The Good
Fans of this show can safely know that things are taken to another level here.
The Bad
They make navigating around the extras in this 2-disc set very difficult.
It may be hard to say or even remember the complete title of but Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters is just what the doctor ordered for fans of this show. The plot might be hard to follow but this wag did his best to keep up. It starts off with Meatwad, Frylock and Master Shake being chased by a cursed piece of exercise equipment. Later, while still fleeing for their lives these three “heroes” find out that the Plutonians have joined forces with some intergalactic (I think) Christmas being and things are suddenly taken to another level in this bid for the universe.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Okay, I think that about covers it. Are you confused yet? Well, if you are I wouldn’t worry because chances are that you are not the audience for this film. Should what I wrote up top make complete sense then you are in the right review.
Now, to say that I liked Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters might be a bit a of a stretch. This film is filled with all kinds of wrong, but it’s all kinds of wrong done in an animated sense so that makes it okay. I enjoyed this film but I will admit that like South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut it does go over the top a lot at times.
Features
Disc 1
Behind the Scenes Thing We Shot Wednesday Night
Despite featuring poor sound, this is a pretty cool, fly on the wall, off the cuff look at the creation of this show. We see table reading, people sitting around discussing the finer points of the film, editors sitting in their edit bays, script revision sections, music being created and a lot more. What I liked about this is that it didn’t feel like the typical sort of puff piece that comes with most DVDs. There was a realness and richness to this section that seemed to happen in-spite of itself.
Sizzle Reel
If you’re expecting some amazing, illuminating commentary track by the Aqua Teen Hunger Force creators, I would look elsewhere (but chances are you still won’t find it). Handling these duties are Patti Smith, Todd Hanson, Dana Snyder and Fred Armisen. These folks comment on everything and the interesting part is that that always leads to another story that sort of gets off on a point unrelated to their initial thoughts. At times I thought that they were trying too hard to be funny, but I guess when you get genuinely funny people in a room they are bound to try and one up each other. Patti references her kids, while others talk about Bunuel films inspiring this one, who played what roles and just about everything else under the sun.
Art/Music Gallery
Disc 2
Promos
These feature Dana Snyder and are actually pretty darn hilarious. He asks people questions about the movie however it is clear that they are sometimes talking about a film other than Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters. Simply looking at the people he’s interviewing it is clear that they don’t know what he’s talking about, but Snyder is a character and he manages to keep a straight face through all of this.
80 Minute Deleted Movie (Yes, they’re serious)
Deleted Scenes and Fake Endings
There are 8 Deleted Scenes and 10 Fake Endings all of which look like they were created to be accidents. I love that some of the Deleted Scenes are 14 seconds longer while others run a whole 22 minutes in length! These could rightfully comprise a whole other film, so if you’re doing the math at home the Aqua Teen Hunger Force clan has given us a total of 3 movies on this two disc set. The extra scenes were all of various quality and comedic levels, but something tells me the extras on this release were more for the creators than for the fans. Decide for youself and enjoy wading through everything that is being offered here.
Music Videos
Dana Snyder and Bob Odenkirk Interviews
Having watched my share of public access film shows, I will say that this mock version featuring Snyder and Odenkirk was pretty much on the money. From the way the set looked, to the questions that Odenkirk asked as the interviewer… it all combined to give viewers a really funny experience. In fact, what was most surprising about this (and should probably tip off fans if they aren’t familiar with what Odenkirk looks like) is the fact that Snyder plays things so straight here. After being asked dopey questions, many of which don’t even pertain to this film, Snyder seems amazingly reserved… for the most part. This segment is a must watch.
Video
Widescreen Version. Presented in a “Letterbox” widescreen format presenting the “scope” aspect ratio of its original theatrical exhibition. Enhanced for widescreen TVs. The animation for Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters certainly isn’t making the creators of Ratatouille run for the hills, but at the same time we are clearly talking about two different styles and tastes. On the whole this DVD looked really sharp. I didn’t find there to be any real hits or dirt on the DVD, and it seems like our friends at Warner Bros. have given this movie its deserved treatment.
Audio
Dolby Digital. Close Captioned. The main movie in this two disc set sounded really good. The extras and everything else all seemed to be of varying audio quality. I normally would have a hard time with this but considering the amount of extra features, I am really not going to complain. The main movie sounded quite clear and when one considers the litany of asides and sharp jokes being put across that is certainly saying something. However, I do think that sometimes the tone of the voices and the sounds were a little too “inside” for my tastes and as a result I didn’t follow everything.
Package
The front cover features artwork that is very much not of the Aqua Teen Hunger Force variety. I could describe it but you really need to see it for yourself as it makes this movie look epic in size and scope. The back cover doesn’t even offer up a description of this movie. Rather it just lists out all the bonus features that come in this two disc set, a cast list and technical specs. The DVDs themselves are silkscreened with artwork that is very much appropriate to this film.
Final Word
As I have said, it takes a very special sense of humor to appreciate Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters. Simply look at the title and this should tell you that you’re dealing with very different kinds of animated minds. Add to this that the actual title of this DVD is Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters For DVD and I think that tells you all you need to know. The makers of this movie and this show really don’t care. They are out to make and do whatever they want with these characters, and they could care less about who they offend in the process. Considering the bomb scare that the guerilla marketing of the film initially touched off, to me that was the Aqua Teen Hunger Force gang’s coming out party.
As a film going experience, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters is clearly playing toward its fanbase (as I have mentioned above). Yet, it is apparent that the minds behind this film are smart, comedically quick and devilishly clever.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters was released April 13, 2007.
