor Holes within a maze whose orientation is controlled by the Scientists. Planet Express wins. Though Fry experiences a Loss in the form of 4 other Boyfriends of Colleen. Fry tries to make it work but can’t reconcile it. Especially when Colleen goes from Sorrowful Sobbing to calling to another in Delight. During this the rest of Planet Express explores the Anomaly. Wernstrom attempts to call with a warning but is Hung Up on in the Rudest Fashion possible. The Crack Slam! Shortly after, with fear mounting in the Crew, Bender asks why they have to risk their Lives and why not send in a Robotic Drone. They take him up on the “offer” and he’s sent out. His dismay clear as he warns of the League of Robots. Hermes chews him out claiming they’re not real. As he respectfully state the Importance of the Occasion, Bender then Hard-Flips into telling the Rip and Universe within to bite his shiny metal ass before making Ass-to-Rip contact and flying away with the Crew due to an Electromagnetic Pulse. Visited in the Hospital by Calculon. Bender then decides to become his stalker. After an impressive showing of Delusion, Calculon appoints him his official stalker. Scientific Research of the Rip is traded for Military Action. Fry feels great loneliness after seeing Colleen beating Farnsworth and Wernstrom as Chief of Police. During the celebration/commotion he sneaks abroad the Ship to go away forever. Amy and Kif say their tearful goodbyes. Bender’s Heart is broken at Calculon’s revelation of the nonexistent League of Robots. Farnsworth is beaten to Tears. And Fry sheds tears as he looks on at his planet from the Stowaway Hatch on Zapp Brannigan’s Nimbus. Bender writes a Suicide Note before visiting a Suicide Booth. He falls through a Trap Door and takes the Initiation Test for the League of Robots. Fry makes his way towards the Rip after being ejected from the Ship’s Lint Trap, and Kif is killed in a Tragic Accident due to Zapp’s Incompetence. The crew returns to Amphibios 9 to bury Kif in his Ancestral Petroleum Pool. Having entered the Rip, Fry is Awe-Struck but is also quickly losing oxygen. We go back to Earth. Leela sneaked in the Smelloscope for Farnsworth and Wernstrom so they can examine the anomaly of the Rip while in Prison, which after making a Breakthrough they escape thanks to Farnsworth making a Deal with the Demon Pazuzu in the Past. Granting him a limited wish count to which he only has one left. All the while Bender integrates himself snuggly in the League, quickly building Tension with Calculon. And as Fry runs out of Oxygen he finds a Gigantic Creature who’s Tentacles breach the Barrier and towards Earth (And Assumedly The Entire Universe). A battle ensues, led by a Brannigan remotely operating his ship from an Applebees as our two scientists attempt to shroud the Earth in a Diamonddillium Barrier. The Tentacles Prevail. Expose Fry as scklhis First Convertee. And Fry Evangelizes the Love of the Tentacle. Chaos ensues as citizens are forcefully converted. Fry tries to reason with the Crew with a Tearful Story of the “Monsterpus’s” Billions of Years spent longing for our Universe. Fry is the Pope of this Indestructible Creature’s “Religion”. The Earth is quickly overtaken despite resistance. Pretty soon the only ones left are Leela, Amy, and Zapp. All of this seemingly happening in a matter of Weeks if not Days. Fry even confronts a captured Colleen about her Selfishness before agreeing with her rebuttal and stalwart stance. Then inducting her to the Tentacle as well. Bender helps the trio escape and attempts to hide them in the League of Robots (Literally). But they’re quickly found out and flee. The League begin to mock Bender, Calculon the most. But Bender quickly approaches his former Idol (For Now Former) and challenges him to a duel on the Field of Honor. Evading Capture, the trio find an Abandoned Bootlegger’s Cabin from Soup Prohibition. With Food and Shelter they let their guard down for the night. As Leela sleeps Amy weeps. Zapp soon joins her and through either sheer delusion or utter arrogance he convinces Amy to sleep with him. Leela discovers this the next morning, and as Zapp strokes his ego; he and Amy are taken by the Tentacles. Through her refined reflexes Leela is able to get an opportunity to both escape the Tentacular Grasp and cause the Beast to damage itself. She then takes the flesh and escapes to Planet Express in order to examine it. She makes a revelation before seemingly being captured by Farnsworth. The next day. Fry is the Vessel for the Beast to Speak. Sklhis name is Yivo. A Genderless Being that existed before the Big Bang, dwelling alone it it’s Universe. Sklhe witnessed our creation, and became