Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm
review by Bobby Blakey
Over the years there have been some truly bizarre animated series hit the airwaves and none wackier than Aqua Teen Hunger Force that debuted in 2000 and ran until 2005 from creators Dave Willis (“Squidbillies,” “Space Ghost Coast to Coast”) and Matt Maiellaro (“Space Ghost Coast to Coast,” “12 oz. Mouse”). In 2007 the series got the film treatment with the feature Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters. Now the boys are back with the all-new original film Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm for fans to get served up with more of what they love, but does it bring the fun and laughs or will it fail to grow on you?
Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm follows everyone’s favorite rascals, the Aqua Teens: the brainy Frylock, the mouthy Master Shake, the loveable Meatwad, and everyone’s favorite perverted neighbor, Carl, as they split up then get back together to fight everyone’s favorite corporate overlord, Amazin, led by everyone’s favorite tech mogul, Neil (voiced by everyone’s favorite Peter Serafinowicz) and his trusty scientist sidekick, Elmer (Paul Walter Hauser, who is everyone’s favorite).
AS a fan of this series I can’t tell you how excited I was to see the team back in action and I was not disappointed. This film not only takes us back to everything you love about the Aqua Teen’s, but steps their game up bigger and better. From the first moment of the film you know it’s bigger thanks to an old school gag featuring a space ship that goes on way to long and leads right into a full on sci-fi action piece that is a blast.
The rest of the film does a great job holding onto what made the original series so fun while still doing some fun new things with the characters including new jobs, looks and adventures. Make no mistake there is still all
the usual banter between them all that fans want, but it actually felt like something new was being done with the cast of fun characters and in turn the movie has purpose or at least as much of a purpose this kind of movie could have.
Throughout the film there is a great running gag featuring the annoying but always entertaining Mooninites. They pop in and out as they do, but every time has a creative direct effect on the film and is too funny. There are a couple of fun new aliens as well, at least I don’t remember them if they have popped up before. They bring more ridiculousness to the entire story and fun of it all that is so great it made me eager to see more from the team.
The animation is great as always bringing the same visual style from the original with some nice updated moments that really bring it up to date. I have always loved the look and tone to this show and this film is just an all-around better version of it all in every way. Obviously this film is not for everyone and if you hated the original series then you won’t like this any better, but I loved it. Those fans out there will no doubt have a great time and lov3e returning to the neighborhood with Frylock, Mastershake, Meatwad and everyone’s favorite deviant Carl.
In addition to the film this release offers up bonus content including commentary, deleted scenes, behind the scenes, a music video and more. You can grab your copy of Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm when it hits digital, 4K and Blu-ray on November 8th from Warner Bros and Adult Swim.