Polished version of the usual

This MST3K effort produced for the big screen is a slight variation of the usual fare. Very funny, of course, but just a bit different.

The victim movie in the instance is, "This Island Earth" (1955). A little campy, but actually not too bad of a sci-fi film on it's own. A much better source product than some of the low budget B-movie abortions that are commonly used (and are so hilarious w/ the MST treatment). The movie has been cut down so that the whole presentation is less than 90 minutes. The cutting job on This Island Earth was seamless and the viewer never really sees anything amiss.

The off-screen skits by Mike and the Bots are fewer, longer, and of higher quality (re: the sets, props, careful scripting). It's good, but one gets the feeling that some of the ad-lib and casual fun is missing. Also missing is the catchy opening and closing theme music that (for me) helps create the whole Mystery Science Theater experience.

The treatment of the movie is well done and very funny. None of the satire ever really "falls on it's face" (probably due to the absence of ad-lib, as I mentioned).

Currently the DVD price (new and used) for this is ridiculous, running well over $100.May I suggest that you just buy the VHS. Very reasonably priced. You really won't miss anything and will save a bundle compared to the DVD.

Fan-Freakin-Tastic

This movie makes me almost pee my pants.

May your forehead grow like the mighty oak.

One of the funniest movies I own

Even though this is basically a regular episode with a slightly bigger budget, it is not disappointing at all. You get to see Tom Servo's bedroom and other part of the Satellite of Love that had been previously unseen. The movie "This Island Earth" actually isn't as horrible as some of the others they've Mistied in the series, but the brilliant riffing makes it one of their most consistently funny performances ever. I'm really annoyed that it isn't reasonably available on DVD, but at least I have a good VHS copy.

Some of my favorites:

"This island Earth can by yours if the Price is Right!"
"Wilt... Chamberlain... *snicker*..." "I don't like you."
"...at Goofy Clown Face"
"Give to daddy."
"Nothing... nothing..."
"Yeah let's get away under cover of afternoon in the biggest car in the county."
"We're having a sale, Ruth!"
"and yet..." "...rents are reasonable."
"cooler by the lake"
"And if your hands were made of metal, that would mean something."
"Mawwaige"
"Hello? Mr. Magic Plane Person... hello...?"
"That's not funny Ruth, I was a slave."
"Then I ram my ovipositor down your throat and lay my eggs in your chest, but I'm not an alien."
"vvrrrrooooooooOOOOOOM...."
"There's gonna be a Mary-Kay convention going on too, so it's gonna be kinda weird."
"Normal view!!!"
"Glad to meetchum."
"Dr. Seuss designed their planet."