Instantly Attracted before realizing the Loneliness Sklhe truly felt. And when Fry encountered Sklhim with similar Loneliness. Yivo decided to make contact so they could “Feel each other’s Touch”. However as Yivo was winning the crowd. Leela. SOMEHOW. Had managed to allude Farnsworth and pretend she had received the Tentacle despite the one on her neck Clearly being a Hose. This is honestly the Dumbest Part. Anyway she then reveals that Yivo’s Tentacles are actually Sklher “Gentacles”. Genitalia. This unsurprisingly revolts all who hear. Even Fry, Yivo’s Pope. As he exclaims in disgust with a Tentacle Mouthpiece protruding from his throat. Yivo goes on to explain that at first Sklhe just wanted a Quick and Dirty fling with our Universe. But then professes that all inhabitants of our Universe are sklhis Soulmates. Thank God this Movie just pretends Children don’t exist because those are some Icky Implications that can ruin this Great Movie. Moving On Swiftly. Sklhe proclaims that they’ve done no wrong. Amy refutes blaming Kif’s Death on Yivo. Yivo seems genuinely hurt, before realizing sklhe has the ability to resurrect the Dead. Kif is back, learns of Amy’s Night with Zapp and is hurt. Yivo then asks for another chance with our universe before releasing the Tentacles from our necks and giving us the Agency to pursue relations. The Committee brought together on this vote in majority favor of a Date and we are all shown a Good Time. Meanwhile, Bender and Calculon commence their Duel. With some Badass Ray Cannons that are as devastating as a Powerful Dragon Ball character. Ten paces away from each other then turn around and fire. Classic Duel Rules. Bender however takes only eight before blasting Calculon’s Arm Clean Off. As well as destroying many New New York Buildings, including the Legion’s Lair. Disgusted at Bender’s Conduct and disenfranchised, Calculon quits the Legion and appoints Bender as President . Despite all being in agreement that their date was great, the Yivo Committee agree that no sense of commitment was felt from Yivo. They agree to dump sklhim, and show the class our universe has always tried to show (One Of The Best Lines, Followed By “If There’s One Thing Nixon Is Known For, It’s Class”). Bender wishes to go with Fry and the others to Yivo’s Universe. But when he’s reminded Humans can’t go he’s pushed over the edge. With the Desire to overthrow Humanity but not the Numbers, Bender forfeits his Firstborn in a move so cold it shocked the Robot Devil. Who gave him the Damned Army he needs. They march on the Capital and declare their intent to take over Earth after slaving away for Humanity only for them to neglect spending time with them. This is likely all just Bender’s Motives serving the Army’s Desire but that’s not important as while Bender did all of this. Yivo proposed, and we didn’t have the Heart (Or Integrity Given We Were Won Over With A Comet Sized Wedding Ring Holding A Massive Gem) to say no. So riding upon Golden Escalators. The Mortals are ferried to Heaven as the Robots are left behind. Fry being the last as he says to a pleading Bender, “I’m Sorry Bender, Robots don’t go to Bender”. As he rises all Bender says is “Death to Humans” in a shuddering tone. The Mortals love Yivo’s Heaven, except for Leela who finds it all suspicious. Yivo explains that sklhe projected sklher image into the Minds of our Artists. After some time Leela finds that it may just be all the times her Heart was toyed with on Earth. And just as all was resolved. Bender, spurred on by a Letter sent from Fry, took his Army of the Damned and attempted to take this Heaven for their own. And as the battle between Heaven and the Damned Raged. Fry tried to convince Bender his crusade was a waste of Time. However. This made Yivo take notice of Bender’s Pink Sword. Causing them to realize Fry of all these mortals had broken the One Rule Yivo gave them. To never make contact with another Universe. So mortals were cast out of this Heaven’s Universe. All except for Colleen who managed to make a Truer Connection than Fry in their Eyes. Hostility quickly begins to spread among the Castaways for past transgressions. Bender, the Dread Captain of the Damned, then approaches the main cast. Fry: “Bender, why did you do it? We were all so Happy”. Leela: “And we were in Love!”. Bender: “Pfft, that wasn’t Love!”. Fry: “What!? How can you say that?”. Bender: “Because Bender knows Love, and Love doesn’t share itself with the World! Love is suspicious. Love is needy! Love is fearful. And Love is greedy. My friends there is no Great Love without Great Jealousy!”. Bender than pulls Fry and Leela into a tight, robotic embrace. “I Love You Meatbags!”. And Scene.
