Product Details

• Actors: Trace Beaulieu, John Brady (VIII), Kevin Murphy (II), Michael J. Nelson
• Format: Color, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC
• Language: English (PCM Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: May 27, 1998
• Run Time: 74 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (217 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305078246
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #86,211 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Comedy > Parody & Spoof > Mystery Science Theater 3000

• For more information about "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

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

Product Description

Have you ever seen a movie so bad that you had to shout back at the screen? So have the ingenious creators of "Mystery Science Theater 3000." The award-winning series is now a major motion picture, complete with all the hip wisecracks and explosively funny barbs that fans have come to expect. Your movie today: 1955's "This Island Earth."

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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!

46 of 47 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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great, Fun little movie!, August 23, 2005

By	N. Peron (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In spite of all it's misgivings, MST3K: The Movie is pretty funny, and if you are a MSTie who has always wanted to hear Tom Servo swear, well this is your movie. A few downsides to the film is that the folks at Universal told the MST3K boys that they had to pick one of their movies (obviously) but it couldn't have been a "bad" movie (What the hell? That's the whole point. Movie execs.. I'll never get them.) and while it is shorter than your average MST3K episode (And runs shorter the original version of "This Island Earth" which is the movie the boys riff) it's still an entertaining watch.
Be farwarned though, the movie has been out of print for quite some time and there are certain people out there in internet land who will try and gouge you 100 bucks and upwards for it (as of the time of this writing some knuckle knob is charging 415 bucks for a USED copy.. OBSURD!) I recomend you check EVERYWHERE before you finally open up your wallet.

I managed to find it online for a fairly decent price. Keep your eye out, and if all else fails and your not picky about VHS, get it on VHS as most dealers and getting rid of VHS like the plague.