Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #170 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-04-07
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 85 minutes

Synopsis
The first feature-length production of television's hit sci-fi animated parody is loaded with all the absurd and intelligent humour that makes the series so much fun. 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. Where does this ability to send him back in time come from? Fry's backside, of course. And that's just the beginning of this wild ride, with the usual cast of characters as well as cameo appearances by Al Gore and Coolio.

Customer Reviews

A must-have for die hard fans, but...
Futurama fans-dry your tears! Fry and the rest of the gang are back to your screens, albeit in a strange new format.
The unfortunate cancelation of Futurama after the forth season lead to viewers crying out for more, so Fox finaly agreed to make four DVD movies featuring our favourite delivery boy and evil robot. The thing is, Futurama was never designed for this format, so, as good as Bender's Big Score is, it doesn't quite come up to the quality of the TV show.

What I did enjoy was the way that the extended format allowed the writers to go for a slightly different and more in depth story than normal. Basically the plot goes like this; Fry, Leela et al. are scammed out of all their money and Bender accidently downloads an "Obeidence Virus" due to naked scammer aliens fraudulently obtaining first their e-mail addresses and then their bank details online. The scammer aliens go first from taking over the Planet Express company to taking over earth. The aliens later find the secret of time travel concealed in a Bender tattoo on Fry's behind. What follows is a mix of time spheres, one-way time travel and multiple Frys and Benders.

Some reviewers have critised Bender's Big Score for being bogged down in detail and too confusing, but actually if you pay attention the plot comes together nicely and does make sense. There are some moments of classic Futurama humour, the scenes on the nude beach planet and the internet scamming scenes are particularly good. However, some of the gags are too self-referencial,for example we find out exactly how Fry's dog got fast fossilised, and are not very funny. In addition the main story-of Bender being sent back in time to steal treasures for the scammers- and the romantic subplot, though touching, don't inspire too many laughs.
And comedy is about laughs, is it not?

Overall I would say that if you are an avid Futurama fan and collector of the DVDs then this is a must-have, even if it does not become the most prized part of your collection. If you are a casual viewer who still loves the show's zany humour then rent it and if you have only seen Futurama a few times on T.V, then I think Bender's Big Score is best avoided.

Futurama: Bender's Big Score Review
The film starts with a reintroducing of each character and making fun of the FOX network for cancelling the series back in 2003. After the introduction of the characters, it shows the Planet Express crew playing limbo in one of the rooms at Planet Express and Hermes (Phil LaMarr) being beheaded by one of the swords on the wall which turns into a revamped Futurama show intro. Once the Planet Express crew arrives at the hospital, Leela (Katey Sagal) first meets Lars (Billy West) and appears to have a love interest, which enrages Fry (Billy West). After going to the Hospital, the Planet Express crew decide it is time to taking a relaxing break on a nude beach. Whilst they are lying out, they are approached by three pink soft skinned aliens that ask the Planet Express crew to sign a petition as well as provide an e-mail. The aliens say whatever needs to be said in order to get a signature and e-mail.

Bender (John DiMaggio), Amy (Lauren Tom), Leela, Zoigberg (Billy West) and The Professor (Billy West) receive spam e-mails and are all suckered into giving personal information to fake causes/prizes. However, Bender downloaded a virus from an e-mail where he thought he could get rich watching porn. Once The Professor signs over the deed for Planet Express, he thinks he will become rich beyond his wildest dreams and this when the film actually starts. The pink soft skinned aliens appear at the front door with the signed deed and Bender (with the iObey virus installed) introduces them as their new masters. The aliens use their sprongers (neck smell/sense glands) to find that Fry's tattoo of Bender is not just a tattoo, but contains a vital binary code that opens a time sphere.

The Leela and Lars relationship seems to grow even stronger the more they see one another throughout the film. Lars seems to truly understand who Leela is and care for her. The aliens decide it is a good idea to vaporize Fry in the fear that using the time sphere will destroy the universe, but before they can, Fry travels back to the year 2000. They instruct Bender to go and assassinate Fry (obvious Terminator Phone Book murderer reference here). Bender succeeds in murdering Fry in 2012, however, in 3007 Fry appears again. A montage explains how Fry lived, moved on from Leela and found his purpose from 2000-2012. Fast forward to the future, Robot Santa Claus tries to kill the Planet Express crew (because they have been very naughty), yet Lars is able to deactivate the bomb and asks Leela for her hand in marriage to which she accepts. Fry fears even more that he is going to lose Leela.

The Planet Express crew as well as hundreds of humans have to relocate to Neptune because Earth was signed over to "The New Owners". Whilst on Neptune, they find Santa who is also powerless to the aliens. Everyone on Neptune teams up including: Zapp Brannigan and Kip, Robot Santa, Kwanzaa-bot and Chanukah Zombie to take the Earth back and a space fight with the aliens ensues. From here I will not tell you anymore as it would not want to spoil the film for you, however, I can say: Fry's life in 2000 is explained, Lars' true identity is revealed, Hermes altercations with his body, wife, and Barbados Slim are hilariously done throughout the course of the film, more action ensues with the aliens, and Bender becomes a hero... Well sort of. I found the ending interesting because it was much like the show's sudden endings, but still funny in Futurama comedic way.
4/5

Picture:
The film is presented in the 1.78:1 (16:9) format. The picture was crystal clear throughout the film. There were only a few instances where the picture became slightly fuzzy for a few seconds, but nothing that is noticeable or that would deter you from watching this film.
4.5/5

Sound:
Even though the film was presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, it sounded more like a Dolby Pro-Logic II Mix. The film sounded no better than the series, due to the fact that the rear left and right speakers were barely used. However, the film made good use of sounds and music, but I just wish they made it a true Dolby Digital 5.1 mix because there were moments when it could have made a big difference.
3/5

Special Features:
The DVD is packed with extra features including: Futurama Returns! (A live comic book reading by the cast), Everybody Loves Hypnotoad, Deleted Storyboard scenes, A Terrifying Message from Al Gore and several others. The only thing I felt was missing was a making of documentary.
4/5


Review Round-Up:
Movie: 4
Picture: 4.5
Sound: 3
Special Features: 4

Overall: 4

Final Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this film and I know it will be a treat for many Futurama fans. The film has several jokes and references to the show which Futurama fans will appreciate and notice right away. I felt that Futurama: Bender's Big Score was worthy of a cinema release. Whilst it was not as good as The Simpsons Movie nor did it have as big a budget, I felt they did a great job. At no time did I feel it was a drawn out episode like I did with Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Colon Movie Film for Theaters. I found it funny, very enjoyable and as I said before a treat for Futurama fans that have been craving more since the series was cancelled.

A welcome return of a great show
I may be about to get shouted down but I preferred Futurama to the Simpsons. I think the sci-fi setting allowed greater parody and even funnier gags. I was therefore very disappointed when it got cancelled. So when I heard of a resurrection into a DVD format I couldn't wait.

As always the ideas come thick and fast with a wafer thin plot allowing a string of silly situations and parodies to crop up. Saying that I think the constant references to previous episodes was a little indulgent and I am not convinced that an hour and a half format is best for this type of show. Ultimately while it thoroughly entertained and I had a big smile on my face I didn't burst out laughing once which I found a bit of a let down.

It's still all great fun and the animation is very slick so if you've missed the Futarama gang then grab a copy but if you've never seen the series this probably isn't the place to start.