CLASSIC REVIEW: 'FAMILY GUY - SOMETHING, SOMETHING, SOMETHING, DARK SIDE' BLU RAY

FAMILY GUY: STAR WARS-SOMETHING, SOMETHING, SOMETHING, DARK SIDE

Now available on triple play edition DVD / Blu-ray from FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Reviewed by Scott Weller

“GET READY TO SUCK SOME DACK!”

We haven’t even reached next year’s milestone thirtieth anniversary of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and yet the celebrations have already gotten off to a tremendous start with not one but two comic forays into the STAR WARS universe and its second film in the Original Trilogy. Despite EMPIRE’s serious, follow us into the pits of despair/we’ve been soundly defeated by the Imperials mindset, Seth Green’s ROBOT CHICKEN had already brilliantly mined great comedy gold from the films darker situations earlier in the Summer. And now, with Christmas unleashed upon us bigger than ever, its time to enjoy the grand humour of “the other” Seth-MacFarlane that is!!- in his own unique, twisted way with the DVD prior to TV transmission release of his second opus linking STAR WARS to his FAMILY GUY universe: SOMETHING, SOMETHING, SOMETHING, DARK SIDE. Be warned, all you young children and Irvin Kershner’s out there, this goes beyond anything you remember in 1980!

Though a lot of great scenes from this episode have already been witnessed in the two advance trailers for the DVD release-a serious but unavoidable problem with today’s we’ve only got a short time to hit you modern publicity machine-there’s still plenty more golden nuggets for fans of both STAR WARS and FAMILY GUY to savour within its fifty two minute duration. The episode starts with another power outage affecting theGriffin families domesticized TV viewing, sparking Peter’s second oratory helping within George Lucas’s universe. With a proceeding title crawl that goes beyond the previous films musings/fixations on Angelina Jolie as Gia, with words this time that apparently caused some controversy with the suits at TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX (leading to it needing special approval from the highest echelons of the FOX management before it made final release- it’s nice to know these guys still have a sense of humour, though, especially linked to STAR WARS!), the talented writers and production team at FUZZY DOOR PRODUCTIONS take the classic scenes and dialogue of this universal, eternally popular landmark sequel and literally sends it into outrageous new realms with totally fresh perspectives in which they are more than happy to poke firm and sometimes below the belt adult humour into it (as only FAMILY GUY knows how). And let’s not forget their clever, consistently funny swipes at some of EMPIRE’s noticeable after a few watches plot holes, too! 

New worlds, new dangers for our heroes.

FAMILY GUY without the crude humour, occasional sick visual gags and its mandate of “don’t worry, we’re an equal opportunities offender” consistency just wouldn’t be the same without it, so it’s nice to report there’s been no compromises even in this adaptation of general family fare and nostalgia, though perhaps this effort, made for DVD release first, feels a little bit more edgier in some regards as an opposite to the first STAR WARS transfer. Regular FG scripter Kirker Butler’s adaptation stays rigidly within the confines of the film, but perhaps it may be a little bit too faithful in some respects, in that some of the comedy he and the rest of the team creates feels a little restricted and could have been expanded on for even more laughs-SSSDS sadly has no classic running gag scene like the one with Peter and Brian getting the used couch onto the Millennium Falcon from the previous STAR WARS edition and I missed touches like that. On the plus side, though, there are still some great inspired creative peaks that continue to keep the show fresh and unique, including a homage to the best of bad early 80’s US advertising, especially in one scene following Peter’s rescue of Chris on Hoth.

All of our FG main characters return to their previously successful, wonderfully transferred STAR WARS counterpart roles – the force of nature that is Peter Griffin is back as Han, Lois is a defiant Leia, and an always waaay out of his depth Chris is Luke, etc. Brian as Chewbacca sadly gets very little to do this time around, though there are a couple of notable lines. And, despite the woeful lack of substantial material for Quagmire in this episode (a bit like Threepio in the actual film), we’re hoping that the sexual innuendo and dirty practises of the golden droid character will be back in a big way with the characters greater prominence in Jabba’s Palace and with the Ewoks for the upcoming EPISODE VI. Nice to see Mister Herbert as Kenobi, too, bringing a few priceless moments to contribute, even in spirit form!! As for Meg… well, I feel for her, I really do-first she was a Dia-noga in STAR WARS and now… as to what she’s become in EMPIRE, aw man, it’s just plain hilarious! It is a noteworthy cameo-after this, we’re wondering if the writers will be cruel enough to take it one step further and make her play Jabba the Hutt...

