BLU-RAY REVIEW: Futurama Volume 6

[JeffSaylor]

A must-own for all fans of nerdy science fiction comedy goodness...

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Good news, everyone! From Simpsons creator Matt Groening comes another batch of your favorite animated comedy, FUTURAMA VOLUME 6. Co-developed by David X. Cohen, these thirteen all-new episodes of the Emmy Award-winning program are a must-own for all fans of nerdy science fiction comedy goodness. Once again, and true to form, the show reprises our favorite characters from the delivery service Planet Express along with our favorite voice-actors. The non-too-bright Fry, wise-cracking robot Bender, captain Leela, Professor Farnsworth, medicine crab Zoidberg, and many more all return.

Volume 6 is available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats with some great bonus features available to both. You’ll find the sexy one-eyed alien Leela on the cover of this 2-disc set in a slim environmental-friendly paper packaging. While I appreciate the effort, the disc has a 100% higher chance of falling out of the sleeve if held upside down (so don’t do that, even by accident!).

The thirteen episodes are sure to please but the real highlight for me is the episode “Reincarnation” where the entire gang is treated to three different animation styles: classic black and white, 8-bit video game, and Japanese anime. Not only is it a treat to see the show in these alternate styles, it also opens it up for gags that couldn’t be done before.

Another favorite episode parodies the popular children’s show Yo Gabba Gabba in episode “Yo Leela Leela” where Leela creates a hit children’s television series; but it’s when the show introduces the audience to some interesting scientific ideas and concepts that makes the show truly memorable. In the episode “Overclockwise”, Bender evolves into a godlike being after vastly increasing his processing power. This episode was intended to be a potential series finale but “Reincarnation” instead became the season closer, with 26 more episodes on the way for 2012 and 2013.

It really is an interesting history for the show to have been cancelled so many times but still shows its relevance. Futurama, for every low-brow joke has some of the smartest writing in television today. If you loved the first five seasons and the direct-to-home video movies, then Futurama vol 6 will be another fun romp on your hi-definition television set.

Bonus features include:

* Full-Length Audio Commentary on All Episodes – With Matt Groening, David X. Cohen, writers, directors, producers, and cast, the commentary is an entertaining behind-the-scenes look at the making of each episode. Or it’s often a glimpse of grown adults laughing about silly things.

* Professor Farnsworth's "Science of a Scene" – Professor Farnsworth takes us on a trip to show us how one scene of Futurama gets made from start to finish with interviews with storymen, producers, artists, and sound technicians. But nothing from music guy Christopher Tyng?!

* Reincarnation Explained! With Director Peter Avanzino – One of my favorite episodes this season gets a further behind-the-scenes look into the making of the episode.

* Futurama F.A.Q. (Frequently Axed Questions) – Bender reads questions submitted through emails, twitter, whatever and they get answered by various Futurama staff.

* Deleted Scenes – Find out what’s found on the cutting room floor, including the original ending to “Yo Leela Leela”. See what made Matt Groening uncomfortable!


Review by David Yeh

Futurama Vol 6 courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

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