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Futurama, Vol. 1

Futurama, Vol. 1

List Price: $39.98
Your Price: $29.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: futurama is awesome
Review: I love this show it just recently started coming on cartoon networks adult swim. anyone who like the simpsons will love futurama. Matt Groening is a genius. youll love this show

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Futurama, we hardly knew ye
Review: I like this show a lot and am really going to miss it when it's gone, which, I fear, is soon. And do you know what else? I am very annoyed that it is going. One cannot blame Fox for giving up on the ratings starved show, can it? Well I can. I blame Fox for stranding the show at 7:00 on Sunday evening. Few shows can survive against the ratings juggernaut 60 Minutes, even shows that do not seem to attract the same audience. Plus, there was never anything of interest between in the half hour between Futurama and creator Matt Groening's other show, The Simpsons. Viewers were expected to tune in with no lead-in and nothing afterward. And 8:30, directly after The Simpsons would have been the perfect slot. It would be a great counterpart to the latter program. But what was there instead? King of the Hill. I used to hate King, but it has recently grown on me. But that is not the point. The point is that King has long ago built up enough of an audience that it did not need the cushy post-Simpsons slot. Futurama did and does. But no, Fox strands the show in no-man's-land and then acts surprised and cancels it when nobody watches. Gee.

But maybe I'm being too hard on the network. Let's look at the show. Granted, it's not a family-based show like The Simpsons. The family show is a TV staple for good reason. People like it. But there is a familial element to the program. While only two of the characters are actually biologically related, there is a bond among the cast that is undeniable. And there is a definite drama to the program. In fact, I believe there are more touching, heart-tugging moments in Futurama than in The Simpsons (in percentage, not in quantity. With nine seasons fewer than the latter program, a higher amount of said moments would be quite a feat). I was touched in "Luck of the Fryish" when Fry finds out the truth about his brother. I welled up in the closing montage of "Leela's Homeworld" when Leela's parents' love is displayed. And I welled up again in the closing montage of "Jurassic Bark", but for different, more bittersweet reasons, when Fry's dog's obedience and patience are tried. But don't think it's all tears. Futurama's humor is similar to that of The Simpsons from its broad handed silliness to its subtle jabs. It also boasts the satire and parody of Groening's other show. Futurama is an extremely intelligent program.

I am grateful for the many laughs I have (and with 72 episodes existing, when all is said and done, there are a lot) and all the great quotes I will undoubtedly add to my vernacular. There are numerous shows that are cut down without given enough of a chance. With the short patience of networks these days, there will be many more (if you doubt that networks are less likely to keep shows around than they used to, I advise you to check out Seinfeld Season 1. Do you really think NBC would continue airing the show after that train wreck? But aren't you glad they did?). But of all the shows to go out at or before their prime, I think I will miss Futurama the most. Cue touching musical montage.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Futurama is great
Review: Most of the people so far are in Europe and have a different DVD than this. The US/region 1 DVD will have even more extras and be even better. If you like The Simpsons and Family Guy you'll love this too.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Future Looks Bright
Review: Read the Amazon.com Editorial Review above for a summary. This review attempts to show why the series was so good.

Futurama premiered during the 1998-1999 season, touted as a show "from the creators of The Simpsons." "Futurama," (a title I can only imagine as a throwback to antiquated formations of different words to be hip i.e. "Skateorama," or "Surforama") began slowly, offering a slightly askew style that Simpsons fans and regular audiences had to take notice of, regardless of whether they liked it or not. The character design seemed comfortable and familiar, but most Simpsons fans were asking, "Why do they have flesh-colored skin?" The Simpsons characters are, of course, different shades of yellow. And it was a sight to see a cartoon spaceship fly and spin around with the obvious but very slick help of computer animation. In every episode, audiences were given visual treats with the use of computer 3D applied to the hand-drawn look. Newer technology was being applied to a show that had a familiar feel to it, demonstrating that the future DOES look different and things WORK differently in the future, but people remain the same. Earth is not a happy paradise in the future like some would imagine. It is still a world where the rich get richer, blue-collar workers still fuel business, and there just seems to be strange characters everywhere! Modern American audiences can still relate to the main characters, making the stories of "Futurama" simply timeless.

It was a show that was doing more in the area of design and complexity. The "universe" was established within a few episodes, showing that 20th century celebrities still exist in the year 3000, though only as heads in a jar (allowing for guest appearances of famous people as Themselves), aliens and robots and humans live and work on Earth, and intergalactic travel was common, among many others.