The original 1980 film’s greatest strength saw the further development of its previously established core characters, and especially the relationship between the scoundrel space pilot and the beautiful Princess. FG’s adaptation also explores that classic turf-though Lois and Peter’s turn as Han and Leia goes off into a larger tangent of male versus female spite than the film version, which is very funny- the scene between them in the Hoth medical centre being a particularly good travesty of the original’s humorous moment- and involving varying degrees of violence. We think that the behind the scenes relationship between Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher in 1979 was probably pretty similar to FG’s unique interpretation, too (Carrie Fisher, who also occasionally contributes voice over work to the show, has occasionally recalled times in which she would quite willingly have liked to have slapped Harrison when she thought he was being rude!!). A hilarious new take by Peter on Harrison Ford’s “I know” brings their relationship to a premature close that left my belly aching (I really hope Harrison Ford gets to see this scene one day!!), and will remain etched in viewers minds forever. And his subsequent visage in the carbonite block is equally priceless.

Don't upset Darth Stewie!

On the darkest diaper side of the Force, Darth Stewie has never been so bad-but I have to say it’s bad in the “I’m enjoying this like a kid in a candy store” type of way rather than a “I’m going to bash Brian to a bloody pulp” way. Certainly, being in control of the galaxy suits him well, after all his failed attempts outside the STAR WARS universe in Quahog-it must be all the black leather and the big helmet!!- and he obviously, and quite deservedly, has some of the best material in this episode, from his constant sniping with Consuela the cleaning lady on his Star Destroyer, in eager lightsaber combat with Chris (“Come on, Luke, join the Dark Side. It’s really cool!"), to letting loose his Dark Side farts within the ice caves of Hoth, his reputation as the uber star of the series, at least to me, remains undiminished. And watch out Leonard Nimoy, you’ve made a new enemy today!! As for the films shocking revelation, that now world famous and almost indestructible “I am your father” scene, well…FAMILY GUY’s version is good but ultimately kinda sidesteps the issue (though I can’t wait to see how this pans out in the next one). Credit here to the other Seth, the Mister Seth Green, as I think ROBOT CHICKEN’s take on the moment, with the original voicing of Mark Hamill, has the edge on FAMILY GUY in the humour stakes.

Past the regulars, FAMILY GUY’s SSSDS surprises and delights with its new array of characters, too. There’s the blink and you’ll miss ‘em appearance of the Bounty Hunters (with a few new striking additions!), which includes Peter’s nemesis, Ernie the Giant Chicken, as Boba Fett (who we hope will get some serious action against Peter in EPISODE VI), but it’s Yoda who has the most screen time, here portrayed by Carl the convenience store manager, and is not quite the character you saw portrayed by Frank Oz-this re-imagining sees him as someone who uses the Force, and trains Luke/Chris in it, against the backdrop of a myriad of eighties pop culture references and ideology (brilliant stuff, especially the intercutting with scenes of Dolph Lundgren in training from the abysmally iconic ROCKY IV) as well as an appreciation for the acting talents and films of Ryan Reynolds and Jon Favreau. Go figure! There’s also welcome appearances from Holden “That’s a Phoney!” Coulfield, and the usual occasional nice cameos from the likes of the two James’s – Caan and Woods. Heck, even the Beatles manage to make a quick shoe-in appearance. Sadly, there’s no sign of our other faves like Adam West (he may be previously dead on the DEATH STAR but he could always have an evil twin/clone!!) or our newsreaders Tom and Dianne in this edition, unless they had material that was cut out.

No aliens, weapons, ships, vehicle or action sequence loved by STAR WARS escapes the FAMILY GUY conversion. No stone is unturned and they mine it for everything they can comedy-wise, from Peter/Han’s Tauntaun having the head of Don Rickles, whilst dear old wheelchair Joe plays the Probot (though his ultimate fate is never seen on screen). And then there’s the return of the SESAME STREET cookie monster. Only this time as the Wampa-truly inspired re-casting! And, by episode’s end I guarantee this, you’ll never be able to look at the Rebel Ion Cannon on Hoth in the same way again.

