FUTURAMA: Rebirth

[Broccoli]

Not sure, but I think there's a new billboard in the opening titles, just to the upper right of the screen the ship crashes into. I couldn't make out what it said. And I couldn't see if it was there in the shortened titles to the second episode.

It could be seen in the first episode. The sign switched from "Mom's Friendly Robot Company" to "Smart Sausages" to "Got Protoplasm?"

You could not see it in the second episode as the title sequence was shortened and cut to the shot after the sign floated out of view (there was also no old cartoon clip in the viewer in the second episode). You can still see the edge of it though.

I noticed several other subtle differences with the title sequence in terms of new billboards and what not. The whole thing looked spiffed up for some reason. I wonder if it was reanimated. Maybe it's just me.

I was reading a review earlier today (I think at TV Squad, but can't seem to find it now), and the reviewer was talking about how different some of the voices were, especially Billy West, and especially Fry. He said Fry was a whole octave lower, so I was really listening for that. Basically, I couldn't tell any real discernible difference in any of the voices.

I didn't notice anything different with the voices either.

If you want your mind blown with voice differences/evolution, go watch "The Devil's Hands Are Idle Playthings" followed by "Space Pilot 3000".

 

[Nowhere Man]

Totatly forgot/missed it. I was really looking foward to seeing it top. I guess I'll catch the rerun. I'm sure it was good though.

 

[Myasishchev]

I liked 'em both, and the second one better.

Sign me up for the Amy Wong orgy.

And the Parcheesi tournament.

 

[tharpdevenport]

Well, now that they've done the V'Ger/TMP rip, I guess -- if they do so -- the path would follow to TWoK.

 

[Yoda]

I agree with the general sentiment, not great, not terrible. I did feel like the voices were a bit different, but I haven't watched any Futurama in a while, and when I did it was probably earlier episodes.

Definitely better than the movies in that I got some actual laughs out of these. Especially the magnification fail.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Well, now that they've done the V'Ger/TMP rip, I guess -- if they do so -- the path would follow to TWoK.

Actually, I half expected "Rebirth" to go with The Wrath of Khan ending (during Leela's funeral), but I'm glad that didn't happen.

I have to go with the general consensus that "Rebirth" was a great relaunch episode and better than "In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela" (although I really enjoyed black and white dream sequences), but I don't agree that they're automatically better than the movies. Other than "The Beast with a Billion Backs," I really enjoyed the movies, although I would agree that the length of the movies affected the stories. Either way, I'm glad the show is back (the Hypnotoad had no effect on me).

 

[Christopher]

Was the Janeway reference in the second episode Futurama's first nod to Voyager?

What was the Janeway reference? I missed that.

I was reading a review earlier today (I think at TV Squad, but can't seem to find it now), and the reviewer was talking about how different some of the voices were, especially Billy West, and especially Fry. He said Fry was a whole octave lower, so I was really listening for that. Basically, I couldn't tell any real discernible difference in any of the voices.

I did notice that West's voice is a bit rougher as Fry, which is understandable given the passage of time. Doing all the different voices West does puts a strain on the larynx and would lead to a certain roughness over time. I noticed back in the movies that Bender's voice sounded subtly different, fuller and rougher, more reminiscent of some of Di Maggio's character voices on shows like Teen Titans. Not only do people's voices change timbre over the years, but actors' speech rhythms can change, or a voice actor's characterization techniques can evolve and be influenced by the new voices they add to their repertoires.

 

[MeanJoePhaser]

Into the Wild Green Yonder was okay, but got a little tiresome by the end. Bender dating the mafia bot's wife was actually the best part.

Whereas I found it my least favorite part. It was pure padding in a story that should've been 25% shorter.

True, however I enjoyed the stand-alone episode aspect of it.

What was the Janeway reference? I missed that.

Hermes is trying to identify the V-GINY death sphere and says the ship cannot be found in "Janeway's Guide", a play on the Jane's Guides.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane's_Information_Group

 

[barnaclelapse]

Although I think the drop from "Excellent" to "Good" is a little sharp, I guess I'll have to go with "Good." I was fairly pleased with how it all went down.

