Futurama: Bender's Big Score

I'm walking on Sunshine!! The Future is now!
Yes! The Year 3000 is back!! This is all-new material, NOT RECYCLED or from 4 seasons offered in volumes 1-4 or Monster Fun. All new from the Simpson's creator Matt Groening and the Futurama team.

It's here the first of the 4 "NEW" FUTURAMA direct-to-DVD videos, 3 of which will be released throughout 2008. Following "BENDER'S BIG SCORE" will be, "INTO THE WILD GREEN YONDER" then, "BENDER'S GAME" and THE BEAST WITH A BILLION BACKS." The features will be cut into an episode format to air eventually on Comedy Central, not Cartoon Network.

Each of these feature the brilliant original voice talent, from the short-lived fox series: John Di Maggio (as Bender and others), Dave Herman (as the Honorable Mayor C. Randall Poopenmayer and more ) Katey Sagal (Leela), Phil LaMarr (Hermes), Lauren Tom (Amy Wong), Billy West (Fry, Zoidberg, Farnsworth, an other Futurama, but known as Stimpy and from the Howard Stern Show, West does the best LARRY FINE in the business), old school...

Not as good as the series, but Bender's Score still delivers
It is hard for an author to satisfy fans after years of absence and months of great anticipation. Ones expectations will always exceed the reality, and thus, people are always disappointed.

Such is the case with Futurama: Bender's Big Score. Have fans legitimate gripes with the latest installment in the Futurama universe? Yes. But the pros at least negate the cons.

I am satisfied with this straight-to-DVD movie for the following reasons: 1) The animation is well done. Though Fry, in particular, looks slightly different than the Fry we all remember (mostly around the eyes), it is very subtle, and all other characters look exactly as I remember them. 2) The writing is still very witty. With a plot that is incredibly convoluted, the writers were not afraid to take jabs at themselves and their plot, while at the same time coming up with new jokes and clever jabs (Bender is still in great form). 3) For Futurama fans, so many references are made to the original four...

Bender's Big Score -- Misleading title, but funny nonetheless
Just got a chance to see this thanks to a friend in the dying newspaper industry who had the joyous task of reviewing it. It's nice to have friends.

The movie is hilarious. The jokes are fast and furious. Expect the classic Futurama experience -- visual gags, great one-liners, and a ludicrous plot.

Not all of the characters get a chance to shine (Zapp only appears briefly; Zoidberg is background and unfortunately Hermes gets more screentime than even the Professor). But any screentime is good for a show that has been off the air for so long (and the reruns don't count in my world!)

There are 2 great songs, one that is introduced in the most forced way possible. The other is sprung without warning.

The plot is crazy and I won't ruin it here. Suffice it to say it involves time travel and a number of familiar cameos from season's past (Globetrotters, Santa, and, yes, Al Gore).

The title is really just trying to exploint Bender's...

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