As ever the animated/cgi movie scene recreations are first rate, and the way they’ve recreated the look and feel of the movie is amazing-kudos to all the art teams involved for their continuing love and dedication to the saga and FAMILY GUY- the AT-AT Walker battle (of which the writers show no mercy to the  lumbering beats, including the now infamous scene of one of them collapsing and painfully grasping his knee in the ultimate homage to Peter’s misfortune back in Season Two) and asteroid field chase being particularly impeccable (in fact, there were a couple of non-humorous visual moments in the Walker battle that I wished had actually been in the film). And John Williams music has never sounded better-there may even be a few cues from the original recordings in there that may be longer than I remember from the score’s record/CD releases.

With the rebel fleet reorganized in space and Chris’s new robot hand now able to hold a sausage, SSDS ends on a slightly revisionist and more crowd pleasing note than the original film’s conclusion, which left people like me back in 1980 hanging on impatiently for three years for a resolution – FAMILY GUY’s unique solution provides a cute link to another film trilogy that was equally famous and heavily pop culture influencing!! And then there’s that little matter of Lando (now in the guise of a black Mort Goldman) wearing Han’s clothes. Sacrilege!

Things are going to get quite weird!

On the bonus features side of things, there’s more than enough substantial material to take it to the top of the grade, including an excellent behind the scenes/trivia info commentary on the episode, voice commentaries from “all the usual gang of idiots” that make FAMILY GUY (including the ever versatile Seth MacFarlane, Seth Green, and Kirker Butler), a fun animatic scene to scene commentary by director Dominic Polcino, and a mini documentary charting artist Joe Vaux as he paints the ultimate FG homage to Roger Kastel’s much loved EMPIRE theatrical painting GONE WITH THE WIND inspired art from 1980 (with some nice little contributions to the short film from the great artist himself). Additionally, we see FAMILY GUY beyond the animation, as we are taken into the table reading of the EMPIRE script, which intriguingly reveals all the stuff that didn’t make it to the final cut, as well as showing just how darned funny the voice actors are even without their animation guises. I could easily have just watched the whole read through.

And the FAMILY GUY STAR WARS SAGA will continue, as, also amongst the bonus features, is a clip from the read through (which included at the table a certain Mister Dee Bradley Baker from THE CLONE WARS/AMERICAN DAD no less!) for the script of EPISODE VI: WE HAVE A BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS. Just by watching the few minutes of this, it looks like it has the potential to be even funnier than the first two instalments.

Surely FG creator Seth MacFarlane is both the luckiest guy and the luckiest STAR WARS fan (whose love for the saga is genuinely infectious) in the whole world-and he gets paid for doing all of this, and having a great time, too!! It’s obscene, but good luck to him. And hey, it could be worse-it could be Jonathan Ross doing all this instead of him! Now all I have to do is find some way to become Seth’s unknown English brother or his secret lovechild and then I’ll be laughing all the way to the bank. Don’t worry, Seth, I’m just kidding. Or am I…?

I’m more than happy to report that both FAMILY GUY and STAR WARS get the excellent treatment they deserve in this UK release that’s also available in a special triple pack containing a Blu-ray version (of which, as per usual with this format, the picture and sound is so crisp and striking, bringing out the best in the animation), a standard high quality DVD version and a digital copy edition, of which the guys and gals at FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT have come up with the ultimate stocking filler present for fans of both series. Cheers!

Now if only we got this kind of superb quality with the actual STAR WARS films themselves!

AFICIONADO OVERALL RATING-PROGRAMME AND EXTRAS: This is a worthy sequel to the first FAMILY GUY STAR WARS edition, which gets even better with repeated viewings. This release is the must have STAR WARS Xmas present of the year. Get it now, or I’ll send Stewie over! 9 out of 10

CLASSIC REVIEW: 'FAMILY GUY - IT'S A TRAP' BLU-RAY

It was inevitable. The Griffin STAR WARS universe returns in It's A Trap!. Images: FOX

FAMILY GUY: “IT’S A TRAP!”

