The first thing you have to know about Aqua Teen Hunger Force is that if you don't know them, you're not going to laugh throughout this movie. If you do know them, then you will give it three and a half stars. The second thing to know is that Friday, I was the only one in the theatre. So perhaps the City of Boston was right after all. ATHF is a bomb.
The Movie is basically a very long version of the series with just about all of the wrong characters taking up most of the time on screen. The writers had a chance to either introduce the characters, or just go with an extended adventure. They did both and succeeded only half-way.
The biggest problem? Not enough Carl. Too much of the Robot Ghost of Christmas Past from the Future. No Alien Frat Boys, no Leprechuans, no Willie Nelson. Sheesh. This could have been a laugh riot for ATHF regulars if more of those characters were involved, but instead they went with the regulars. I've never considered Dr. Weird to be funny at all, so his presence was just adequate.
However, things do shine with the Mooninites and with the Plutonians, so on the whole I would say I'm relatively satisfied that I have gone rather than not have. But I'm saving the best for last.
If there is only one reason to see this movie, it is the very beginning and the very end. If you're like me, you always wonder why, when you're going to see some crazed bloody horror flick, or twisted humor like ATHF, that the theatre owners put the same ignorantly polite little animated characters to tell you please don't talk. Did you ever wonder what it would be like if they honestly told you to STFU? The beginning of ATHF does that perfectly, with a punk refreshements band. I split my sides for 5 minutes.
My prediction is that sooner or later, somehow, that vignette is going to get out on YouTube. It will be the most popular clip since the Hamsterdance or the dancing baby. It's just that hilarious. This, my friends is the length of the ATHF writers. Short clips. Like the Three Stooges, ATHF should not attempt full length features.
Frylock, Master Shake and Meatwad are their classic selves. There's plenty to love. When I think about it, there are probably plenty of fun parts to go and remember. I just can't remember.
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