The show had one other thing that was slowly being phased out of "The Simpsons:" stories with substance. The characters Fry, Leela, Bender, the Professor and the rest were, of course, brand new, so seeing them develop as the season continued was a lot of fun. The character relationships were unique. Fry befriended a smart and bitter bending robot (Bender), developed a crush for a one-eyed alien (Leela), and looked for guidance from his great-great-great-great-great grand-nephew who was over 100 years old (Prof. Farnsworth). And Fry himself was not too bright, but he stood behind his convictions. The characters all teetered on the absurd, while demonstrating recognizable and enduring human qualities. There is a character for every fan to relate to, whether they personified a character, or knew someone just like a character. Getting fresh characters with dynamic personalities, combined with thoughtful and innovative stories was a welcome change to the gags and jokes "The Simpsons" was beginning to employ. The humor reflected that of "The Simpson's'" heyday (seasons 3-8), using satire and deliciously clever timing to get a laugh. An example from another season featured an evil commander who was mass-producing Lucy Liu clones who found his plans being threatened. In a typical Hollywood fashion, the commander stands in front of a control panel and says dramatically, "I will give them all the Lucy Liu's they want!" Instead of hitting the big red button that everyone expects, he hits "Control" and then "K" on a keyboard. Hilarious!

What is interesting is that satire reflects attitudes and ideals of the day; with the intelligent writing, "Futurama" used satire time and again, but set it in the year 3000! That was the genius of it!

Each episode and character will grow on you and by the end you will be glad to have this DVD set in your collection. The show always struggled to find its audience, especially on the East Coast when FOX had football on Sundays. Why FOX never programmed both shows back-to-back is a complete mystery, but the series will have withstood five years before it will finally expire in May of 2003. Five years, struggling to find and hold an audience, is very impressive. The show could have had the longevity of "The Simpsons," but FOX seemed happy with Groening's first series and never pushed "Futurama" as hard. Now, as "The Simpsons" becomes a product of silly gags, ludicrous one-liners, and ridiculous adventure-type stories, all lacking the attitude and satire and substance, fans can look to "Futurama" to satisfy their need for intelligent and side-splitting stories. One day, fans will have 70-some episodes of "Futurama," hopefully all reaching DVD by 2005. As they come out, pick up "The Simpsons" DVDs from Amazon.com, and you will see the similarities. Stories with substance. Intelligent humor. Fun characters. This is what "The Simpsons" had up until season 9, and it is what "Futurama" had during its entire run.

If you are a fan of "The Simpsons," or once was, "Futurama" season 1 is a must-have!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: the best dvd box sets ever.
Review: The futurama season 1 and 2 box sets are both available on Amazon.co.uk, and I have them both. They are both fantastic and the extra features are magnificent. Including directors commentary with the director and most of the cast memebers for every episode! They both come in an acetate box set, and the second season comes with 4 dvd's in the set. I recommended them, you wont be disappointed.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Futurama - enough said
Review: I just love Futurama - I already own Series one and two on DVD (on region 2) and I can just say they are amazing ... I can watch them again and again ... Personally Futurama is my favorite TV-show and I can never get tired of them. The quality of each episode is to die for (or at least I think) ... considering the limited quality you get on VHS.

So I highly recommend this product ... for your inner child that's growing up

sincerely,

the little Icelandic girl

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Finally Region 1!!!
Review: I've been waiting for Futurama to be on DVD in Region 1 for a long time. And it will soon be now!

Watching this show is like watching The Simpsons but with everything but the humor changed: characters, settings, jokes, etc. I love it! The first episode I saw didn't really impress me but the 2nd through whatevereth episodes I saw were more than enough for me to love it.

I've got the first two seasons of The Simpsons on DVD, and I'm still eagerly awaiting the first season of The Family Guy on dvd in Region 1.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Futuristic Classic......
Review: "Futurama," the genius creation of Matt Groening has finally come to DVD after a lengthy wait. As many may know, Groening is the man behind the legacy of "The Simpsons." To me though, "Futurama" is an amazing cartoon and I think it is one of the must-have boxed sets of 2003. The show itself is stacked with many pop-culture references, gags, jokes, good humour, great animation, wonderful story-lines and just a great premise. The basic premise of the show is that Fry, a 20th century delivery boy down on his luck winds up in the 30th century due to a New Year's Eve prank. His arrival and place in history, or in our case the future are laid out in the first episode "Space Pilot 3000." In the first episode the primary characters are introduced in turn from Bender to Hermes through to Dr. Zoidberg and Prof. Farnsworth (owner of Planet Express and a nephew of Fry's). Over the remaining episodes of the season (there are 13 in total) Fry and the other members of the Planet Express team find themselves traveling throughout the universe having many wonderfully-zany adventures. For example in Episode 2: "The Series Had Landed" Fry gets to travel to the moon only to discover that it has been transformed into an amusement park. Despite the glitz and glamour of it all, he is keen on seeing the moon he grew up loving. Epsiode 3: "I, Roommate" has Fry and Bender move in together. Will the friendship be able to over-come a few differences? Episode 6: "A Fishfull of Dollars" has Fry discover that he has become a billionaire as a result of a thousand years of compounding interest. Does the money last or will Fry go broke again? Episode 10: "A Flight to Remember" features a Titanic-esque type of plot with Bender as the lowly peasant falling in love with the Countess. Will this Titanic suffer the same fate as the original? Episode 11: "Mars University" sees Fry enroll in university to show he is able to drop-out with the best of them. At the same time Bender assits his old fraternity in typical university warfare. Episode 12: "When Aliens Attack" has the Omicrons threatening to destroy Earth unless they see the final episode of a show that Fry used to watch back in the 20th Century. Will the Omicrons get their wish or is Earth doomed? Episode 13: "Fry and the Slurm Factory" features a contest that has Fry and his companions win to have a tour of the Slurm Factory. What we get is a wonderful Willy Wonka type of parody and who can forget the Grunga-Lungas? :-) The remaining episodes in the season are just as wonderful and the pop-culture references are just as superb. Even the celebrity cameos (as heads in jars) are a sight to behold. The special features on the discs are also quite superior. Commentary is available on each of the episodes and is wonderful, the deleted scenes provide for many a laugh, the animatics are interesting to see and even the concept art gallery is quite insightful. Matt Groening has done it again, but it's just unfortunate that Fox didn't give the show the respect it deserved. Season 1 is a real treat to behold. Any fan of "The Simpsons" or "Family Guy" should acquire this set. Additionally if you love pop-culture references and just enjoy a good laugh, Futurama is just what the doctor, and I don't mean Zoidberg. :-) Futurama is one of the classic shows of our times and should not be missed. As Prof. Farnsworth might say...I'd write more "but I'm already in my pajamas."