Released on Triple Play edition Blu-ray/DVD from TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT (also available as a separate DVD)

Reviewed by Scott Weller

Note: this review contains adult material!

“We’re doing JEDI aren’t we!” So says a drolly disinterested Stewie as the third power cut in Quahog launches Peter Griffins re-telling/parody of the final (and they mean final, truly, truly final!) homage to the STAR WARS Classic Trilogy: IT’S A TRAP!

The FAMILY GUY writers and producers have always been wickedly and painfully accurate on the laughs front, and always ready to poke fun at both themselves and their FOX backers, but we’re sure that there’s more than a hint of truth within the words they've this time imparted during their now classic re-interpreation of the saga's main title crawl for the episode. With IT'S A TRAP they literally flat out, upfront apologize for the overall quality of this new adaptation, claiming that they’ve been burned out by the almost back to back behind the scenes work they’ve been doing in bringing the STAR WARS saga to animated comedy life and rushed into making this finale. Looking at the final product on screen, there may be the occasional time when they have a point, but overall I think they’re being a little too hard on themselves. There's not as many belly laughs in IT’S A TRAP, but when they come they sure do hit the spot well (one great example being Leia/Lois’s Alderaan moment during the Speeder Bike chase- an absolute gem of a scene!), still making this wrap up endeavour a welcome conclusion to a brave, already humour packed and ultimately very successful comedy spin on George Lucas’s timeless classic.

Interestingly, with JEDI having had some negative press in its original 1983 release, i.e. many critics considering it a toy/marketing commercial rather than a movie (hey, if you’re gonna say that, what about all the blink and you miss it stuff in EMPIRE?!), FG deliberately don't capitalize on such comments make any such gags or go in that direction-which is great- and instead keep to the story and the continuity they have established in their own "unique" adaptations for comic inspiration. Some might also say that there’s enough comedy, both intentional and unintentional, already in the finished film that it didn’t need to be adapted by FAMILY GUY, and you occasionally get that feeling being presented by the shows writers during varying points, but then that’s equaled with scenes where you can tell that any issues they have with the finale doesn’t stop them from loving the entire saga in general. JEDI’s selected plot deficiencies and holes, as with the previous classics, are brilliantly sent up but it’s never done nastily, with its script, at its core, being an affectionate all round win win situation to the audiences who already know this stuff, and that it’s okay to poke fun at the original film. And as for JEDI’s 1997 SPECIAL EDITION, well that certainly doesn’t get a reprieve from the FG team, with their cruel but ultimately spot-on attack on the films unnecessary extra CGI creatures-the sock puppet “add on” in Jabba’s the Hutt’s Palace is brilliant!

A different variation on The Gang's all here!

IT’S A TRAP certainly shows how big a universe the STAR WARS saga had become by JEDI, with so many characters and aliens to show, that the need to satisfy the audiences demands to have them involved in the plot became noticeably challenging when the Luke/Vader plot was ultimately so important. And FAMILY GUY’s conclusion obviously shares similar problems. Ultimately, of all the members of the Griffin family who have become their STAR WARS alter-egos, this really is the couch potato, alternate reality counter-part plonker Chris’s turn to shine as Luke, who was aforementioned always central to the success of JEDI (I’d love to know what Mark Hamill thinks of these parodies!). Totally avoiding the how the hell is he your father?Question from its predecessor, the script writers (Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and David A. Goodman) brilliantly make the most of JEDI’s dramatic core between Luke and the Emperor/Vader and truly milk from it some superb comedy gold, the standout being Luke/Chris getting angry when the baddies start verbally destroying Seth Green’s career, building further on this in the finale when he takes on Vader/Stewie (who wants a press release stating that he’s moved onto other worthy career ventures rather than just being killed off at the height of his popularity!).

Yep, that lovable little Sith horror Darth Stewie remains as brilliantly conceived as ever (look out for his hilarious apparition scene during the Ewok celebration finale!), and backed with Emperor Palpatine (Mister Pewterschmidt in perfect casting) where make a fun oddball couple to rule the galaxy! I liked the scenes where the Emperor spewed lighting bolts every which way and loose on Luke and, prior to that, when he fried several annoying children in the Death Star II swimming pool-and you never know, there may well have been a recreational area like that on the space station in the films but we just never saw it!!

