I’m fairly familiar with the “Mystery Science Theatre 3000” show and I think it’s funny (I’ve also sadly seen a lot of the stuff they’ve reviewed). In this big screen version, they take a look at “This Island Earth” (which I’ve sadly seen). You’ll notice this is substantially shorter than any episode of the show and this is the only time you won’t see the entire movie.

After a reasonable spoof of a scene from “2001: A Space Odyssey”, Mike Nelson (Himself) and his robot buddies, who are stuck in space, are tasked by the nutty Doctor Forrester (Trace Beaulieu) with watching another horrible movie. This time, it’s “This Island Earth”. Why do they watch it? Well because Forrester will torture them if they don’t watch it. Mike and company then make wisecracks throughout the movie.

Acting isn’t the movie’s strong point, which is a little ironic as they often poke fun at the acting in various movies. The character Mike is alright. The robots are a little bland like Mike but I guess they are okay. Mike and his mechanical pals talk about really geeky stuff such as the flight simulator that was featured in Microsoft programs. Doctor Forrester is a little more interesting than Mike but that doesn’t mean too much.

Despite the fact it’s not exceptionally funny, “Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Movie” does feature some quite funny gags every now and then. The humour varies, which is nice. The whole premise is practically every geek’s fantasy come true (yes that sadly includes me). You don’t have to know the show to see it either as everything is explained near the beginning. The show and the movie have helped shape my sense of humour. Now, I make wisecracks to the television and the radio just like the people in this show. If it can do that for me then I say give it a watch.