Is that not all much more interesting than Big Score? It really doubles down on the Themes established in the first. This is a Conflict of Connection. And in this Highly Connected yet Deeply Isolated Time we live in this is more Relevant now than it’s ever been. And it’s able to cram all these Events and Ruminations in between Snappy Jokes both in dialogue and visuals without feeling bloated. It feels effortless but not directionless which is a Hard Thing to achieve. Granted it can all be ruined if you consider Yivo’s Jammed sklher Gentacles into Kids’ Necks. But there’s a reason that despite kids being in the Previous and Future Movies, there’s none in this. This is a very Adult Story (Hence The Sex Pun Name), but is simple enough for any kid who watches to take away healthy lessons on relationships both Romantic and not. The end also gives me Strong Devilman Vibes with how Biblical and Tragic it is at times. As a kid Fry and Bender’s exchange before Fry left for Heaven gave me Chills. And it still does. “I’m Sorry Bender, Robots don’t go to Heaven” might be one of Billy West’s Bests. Everyone in the Cast and Crew brought their A-Game. And to me at least it really paid off. I didn’t just watch this Movie the most because I owned the DVD. No I Adore This Movie. It’s Casually Profound and I Love It. The seeming aversion to Polyamory can be a bit disheartening to any viewer in One. But Colleen’s Character felt more like a Lesson on how not to be Selfish in Relationships. Seriously though this Movie is Near Flawless to me. The Beginning bounces around a bit and the thought of Kids receiving the Tentacle are the only blemishes on this.
But anyway I’ll leave this Review here for now. Next time I’m gonna tackle “Bender’s Game” and “Into the Wild Green Yonder”. I was gonna do ‘em here but I’ve been writing for Hours now. I hope you guys enjoy reading this, and if you’ve seen these Movies I’d Love to hear your Thoughts. Adios, Meatbags!
Hey Chooms, hope things have been well for ya guys. Things are pretty good on my end. I’ve been spending this break getting stuff done, relaxing with family and friends, and keeping up with various Going-Ons in the communities I enjoy and/or Inhabit. I feel like I’m really getting back in the Mindset I had Pre-Covid and it’s been nice. I’m still trying to figure out how I want to go about things when I come back. I’d like to just go back to how I was in the Summer of ‘22, I feel like I was really getting a Healthy Balance of Work, Interaction, and Time Spent with my online presence then. However it was also a time where I felt Mentally Unstable. This year has been a Great Wake-Up Call. Given some Huge, Deeply Upsetting Drama going on this year I won’t name here; along with some Awesome Stuff too. It’s been reminding me to step back and Observe the Discourse before letting my Emotions get fired up. The FGC is about to go through some Major Restructuring. Animation of the Mainstream and Indie Variety is looking Excellent. Indie Horror is much Healthier than I gave it credit for a while ago. Both in Movies and Games. And even if it’s got the least amount of participation it’s had in a while. The NFT Scene is even looking Beneficial to the Art Scene, despite all the pushback Good-Faith and otherwise it’s gotten (Shout-Out Uniquenameosaurus For Doing A Thorough Examination Of The Scene And Twitter’s Animosity Towards It. Made Me Realize Just How Bad The Backlash Actually Was). There’s honestly a lot I wanna talk about because this year has been Fascinating, for Better and Worse. I mentioned this awhile ago, but I feel Humanity as a whole are at our Best and Worst right now. Things feel at their most Stable and Erratic. The Art/Entertainment Sphere is a fantastic Microcosm of everything Great and Terrible about us as a Species right now. Trust seems at it’s Strongest and Weakest. We’re living in the Age of Extremes and Duality. Simultaneously at our Kindest and most Vile. And unfortunately, at our most Earnest and Dishonest.
Working On A Bunch Of Illustrations/Writing.
Everything from my previous update applies. But my Illustrative Art might slow down in favor of Writing. Both Narrative and Analytical.