Watch MST3K - The Beast of Yucca Flats
- 1995
- 1 hr 33 min
The movie MST3K - The Beast of Yucca Flats is a classic B-movie from 1961 that has become infamous for its bizarre storyline, terrible acting, and low-budget production values. The film follows a Soviet scientist who defects to the United States and is pursued by KGB agents through the desolate landscape of Yucca Flats, a nuclear testing site in the Nevada desert. During the pursuit, the scientist is caught in a radiation blast and is transformed into a hulking, mute monster with superhuman strength.
The film's narrative is disjointed and difficult to follow, with long stretches of dialogue-free scenes and random cutaways to unrelated footage of wildlife and desert landscapes. The acting is universally wooden and unconvincing, with even the most basic emotions and actions seeming stilted and awkward. The monster itself is a laughable creation, consisting of a fur suit and a rubber mask that barely moves, and is clearly just a man in a costume.
The MST3K version of the film features a comedic commentary track by the show's regulars including Trace Beaulieu, Michael J. Nelson, Jim Mallon, Kevin Murphy, Frank Conniff, Patrick Brantseg, Paul Chaplin, Bridget Jones, Tim Paulson, and Mary Jo Pehl. The MST3K team relentlessly skewers the film's flaws and absurdities, pointing out every cheesy line of dialogue, every clumsy special effect, and every ridiculous plot twist. The commentary is packed with witty one-liners, puns, and pop culture references, and adds a layer of humor and entertainment value to an otherwise tedious and forgettable movie.
The MST3K crew also brings their trademark sketches and musical interludes to the episode, which break up the film and provide some much-needed comic relief. The sketches are themed around Yucca Flats and the atomic age, and feature such memorable segments as "The Yucca Flats Radioactive Home Companion," "The Atomic Bazaar," and "The Bikini Atomic Mutant Speed Dating Game." The musical numbers include a jaunty tune about nuclear testing and a hilarious parody of the Beach Boys' "Barbara Ann" about the titular monster.
Overall, MST3K - The Beast of Yucca Flats is a classic episode of the long-running cult TV show that showcases the best of the MST3K team's riffing skills and comedic timing. The film itself is a terrible relic of a bygone era, but the commentary track turns it into an endlessly entertaining and hilarious experience. Whether you're a die-hard MST3K fan or a newcomer to the show, this episode is a must-watch for anyone who loves good-natured mockery and sharp wit.