June 11, 2012

Filthy Review - Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996)

Review by Jude Felton

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie is the big screen spin-off to the popular TV series which ran from 1988-1999. That being said you do not need to have watched the show to enjoy this spoof science fiction flick, it works well on its own and is completely daft. As far as party movies go this one is right up there.

The premise is ridiculously simple and simply ridiculous; the mad scientist Dr. Clayton Forrester has plans for world domination, as they always do, by ways of subjecting the population to crap movies. Enter Mike Nelson, who along with his robot buddies, becomes the test subject, as they are forced to sit through the 50s movie This Island Earth. They then proceed to give a running commentary of the unintentionally, or possibly intentional, movie which is pretty damned hilarious to these eyes and ears.


As you can see MST3000: The Movie is not a movie that takes itself at all seriously, not in the slightest, but that is the whole point. The wrap-around scenes featuring Mike and the evil Doctor are shot to look just as bargain basement as humanly possible, and indeed spoof the style of movie that Mike is subjected to.

Where the movie really succeeds is in the altered dialogue to This Island Earth and the running commentary that goes along with it. I honestly though it was hilarious. Sure, it stupid and puerile, but damnit it was fun to watch. Granted, a few of the jokes fall a little flat, and came across as somewhat forced, but when they work they work really well. Also, some of the jokes are products of their times and may well go way over the heads of some younger viewers. There are plenty of pop culture references from the 80s’ and early 90s’ which I instantly got, but then these were nods to movies and events from my teenage years.


This really shouldn’t dissuade you from checking it out as it is still funny, although without the jokes hitting home there is an element of pointlessness to events. Like I said though, most hit home with me and when they did I was a laughing fool.

MST3000: The Movie is most certainly not a movie to be taken seriously; to do so would be to miss the point entirely. It’s a fun party movie that will definitely benefit from being watch with a group of friends, preferably friends that bring alcoholic beverages along with them.


This new R2 UK release isn’t rammed full of extras; there is a short ‘Making of’ featurette, along with a trailer and stills gallery. The laughs I got from the film itself though make this a worthy viewing though.

I really enjoyed this movie. Sometimes it’s great to just put on a movie that doesn’t require any deep thought and just get swept up in the humor of it all. This is one such movie.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie is available now on Blu-ray and DVD and is released in the UK by Mediumrare Entertainment.


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