Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs
On Tuesday we had friends Mike, Sonja, and Mike join us for The Movie Club meeting. We saw the new Futurama movie, The Beast with a Billion Backs, Miles had bought it on his way home from work the day it was released. It continues on the story from the last movie, Bender’s Big Score, so you’ll probably want to see that first, if possible. But at the same time, it adds very little depth to this movie, having seen the first. The movie was comparable to the last one – a little too long. While it had it’s funny parts, just like the TV shows, I was ready for it to be done before it was. Perhaps it’s because it’s been drilled into my mind that Futurama is a 30 minute show (with commercials) and my little mind couldn’t get past it. Though, it *did* seem to take about 45 minutes before the real plot unraveled. I had read the IMDB plot synopsis on it before watching it and for the first half of the movie I kept thinking, “Wow, that plot synopsis was way wrong”. And just when I was ready for it to be over, the plot started.
I give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Though it seemed a little long, it was still funny and still held up to typical Futurama expectations. And for an added bonus, David Cross (‘s voice) is in it, so you can’t wrong there, right?! For Futurama lovers, it’s not as good as the first movie, but it’s worth buying. For occasional Futurama watchers, rent it. Or pirate it. They don’t care.
June 26th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I agree with the breakdown of The Beast with a Billion Backs. I think the show itself is one of the most underrated comedies to come out in recent years, but the movie was just a little too long for my liking. And the tentacles kind of weirded me out just a little too much.
I did however enjoy the evening, and other than putting my foot in my mouth once, I felt like it was definitely a fun time. I did violate the Code of Invited Guests by forgetting to bring anything of value into the Rausch home. No chips, no wine, no desert, no children, no nothing. And I felt surprisingly guilty for someone who rarely makes mistakes (and even more rarely admits to those mistakes). Fortunately, the hosts were gracious enough to forgive me (to my face) and I will surely be remembering something the next time (if ever) they invite me over.
Although I was a little late in realizing it was David Cross’s voice in the film, it made me happy inside when I figured out that it was. I miss Dr. Tobias Fünke so much.
Anyway, thanks for having me over Miles and Holli. Sorry I’m a failure as a guest.
-Mike
June 27th, 2008 at 8:53 am
I agree with this review about the movie. I thought the first Futurama movie was better than this one. But I do love David Cross’s voice. It’s like melted chocolate mixed with caramel being poured all over my naked…
I’d give it 3.75 stars out of 5.