Product Details

• Actors: Trace Beaulieu, Michael J. Nelson, Jim Mallon, Kevin Murphy, John Brady
• Directors: Jim Mallon
• Writers: Trace Beaulieu, Michael J. Nelson, Jim Mallon, Kevin Murphy, Bridget Jones
• Producers: Trace Beaulieu, Jim Mallon, Kevin Murphy
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Universal Studios
• VHS Release Date: April 8, 1997
• Run Time: 73 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (224 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630414069X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,026 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The cult television show (in which a hapless space explorer and his robot pals are forced to watch and deliver a hilarious running commentary on bad movies) makes a successful transition to the big screen as Mike and the 'bots lay waste to the '50s sci-fi yarn This Island Earth (a painfully stiff would-be epic that's actually a cut above the usual MST3K fare). While ardent fans may be a little miffed that more advantage isn't taken of the expanded theatrical venue (aside from a tad more scatological humor than usual, the content here would fit in comfortably as a regular episode of the series), the nonstop, hyper-literate salvo of comedy riffs that run the gamut from references to Tommy Chong's backyard to Yes album covers more than make up for any conceptual complacency. Be prepared to laugh till it aches. --Andrew Wright

From The New Yorker

The M.S.T. experience-watching a terrible old movie while silhouetted figures pummel it with wisecracks-moves from the small screen to the big one with all the jeering camaraderie of the show's hosts, robots Tom Servo and Crow and head writer Michael J. Nelson, intact. The "stinking cinematic suppository" they've chosen to heckle is the 1955 science-fiction film "This Island Earth," and, though they've sacrificed some of their more esoteric humor to encourage audience participation, there's rarely a groaner in the bunch. Nelson and his chief co-writers-Trace Beaulieu, Jim Mallon, and Kevin Murphy-hurl such a cheerful barrage of jokes and innuendos that the audience has to stifle its laughter or risk missing the next cheesy pun. It's a film lover's dream: a great bad time at the movies. -Bruce Diones
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! The return to DVD!, January 30, 2008

By 

Brian Reaves (Anniston, AL USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (Widescreen) (DVD)

While various MST3K episodes have circulated over the internet and from companies like Rhino, the MST3K movie has long since disappeared from DVD shelves. Now, rather than rent a copy from Netflix and then "lose" it so you can keep one (or pay extravagant prices on Ebay), Universal has rereleased this great film to the delight of fans everywhere.

So what makes this different from any normal episode? Well, first of all it's set between the sixth and seventh seasons (right after the departure of TV's Frank and before Pearl joins as a regular), so Doctor F has the bad guy side all to himself. Fortunately, Trace is more than capable of making his every moment on screen a blast (there's even a funny "mini-origin" monologue that starts the film off to catch everyone up to speed). The set is finally expanded here and we get to see more of the ship finally. But, strangely enough, this is actually SHORTER than any of the episodes you see on television. This was done because the studio was afraid people who weren't familiar with the show would get bored in the theater--but of course, why would they go see it if they weren't familiar with the show in the first place?

The movie they choose to riff is "This Island Earth", which I always thought wasn't such a bad film anyway. However, Mike and the Bots do manage to squeeze in some great lines throughout. Definitely worth the time!

One small warning: they do use a few more colorful words here than they did on television. Not often by any means, but they sneak a couple in here and there.

I'm so glad we're finally seeing this gem return to DVD! Don't know what brought it on, but thank you!

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "G.I. Joe action set. Nerdy Joe not included...", September 6, 2004

By 

Michael Crane (Orland Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mystery Science Theater 3000 (DVD)

The popular TV show that revolves around a man and his two robots heckling horrible movies in space has found its way on film (very hard to find, but it's there!). "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie" gives you the rare opportunity of enjoying a bad movie as Mike and the robots are there to help you through it with their wisecracking and flawless delivery. It's true that anyone can heckle a bad movie... but very few can do it as good as these guys can.

The mad and evil scientist, Dr. Clayton Forrester, has created an evil little scheme that is bound to give him world domination... but first thing's first. He plans to torment Mike Nelson and the robots by sending them a real stinker of a film to watch called, "This Island Earth." He is convinced that this movie will drive them insane. And since the guys cannot control when the movie begins or ends, they are forced to witness the true horror that is this awful movie that has a lobster creature dressed in slacks. Will this be the ultimate cheese that breaks the boys' spirits? You'll find out once you begin this hilarious movie.

The movie isn't all that different from the regular show, which is a major plus. Sure, there is a little bit of a plot going on that concerns Dr. Forrester's plan for global domination, but there's always a side story like that going on in each of the episodes. The movie may look a little more professional than the show, but that's the only difference. We still see the three silhouettes wisecrack and mock their way through the awful movie. Their delivery is always constant and right on target. In fact, you're bound to catch something new that you didn't catch the first time around when you watch it again. "This Island Earth" was a good choice for the movie, although they have been through much worse than this (see the episodes "Space Mutiny" or "Manos: Hands of Fate," and you'll see what I'm saying). The DVD has no extras whatsoever. Not only that, but it is EXTREMELY hard to find these days, so good luck trying to find it (it's out there somewhere).

"Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie" doesn't disappoint in any way. It's always funny, always fresh and always clever. Fans of the show will most likely love the movie. It can even be enjoyed by those who are experiencing MST3K for the very first time. If you're lucky enough to stumble upon this little gem, then I highly recommend checking it out. And remember kids, these guys are professionals; do NOT attempt this at home! -Michael Crane

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back in print and long overdue. A MSTie must have!, January 30, 2008

By 

Valnastar "Man With No Name" (Deep 13, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (Widescreen) (DVD)

MST3K The Movie got great reviews when it was in theaters in 1996 and deservedly so. Even after the studio chopped it down to a mere 75 minutes they couldn't destroy anything this funny. Siskel and Ebert at the time raved about it, as did most fans and critics. Sadly, the DVD has been out of print in the USA for many years, so it's great that this is available again for all the MSTies who missed out on it the first time around.

The movie being "riffed" is the classic color SF film from 1955, This Island Earth, starring Rex Reason, Faith Domergue (she was in the original Invasion of the Bodysnatchers), Russell Johnson (the Professor on Gilligan's Island), and Jeff Morrow. It's a great looking film that is reasonably entertaining and well-made. However, as the MST3K writers point out repeatedly during jokes in this film, there's still plenty to make fun of, such as futuristic looking props that don't seem to have an actual purpose, plot premise issues, and some general fantastic silliness. MST3K The Movie is a lot of fun.

Note that Frank Conniff and Joel Hodgson had both left MST3K by the time that this film was made, so the Satellite of Love (SOL) is helmed by Mike Nelson and Dr. Forrester is on his own in Deep 13. The jokes are top notch, though occasionally a bit more PG-13 than on the regular MST3K TV show. The SOL and Deep 13 sets constructed for the film are slightly more elaborate than those previously used for the TV show on Comedy Central to that point. There are even a few scenes in the SOL in more than one location! The movie does follow the same general format as the TV show, including host segments. Look for the "Manos" reference during one host segment. This DVD is recommended!