Retroactive Imaginarium: Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

In my tireless efforts to make this site even more entertaining, I have been working with a few ideas that might lend some more Originality to it, or at least some more entertaining reading. So with that being said, I have decided to incorporate my geekness, with my love for film and come up with a segment that I have entitled RETROACTIVE IMAGINARIUM...

What the hell is that, you ask???

Well it's the "Forch" way of giving you an "In case you missed it the first time"-inspired segment. One where I may give you, the reader, the chance to check out something (Usually a movie, or TV show) that you may have overlooked in the past. It gives me something to write about, and hopefully make you a fan in the process.

On this week's Retroactive Imaginarium we take a look at my second favorite movie of all time (The First being Back to the Future): Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie......

"Mystery Science Theater 3000" (Or MST3K, as it's referred to by fans) was a "Cult" TV show that aired in the US between 1989 and 1999. Created by Joel Hodgson (Super Genius!), the series featured Joel (as Joel Robinson, later to be replaced by Head Writer, Mike Nelson) and his Robot Sidekicks who were shot into space by the evil Dr. Clayton Forrester (Portrayed Brilliantly by Trace Bealieu) and forced to watch the worst films ever made. The premise was that you (As well as Joel and Mike) were there as part of an experiment to find the worst movie ever made, which would then crush your soul, so that Dr. Forrester could unleash it on the public and take over the world (Or at least that is what he says at the beginning of MST3K the movie!)

So you're watching the movie with Mike (in this case, for MST3K:The Movie) and his bots: Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo. The movie in question for this auspicious occasion? 1955's Sci-Fi Classic (And I use "Classic" loosely) This Island Earth (Can be yours! If the Price is right!) . So while the movie is going on, Mike and the bots are wisecracking on the film, and that is where the hilarity ensues.

The movie itself (This Island Earth), like many of the movies used in the series, are just unwatchable chunks of garbage (See: Manos: The Hands of Fate, Right, Claye?) but once you throw the MST3K crew into that film, it becomes a classic! MST3K: The Movie is no exception. It plays out just like one of the episodes of the show, with the exception that the sets were a little better constructed, and you got to see more of the ship (Aptly named: The Satellite of Love) than just the bridge.

The movie itself, which was released in 1996 (Through Gramercy Pictures/Universal) is a little dated, as some of the jokes are very pertinent for that era (Like it was THAT long ago!) but there are multiple references to The Hubble Space Telescope, as well as "The Kingdome" (Former home of the Seattle Mariners).

As I mentioned earlier, that MST3K: The Movie is my second all-time favorite movie, and with good reason. It's hilarious. It was the catalyst that got me into MST3K to begin with (That, and Claye Hodge, fellow TNTM'er) and from there I was able to get into the series itself, thanks to Rhino Home Video releases (And Claye sending me some tapes)

Just to show the "Cult" status of MST3K, and the movie, in particular. When the original DVD was printed, it was so rare, that used copies of it were going for in excess of $100 on eBay, because they were that sought after. Another nod to the series, would be in the film "The 40-Year Old Virgin". If you notice in Andy's bedroom at the very beginning of the film a poster of MST3K:The Movie is hanging on the wall.


Funny story about that poster, too. At that moment in the movie, which is at the very beginning of the film, my (now ex) wife had noticed the poster, which I had as well, at the time, hanging in the bathroom of our apartment, and looked at me and said: "Oh my God, you're the 40 Year old Virgin!". It would be so true, except for the fact that we have a daughter together!

In this particular segment, there are going to be no "Ratings" for films, because these are movies or shows that I feel you should watch, for whatever reason I give. In the case of this film? I feel that you should watch this movie, if you're a fan of pop-culture gags, or better yet, if you're the type that likes to make fun of really bad movies, then I suggest that you check out Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie.


By: Forch F. Fortier (Who, after 10 years, wishes that the MST3K crew would still bring back the show, I know they have "RiffTrax", but nothing would make me happier to see the bots themselves on my TV again. But for now I'll settle down, and watch "Space Mutiny" and relax.... "Calgon.... Blow me away..."