The rest of the Griffin family’s part in the proceedings is not as strong but they do have a few fine moments here and there. Peter as Han sadly doesn't have as many great moments in the finale, though special mention of the scene in the Endor Bunker when he starts complaining that things are getting way too cuddly for him what with the Ewoks and all, and immediately has the captured Human Imperial troopers go out and start digging their own graves with their helmets! Priceless! Also disappointingly, after his classic "Fuck Off" response to Leia/Lois before being carbon frozen in SOMETHING, SOMETHING, SOMETHING DARK SIDE, the princess (who looks good in a slave girl outfit, too!) ultimately never gets to the chance to say it back to Peter, as the similar “I love you” scene between the Rebel lovers had done in JEDI. A bit of a wasted opportunity, I thought.

And as for those Ewoks…well, over the years they have obviously been a great annoyance to MacFarlane and his team of writers, but I have to say that I think I like these animated versions (led by Wicket, as played by THE CLEVELAND SHOW’s Tim the Bear) a lot better than the ones in the actual film! They’re ultra violent (their battle against the Imperial Stormtroopers has some serious bone crunching moments!), cannibalistic and totally feral! Oh for an alternate JEDI with these guys in!

A priceless speeder bike re-imagining.

Other FG supporting characters cameos equally prove all too brief, though Joe as Jabba the Hutt proves fun, as does the unlikely appearance of the maid Consuela within his court! Plus there’s the return of Carl as Yoda who gives us a uniquely disinterested and quick death after he tells Luke important info about his sister, whilst Quagmire as Threepio, though he has more to do here than in SOMETHING, SOMETHING, sadly isn’t as rude and crude as he was in the first STAR WARS (and I thought with all the Ewoks about there would be some sick bestiality stuff coming from his lips!), the same with Brian who really only has memorable AT-ST ground battle moment (though thankfully there’s no swinging TARZAN moment here for him to partake in!). Amongst the episodes fine comedy moments I loved the nodding scene prior and during the Skiff battle - though no fight for Peter/Han against the Boba Fett/chicken? Aw man…I really wanted to see that! Finally, old boy pervert Herbert’s return as the ghostly Obi-Wan is an absolute classic- one of those superb, below the belt comedy moments that only FAMILY GUY can get away with!

And as for poor Meg, now the ultimate clawed beak vagina as the Sarlaac. Surely, it was destiny for her to be that creature, wasn’t it?

There’s also great use of some welcome cameos linked to other sci-fi greats like LOST IN SPACE, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION and, to add to the general lunacy, there’s the return of Seventies US music favourite Conway Twitty, but with a new cgi twist! Yaayy! Plus, extended contributions of popular characters from some of Seth MacFarlane’s other output, too, like the aforementioned AMERICAN DAD, with Klauss the Gold fish (as always voiced by THE CLONE WARS Dee Bradley Baker) as Admiral Ackbar, and Roger the Roswell alien as Moff Jerjerrod, whilst THE CLEVELAND SHOW’s young Rallo Tubbs is hilarious in his interpretation of Nien Nunb (loved the scene where he and Lando (Mort Goldman) observe the Death Star’s prime weapon in action! And adding a bit of official STAR WARS ness to the project is the fun return of Carrie Fisher, this time playing Rebel leader Mon Mothma: “the second woman in the STAR WARS galaxy!”

Plus, as usual, and always fun, there’s the obligatory 80’s references from music and films, Adam West (an institution in his own right!), carbonite fart jokes, and launches into other TV realms. All blended together with the STAR WARS universe once more as its superbly realized by the shows animation teams in this third labour intensive love sonnet.

Epic visuals brilliantly recreated.

The Blu-ray presentation, as with the previous releases, is absolutely first class and is the greatest way to see it, and special note must be made within the programe of the official use of some of John Williams alternate music cues for JEDI that didn’t make the original final film: primarily used here for the Speeder Bikes chase (of which the original film’s vision of the action sequence never had any music) both they and Ben Burtt’s sound design are wonderfully crisp and evocative to hear-I hope the new six film Blu-ray movie set of the real STAR WARS sounds as good when they’re released in September!

