Review of the World of Tomorrow: Futurama- Bender’s Game
By Chad Larson
“Bender’s Game” is the third in a series of four direct-to-DVD Futurama movies that will make up the show’s fifth season when it airs on Comedy Central.
From the opening animation that strays from the Futurama norm by becoming a trippy “Yellow Submarine” reference, it’s obvious that the subtle weirdness that is Futurama’s secret ingredient is still intact.
The story starts with the discovery of a long-lost creation of the Professor’s, and the quest to seek it from Mom. An unexpected twist causes Bender’s obsession with Dungeons and Dragons to reshape the whole world in his own way.
If you’ve ever wondered what “The Lord of the Rings” would be like if the screenwriters were drunk, then “Bender’s Game” is your movie. It turns in to a straight-up “Rings” parody about halfway through, but it’s still absolutely hilarious. The way the creators manage to throw in all of the throwaway characters from the show’s past is even better and great for a laugh.
This was by far the best of the direct to DVD movies that Futurama has done. I enjoyed the other two as well, but this was the first one that really felt like the old magic from the show was back.
Now, being a former D&D player, I may be biased here, but the gaming references were hilarious, and the Beatles-esque intro was downright awesome. My only complaint about the movie was that there wasn’t nearly enough Zap Brannigan in it. Every show needs more Zap Brannigan.