Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

MPA Rating: PG-13-Rating (MPA) for some sexual humor.

Reviewed by: Shannon Hammell
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Average
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Teens Adults
Genre: Comedy
Length: 1 hr. 13 min.
Year of Release: 1996
USA Release:
Box art for “Mystery Science Theater 3000 The Movie”
Featuring Trace Beaulieu, Michael T. Nelson, Jim Mallon, Kevin Murphy, John Brady
Director Jim Mallon
Producer Trace Beaulieu, Jim Mallon, Kevin Murphy
Distributor Gramercy Pictures

This movie was rather hilarious, even after the third and fourth time (being a Mystery Science Theater 3000 fan helps). It could do without some of the sexual metaphors in the film and some profanity. There is also mild violence.

The film is basically a theater-version of the cult TV show on Comedy Central (it is now on the Sci-Fi channel). The film revolves around a mild-mannered but naive guy named Mike Nelson (real name) and his wise-cracking robot buddies Crow T. Robot (a robot with a long, mouth-like appendage, resembling a bird’s beak) and Tom Servo (resembling a robotic gumball machine), voiced by Trace Beaulieu and Kevin Murphy. The three of them live aboard a dog bone-shaped spaceship called “The Satellite of Love.”

The three are subjected by their “master,” Dr. Clayton Forester (Trace Beaulieu), to what seems like the worst form of torture: watching bad movies, specifically science fiction flicks. In this movie, Mike, Crow, and Tom mercilessly heckle a 50’s sci-fi flick called “This Island Earth” (I personally didn’t think it deserved to be torn apart, since it is a pretty good 50’s sci-fi film).

Some Christians (like myself) may find some things offensive in this movie. There is profanity, sexual humor, and one scene where Mike, Crow, and Tom are forced to bow down to their boss, Dr. Forester. The Bible says that we are NOT to bow down to anyone except God. As Christians, we should be slightly wary of some of the content in this film, but the film’s intent is not to offend Christians but to poke fun of cheesy sci-fi flicks.

I say that this movie is appropriate for anyone ages 15 and up, since some of the humor used might go over the heads of some younger kids. The younger set might be frightened by the mild violence in the movie (the one that Mike, Crow, and Tom are watching).


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive—“Mystery Science Theatre 3000” is one of the funniest and well-written stupid Humor movies out there. It has a kind of dumb beginning, but the rest of the movie is extremely funny! There are a few sexual jokes, nothing serious. Typical PG-13 language. (3 S’s, 5 D’s, 2 B’s, and 2 H’s) Otherwise, it’s a hilarious movie! My family and I love this movie. If you ever have an hour and 14 min., rent this movie! You’ll love it.
My Ratings: [Average / 3½]
Davie Powers, age 14
Positive—I have seen this movie twice—once with my own parents, and the second with some pals at college. I really enjoyed it and I can’t say that it was that awfully offensive. Of course there is a little sexual humor, some profanity, but nothing terrible. It is hilarious at times, and the in-between-scenes of the aliens, Crow and Servo, and their human pal, Mike are crazy and silly, NOT to be taken seriously. I would say children should be at least thirteen to see it, simply because some of the wise cracks made. Otherwise, enjoy it and laugh heartily—it’s actually a lot cleaner than most comedy flicks of this day.
My Ratings: [Average / 3]
Amber, age 21