Rounding off the presentations are the obligatory tongues firmly in cheek audio commentaries from the crew, and some fun extras including a short but sweet phone message from Darth Stewie to Chris, an easy to copy guide on how to draw STAR WARS FAMILY GUY characters by one of the series lead artists, (who also directed IT’S A TRAP): the very talented Peter Shin, sock puppet animatics and making a scene, and the STAR WARS TRIVIAL PURSUIT: THE ULTIMATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Eagerly awaited by fans and LUCASFILM staff alike (George Lucas even bought a copy of it in a Florida mall the day of release! My brother and his family, on vacation in the Sunshine State at the time, have the proof!), IT’S A TRAP, despite its makers fears (and perhaps there should have been a little bit more time allowed to the FAMILY GUY team to refine the script further), ultimately has more laughs and belly laughs in abundance in one hour than most other comedy shows have in a twenty episode run season. Like JEDI, it’s occasionally flawed but its still overall an enjoyable finale to the saga, and well worth having as part of your DVD collection, be it for STAR WARS or FAMILY GUY. 

I know that MacFarlane and his team don’t plan on doing the Prequels (joking that they’re saving them for THE CLEVELAND SHOW instead!), but the idea of Stewie as Anakin Skywalker has potential to be very funny. Perhaps they could do it someday as one episode covering all three films…? C’mon, guys and gals at FUZZY DOOR productions, think about it!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO RATING: 3.5 out of 5

CLASSIC IMAGE: MEANWHILE, ON THAT OTHER FALCON...

Image: FOX.

Watched by Quagmire Threepio and Cleveland Artoo, that other version of Han Solo, as portrayed by Peter Griffin, needs Luke's help to fight off an incoming sentry ship squadron of TIE fighters. Cue: "Duh, duh, duh, duh. Da, da, da, da, dah, dah dah..." in a classic EPISODE IV recreated moment from FAMILY GUY's still priceless BLUE HARVEST special.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE OTHER LUKE!

Art mirrors (screen) life in this great image from the FAMILY GUY RETURN OF THE JEDI celebration/parody IT'S A TRAP!, where Luke (Chris Griffin) finally gets to show his kick-ass Jedi skills and rescue his friends. I love the blooded limb on the floor-where would STAR WARS be without one in each film!

STAR WARS FAMILY GUY episodes will be airing over Xmas on FX HD in the UK.

THE "FAMILY GUY" SAGA CONCLUDES...ON BBC THREE

The gang's all here for IT'S A TRAP. Images: FOX

Having made its previous successful appearance on DVD and Blu-ray at the end of last year, the final STAR WARS homage by the FAMILY GUY team-IT'S A TRAP!-makes its way onto exclusive terrestrial viewing on the UK's BBC THREE and BBC HD channel this Sunday at 10pm. Also that evening, BBC 3 will be showing the previous two specials - BLUE HARVEST and SOMETHING, SOMETHING, SOMETHING DARK SIDE- for further Seth MacFarlane created viewing delight...

Escaping the Sail Barge!

Now c'mon FOX and LUCASFILM, release some STAR WARS FAMILY GUY action figures!

Looks like Luke will never be able to escape this particular version of Obi-Wan Kenobi!

The entire trio of FAMILY GUY STAR WARS adventures are also available separately and in box set special edition Blu-ray and DVD form from FOX Home Entertainment.

AFICIONADO REVIEW: "IT'S A TRAP!"

Forget what's his name Ford, Peter Griffin is Han Solo! Image: FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT.

With the release of IT'S A TRAP! on DVD and Blu-ray (also available as part of a special Trilogy box set release (wonderfully titled LAUGH IT UP, FUZZBALL!)), did Seth MacFarlane and his talented FAMILY GUY team deliver a great finale living up to its parody predecessors?

Check out our review to find out. Here's the link:
STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: CLASSIC REVIEW: 'FAMILY GUY - IT'S A TRAP' BLU-RAY

Please note: the review contains adult language that may be unsuitable for younger readers.