By Ted Hucklebuck

Back when the first of the four planned Futurama features, “Bender’s Big Score” debuted, we were on the red carpet to interview the cast and crew. Tress MacNeillie, whose role was relatively small in the first film, alluded to a future movie in which her character, Mom, held a pivotal role.

A year later, we find that “Bender’s Game” is that movie, in which the Planet Express gang is on a vengeful suicide mission to destroy Mom’s supply of dark matter (the future version of crude oil) with an “anti-backwards crystal” (long story), purely out of spite.



In typical Futurama/Simpsons fashion, the “B story” intersects with the main plot when Bender discovers, through the Cheeto-stained wonders of Dungeons and Dragons, that he has an imagination. This, of course, causes Bender to go batshit crazy and drag everybody into his whimsical, imaginary world: “Cornwood, home of the Fancy Men” (Giving us a welcome break from the show’s usual future theme while he’s at it).

Deviating from the tired formula of Fry/Leela love stories and Bender’s alcoholism, we are instead treated to something resembling a psychedelic “Lord of the Rings” spoof. Nerd fan service is in full effect here, but the comedy is also spot on. Imagine if “Family Guy” referenced pop culture that people were actually aware of instead of trying to think of the most obscure 80s footnote possible, and you have some idea of what you’re in for.



Compared to the previous two Futurama movies, “Bender’s Game” is both the strangest and the most conventional. The first two movies had plotlines that sort of dovetailed one another, whereas “Bender’s Game” is completely a stand-alone story. Additionally, there are no songs or major guest stars present, which is a plus for some, a minus for others. I recommend that if you haven’t already seen the first two films, that you at least check this one out. And if you are one of those Magic the Gathering, D&D dorks, then I’m afraid I must insist that you watch “Bender’s Game”, if for no other reason than that it skewers you so deservedly (though not nearly as mercilessly as South park did to the WOW nerds a few months back).

CraveOnline Rating: 8 out of 10
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