Futurama: Bender's Game
All-New Feature-Length Quest
Overview
When Leela is insulted by a group of space-rednecks (like regular rednecks, but in space), she enters the Planet Express ship in a demolition derby. Leela emerges victorious, but when she brings the damaged ship home, and the Professor sees the fuel gauge, he's enraged by the hit he's going to take at the Dark Matter pump. Now the crew have to find a way to break Mom's stranglehold on starship fuel, even if they have to wade through a Lord of the Rings-inspired fantasy-land to do it!
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Bender's Game heavily parodies Dungeons & Dragons and fantasy literature like Lord of the Rings. The film also satirizes the rising gas prices and energy crisis of the late 2000s, using dark matter as a commentary on unsustainable energy sources and corporate greed.
- The Dungeons & Dragons parody is brilliantly executed, with clever fantasy tropes and humor that will appeal to both D&D enthusiasts and casual viewers.
- The plot is complex and engaging, weaving together the game world with the real world in a way that explores the characters' inner desires and flaws.
- The voice acting is superb, with the entire cast delivering exceptional performances, especially John DiMaggio as Bender, who undergoes a significant character arc.
- It explores themes of escapism, mental illness, and the power of imagination, adding depth and meaning beyond the surface-level humor.
Fun Facts
- The shape-shifting monster, the Hyper-Chicken, in the fantasy world is a reference to the character of the same name from the TV series 'Space Ghost Coast to Coast'.
- The title 'Bender's Game' is a play on the phrase 'Endgame', hinting at the high stakes and epic scope of the adventure.
- The game world incorporates aspects of previous Futurama episodes, such as the Forbidden Zone, creating a sense of continuity and rewarding long-time fans.