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: written by David Laing
Review: Futurama is a very creative series that shouldn't have been cancelled, in the following is an episode guide for the first season.

Space Pilot 3000- After being cryogenically frozen, Fry is transported to the year 3000 where he meets the cyclops Leela, the robot Bender, and gets a job at Planet Express. 5/5

The Series Has Landed- After delivering a package to the moon, Fry, Leela, Bender, and Amy visit an amusement park on the moon where Bender is chased by a farmer for romancing one of his daughters, and Fry and Leela find the original lunar landing site.4/5

I, Roommate- For being such a slob, Fry is forced to move in with Bender, but since Bender's house is too small, Fry and Bender move into a new house, but Fry eventually moves into Bender's closet. 5/5

Love's Labours Lost In Space- After being picked up by the legendary Zapp Braniggan, Leela realizes what a moron he is, but ends up sleeping with him. 3/5

Fear of A Bot Planet- After making a delivery to a planet ruled by human hating robots, Bender becomes their leader, forcing Fry and Leela to pretend their humans to to rescue Bender.5/5

A Fishful of Dollars- Fry becomes rich due to the money in his account that his been getting higher over the years, and uses it to buy a can of unopened anchovies, the only anchovies left in the galaxy. 5/5

My Three Suns- After delivering a package to a planet with three suns, Fry drinks the leader of the country, and becomes the new leader. 4/5

A Big Piece of Garbage- The Planet Express crew must destroy a big piece of garbage launched into space in the 20th century. 4/5

Hell Is Other Robots- Benders joins the Temple of Robotology, but after he sins, he is forced to go to robot hell.5/5

A Flight to Remember- The Planet Express crew is invited to go on a space cruise ship, where Fry alternately dates Leela and Amy, and Bender finds love. 2/5

Mars University- Fry goes to college to prove to the professor that he could flunk out, but his roommate is a super intelligent monkey. 5/5

When Aliens Attack- After Fry spills some beer on a transmitor in the 20th century, he knocks a show off the air, which the Omicronians thouroughly enjoy, so they threaten to destroy Earth until they see the show. 5/5

Fry & The Slurm Factory- Fry and the Planet Express crew win a free tour of a soft drink factory. 5/5

See this show now.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A must have for anyone who likes DVDs!
Review: Futurama is often considered a "spin-off" of the Simpsons merely because it was created by Matt Groening and the character design appears similar. This is far from the truth. While the Simpsons has earned a place in Americana, it is no where near as witty, funny, or as quality-made as Futurama.

The first thing you will notice about this show is that the animation is clean and crisp with vibrant colors. Amazing 3D imagery is blended seamlessly to 2D cell art. Voice acting is high-quality, and Billy West (Fry, Zoidberg, Dr. Farnsworth) flaunts his versatility with about half the total voices on the show. Kate Segal returns to Fox as the voice of Leela.

The DVD set is just so incredible. The transfer is flawless and looks better than the broadcast version. Sounds are crisper and cleaner and excellent in the Dolby Digital version. But the best thing (besides the series) is the commentary. Groening, D.X. Cohen, Billy West, Dimaggio, and others talk about the little "in" jokes, how Ph.D's figured out how fast a shadow would move on the moon, how the alien-ese signs read "Fried Humans," why the robot planet is named Chapek 9, what some of the pre-production titles for the show were (Aloha Mars!). I've watched every episode three times so far, twice with the commentary on! This is the BEST commentary since Raimi and Cambell did Army of Darkness together!

I just can't wait until the second volume!

Viva le Fry!


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