 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs
- Review Date: June 18, 2008
- NR
- Genre: Comedy
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
More risque, adult jokes in TV show's feature DVD.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this animated straight-to-DVD movie (the second of four Futurama films) has the same level of sassiness as the Fox TV series. There's bad behavior galore, lots of cheekiness and discourtesy -- oh yes, and tons of intergalactic warfare, planetary peril, diabolical scheming, threats of human obliteration, pummeling, name calling, and the like. A god-like alien who seems at first fiendish, attaches its tentacles to the bodies of humans in what is later explained to be copulation. At one point most earthlings are mind-controlled into cult-like compliance. It's however mostly harmless silliness and so "out there" as to have minimal real-life relevance.
What's the story?
Following directly after the events of the first in the DVD series, Bender's Big Score, a giant rift in space and timeallows an alien monster to invade Earth. The monster takes control of Fry (voiced by Billy West) making him Pope of a new religion or cult, that spreads among earthlings who are grasped by one of the giant tentacles of the alien. The tentacles are later revealed to be "gentacles" and, as it turns out, the alien (Yivo, played by David Cross) has been having his version of intercourse with all the humans. He convinces them that he really wants love and a meaningful relationship (with all of humanity). Only Leela (Katey Sagal) Fry's gutsy, competent one-eyed pal, is skeptical.
Is it any good?
A straight-to-DVD movie, THE BEAST WITH A BILLION BACKS is a lesser and longer version of Futurama, which is itself a lesser version of the brilliant and enduring Simpsons TV show. Which basically means this is a stretched-out form of a water-downed copy of a TV classic. That said, it does have some elements of Matt Groening's zany wit, his absurdist humor, and quick-as-lightening visual gags.
These moments are partially eclipsed by an over-stimulating assault of goings on that go by much too fast. From an adult perspective, this is a case of more being less. The antics are nonstop, preposterous, and often silly enough for the young, but the actual storyline, which concerns dating, polygamy, sex, and in essence, going steady with and shacking up with God, is a tad complex and too sophisticated for younger viewers. Still, Futurama's vast creativity, out-of-the-box storytelling, and eye-catching animation makes this movie, like the series, terrifically unique.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about what the future might look like in 100 years. What transportation will we have? What will science be capable of? Would you want to be frozen (as Fry was in the original Futurama back-story)?
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Kid, 11 years old
June 16, 2009
AGE
Great Movie. Mild Concerns
I have always been a really big fan of the series so this was a real enjoyable movie for me. I think though even if u don't watch the show or haven't seen it this movie will still be funny. The content is iffy but it's only references, and most kids won't get it in the first place. So all in all great movie for 12 and up.
What other families should know:
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Parent of 5, 9, 11, and 14 year old
January 4, 2009
AGE
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Kid, 11 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
A funny movie for 12+
The series was always funny, and the movies follow after. This movie was not as bad as the last movie, but still contains some innapropriate material I say it really depends on how mature your kid is, not how old he is.
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Kid, 11 years old
November 25, 2009
AGE
zapp my concern
zapp
What other families should know:
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Futurama
This is a adult show younger kids shouldnt watch it
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| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment |
| Director: | Peter Avanzino |
| Cast: | Billy West, Katey Sagal, Maurice LaMarche |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 90 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 19, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | June 23, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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