5/5 Got What I Wanted . . .
  by John Jones (Chicago)
. . . but this has to be the worst Futurama episode ever. (Especially the ending.) Just saying.

4/5 Good news, Futurama lovers!
  by B. Lindsey
Ah, Futurama. How we missed you. When Futurama was cancelled, everyone died a little on the inside. When they announced it would return, everyone cheered. When they announced that first would come several made-for-DVD movies...well, let's just say us fans were apprehensive.

The success of Bender's Big Score changed that. Seeing that a Futurama movie could not only live up to the quality of the show-but even possibly surpass it-was, as the Professor would say, wonderful news. Beast with a Billion Backs instantly rose to the top of my most anticipated lists for this summer, and I have to say it delivered.

Unlike Big Score, Billion Backs is more new material and less reliance on nostalgia. Where Big Score got their laughs from bringing back characters and tying together refrences in zany ways, Billion Backs has little to do with the show itself. The story takes place directly after Big Score, after the rift in the universe tears space asunder. The earth is panicking, and scientists are gathered to find a solution. After much debate (and Death Ball), the Planet Express crew is sent to man an expedition to the rift when they discover that nothing mechanical can pass through.

Hurt, Bender returns home and sulks while humanity and the other organic lifeforms plan ways to destroy whatever universe lies on the other side. During his sulking, Bender meets up with the League of Robots, an all-robot group originally designed to destroy humanity, but which has since lots its purpose.

Meanwhile, Fry stows away on a military spaceship (bet you can guess who the captain in charge of the mission is!) and flings himself into the other universe, trying to escape from it all. What Fry ends up finding (and bringing back with him) will forever change the course of our galaxy's history.


CONTENT: 4/5

The story in Beast with a Billion Backs isn't the greatest we've ever seen from the series, but it definitely belongs with the other strong episodes and Big Score. The interaction between the various characters goes to a level deeper than the show did, and we see new aspects of people we thought we already fully understood.

David Cross provides the voice for the titular beast, and does an amazing job making it one of the more memorable cameos in the history of Futurama. If you're a fan of the series, this is definitely a must-watch story arc which is sure to bring a smile to your face with the witty writing we're so used too.


VIDEO: 3.5/5

The movie's animation is about par with the series, but nothing about it really blows you away any more than the episodes on DVD or Big Score. Colors and the design of some of the elements is nice, but I feel like BwaBB takes less chances with the art direction than past Futurama works, and relies heavily instead on the earth and other familiar locales. The only truly new and original locale (which you'll see near the end of the movie) isn't exactly original in its design.

For you videophiles, though, the transfer is nice and smooth with no noticeable fading, is in native widescreen, and although there are a few grainy moments overall the blacks stay dark and consistent.


AUDIO: 4/5

The audio might not be as technically impressive as other movies, but the voice acting remains superb, and shows why Futurama was one of the most popular (and most respected) cartoons of all time. David Cross's work in this is tremendous, and only makes me want to have him become a regular contributor to the show once it's back on the air. Toss in 11 cast commentary tracks, and you're all set.


REPLAY: 5/5

Like the show, the replay value for Beast with a Billion Backs is off the charts for those who enjoy the show. Jokes remain funny and stand up well to repeated viewings.


EXTRAS: 4.5/5

You have to hand it to the Futurama crew, because they certainly know how to stock their products. Other than the aforementioned 11+ commentary tracks, Beast with a Billion Backs features deleted scenes, a short piece on David Cross's participation, a history of Deathball, a look at the next Futurama movie (the fantasy-based Bender's Game), and best of all, the entire 30 minute episode one could have watched by playing through the Futurama videogame. I never enjoyed the game enough to play through to view the story, but now you can watch it in its sorta-3D goodness uninterrupted.


OVERALL: 4/5

Beast with a Billion Backs isn't the best thing Futurama has ever produced, but it's certainly not in the bottom half. It's a very solid production for fans used to the show, and is a must-own for any fans.

1/5 Futurama: Beast with a Billion Backs
  by Jason Wood
I love this movie, but there is a big scratch shortly after the credits. You have to skip the scene and then backtrack to just after the scratch to watch. Lame.

5/5 True review
  by Justin Harrison
Hillarious movie, awsome worth buying!!! If you love futurama you'll love this movie, I wasn't hesitant at first got it and it is just as hillarious as the tv series and same feel, but it goes on much longer so you get to enjoy the same episode way longer, worth watching!!! Thanks for reading, Just want to give an honest oponion that is not from a twelve year old!

5/5 A little weird but definitely fun
  by Russell Vitrano III (TP, IL)
After seeing Bender's Big Score (which I didn't hate), I was a little worried about this new Futurama movie. As it turns out, however, if you don't mind the concept of essentially being mated with by a giant multi-armed monster the size of a planet who sticks his "genticles" (yes, it is a combination of two words and is as bad as it sounds), then this movie is fun. If that aspect of the plot is too weird, there's a really fun side plot with Bender and the other robots. Yes, it comes into play toward the end of the movie, but other than that is completely unrelated (classic futurama). The deleted scenes are great too, including the alternate opening.