 

[TheBrew]

I thought they were great. Bender having to dance to burn off the excess energy was brilliant. When he did carwheels into the ship as they were escaping, I had to pause since i was laughing so hard. And the twist with Fry being a robot was unexpected.

 

[Broccoli]

Totatly forgot/missed it. I was really looking foward to seeing it top. I guess I'll catch the rerun. I'm sure it was good though.

I'm sure it'll be streamed online at Hulu pretty soon.

Or, since it is Comedy Central, they'll replay it a million times this week.

 

[darthraidr]

i thought they were both average Futurama episodes. not a bad thing, but when i'm in the mood for some Futurama, these would not be the first episodes i would decide to watch.

although i do agree that bender doing cartwheels as they fled was awesome.

 

[Mr Light]

Futurama is back. I enjoyed both episodes a lot. I definitely find the individual episodes to work better than the movies. There were a couple bits that just had me in stitches like Janeway's Guide to Ships.

 

[Rett Mikhal]

Was anyone else reminded of the Binome Theater segments from Reboot whenever Zapp dreamed about Leela? Maybe it was the clearly fake plastic eye tied to the actresses face in a clear homage to bad special effects. Always a classic gag.

 

[AdmiralGarak]

Not sure, but I think there's a new billboard in the opening titles, just to the upper right of the screen the ship crashes into. I couldn't make out what it said. And I couldn't see if it was there in the shortened titles to the second episode.

It could be seen in the first episode. The sign switched from "Mom's Friendly Robot Company" to "Smart Sausages" to "Got Protoplasm?"

I think that has always been there.

Changes to the title sequence were made for the movies, though. Because of the new aspect ratio, the animators had to add new material to the edges of the picture. Maybe that made the billboard more noticeable.

Was the Janeway reference in the second episode Futurama's first nod to Voyager? All the other Trek shows have had at least one mention, but I don't remember any from Voyager.

Janeway was mentioned waaay back in "When Aliens Attack". Fry was piloting a ship and he compared himself to Janeway and Xena. And I am remembering a Seven of Nine reference, but I can't recall when it happened.

D'oh. How'd I forget that? For what it's worth, I don't remember a 7 of 9 reference.

 

[Broccoli]

Not sure, but I think there's a new billboard in the opening titles, just to the upper right of the screen the ship crashes into. I couldn't make out what it said. And I couldn't see if it was there in the shortened titles to the second episode.

It could be seen in the first episode. The sign switched from "Mom's Friendly Robot Company" to "Smart Sausages" to "Got Protoplasm?"

I think that has always been there.

Changes to the title sequence were made for the movies, though. Because of the new aspect ratio, the animators had to add new material to the edges of the picture. Maybe that made the billboard more noticeable.

I watched an older episode today. You are right. It was always there.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I was not disappointed at all. I'd agree that these were average Futurama episodes, but the average Futurama episode is pretty damn good. Both of these stories had some nice plot twists-- the Frybot and Brannigan's near-endless confessions-- and both the wit and slapstick were up to par.

Also we seem to be seeing more skin than ever, which is nothing to complain about.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Or, since it is Comedy Central, they'll replay it a million times this week.

At least CC doesn't run wrestling...yet

 

[Brent]

The end of Rebirth, when Zap just shoots out and says weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee across the floor, had me ROTFLOL

 

[tharpdevenport]

Now that I think about it, Matt's destroyed "Futurama"'s future continuity.

SPOILERS





Think about it: all the characters DIED. What we have are clones with memories peaced together from video tapes from coridoors and the bathroom.

All the intimate moments not caught on tape, are gone. All Fry's passed memories are gone (aside from anything he might have spoken aloud on camera), including Seymour. That brain defect that made him so special and the savior of the universe, likely wasn't replicated a second time.

Exact details of in-jokes of previous mission not on tape, are gone (leading to probably repeating mistakes made before).

All that stuff leading Fry and Leela up to where they are now, is gone.