Movie:
Disc:
This
second Robot Chicken Star Wars Special boasts an “extended” cut
featuring some deleted scenes that weren’t included in the original TV
broadcast.
Despite this it still clocks in at a meager 36 minutes. (To be
fair though we should mention that the original show clocked in at 22
minutes and your average Robot Chicken episode clocks in at about 11
minutes each!)
To make up for this the DVD throws in a shitload of extras
– practically anything they could lay their hands on as well as two bonus
Robot Chicken episodes. Robot Chicken is of course the brainchild
of Scooby-Doo 2 and Buffy star Seth Green (the dude with the
red hair).
It is a wildly anarchic animated puppet show consisting of often
unrelated comedy sketches aimed at the 18 plus crowd on Adult Swim, the
adult-oriented “division” of the Cartoon Network. Robot Chicken
boasts is the sort of off-beat and at times madly surreal humor that should
appeal to anyone who likes shows such as Family Guy and the more PG
Simpsons.
Robot Chicken is at its best when it geeks out and
references nerdy comic books, sci-fi movies, etc. in the process and this
particular set of sketches is brilliantly insightful and should appeal to
any sci-fi or Star Wars junkie. It
is genuinely funny (even better than the Family Guy Star Wars special)
and comes highly recommended. Only problem is that one is left wanting more
and ends up wishing that they had included the first Star Wars Special
as well!
THE DISC: The DVD producers have taken a kitchen
sink and all approach when it comes to padding the disc’s running time with
extras, hoping that some of the material will stick. There are lots of
“making of” featurettes, trailers, you name it. Some of it sticks, but most
don’t to be honest.
To be honest some of the material would only be of
interest to the filmmakers’ families and friends. (True
Star Wars geeks get a peak at the legendary
Skywalker Ranch as the Robot Chicken crew gets to watch the Special
along with George Lucas himself. Yup, you read right. This Special was made
with the “blessing” of the great bearded one. Despite this one never feels
that it pulls any satiric punches though.)
WORTH IT? It’s really funny and the new added
footage is great, but it’s still very short!
RECOMMENDATION: If you’re a sci-fi or Star Wars
fan unfamiliar with Robot Chicken, this is a great introduction to a
brilliant show. If you’re already a fan you won’t think twice about a
purchase, but we’re really hoping for a single disc containing both Star
Wars specials one day!
NOTE: It may be animated and it may be Star Wars,
but it is not for small children! Parents should heed the age restriction.
