Watch Mystery Science Theater 3000 Presents: Mad Monster
- 2018
- 1 hr 35 min
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Presents: Mad Monster from the Moon is a classic sci-fi B-movie from the 1950s that has been given the MST3K treatment. The film follows the story of a group of astronauts who travel to the moon in order to investigate strange signals that have been detected. Upon landing on the moon, they discover a race of aliens who have been living there for thousands of years. The aliens, who are led by a mad scientist, soon reveal their plans to invade Earth and conquer the planet.
Joel Hodgson, the creator of MST3K, takes on the role of the host for this episode. He is joined by his two robot sidekicks, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot, as they provide hilarious commentary throughout the film. As usual, the film is full of cheesy special effects, over-the-top acting, and a nonsensical plot that is ripe for riffing.
The first thing that viewers will notice about this episode is the production value. Compared to earlier episodes of MST3K, the set and costumes are more polished and the special effects are more seamless. However, this does not detract from the fun of watching the film with Joel and the bots. In fact, the higher quality visuals only serve to highlight the absurdity of the film's plot.
As the film begins, Joel and the bots are introduced to the crew of the spaceship that will be traveling to the moon. The crew consists of a stereotypical cast of characters, including the rugged captain, the brainy scientist, and the tough-as-nails engineer. Each character is given a silly nickname by Joel and the bots, which adds to the overall comedic effect.
Once on the moon, the crew is immediately attacked by the aliens, who are portrayed as shambling, rubber-suited monsters. This is where the fun really begins, as Joel and the bots make hilarious comments about the aliens' appearance and movements. Their jabs at the film's low budget special effects are especially amusing.
As the crew tries to defend themselves from the alien invasion, they discover the mad scientist who is controlling the aliens' actions. This character is one of the highlights of the film, as he delivers lines that are so over-the-top that they seem like they were written to be mocked by Joel and the bots. The mad scientist's grand plan to invade Earth is also a source of much amusement for the riffers.
Throughout the film, Joel and the bots make references to pop culture, current events, and even other films. Some of the jokes may be lost on younger viewers, but they add an extra layer of humor for those who are in on the joke. There are also a number of running gags that are established early on in the episode, such as the bots' obsession with a character's name and their constant confusion over the plot.
As the film reaches its climax, Joel and the bots ramp up the jokes to a fever pitch. The action on screen becomes increasingly ridiculous, which only makes the riffing all the more funny. By the time the film ends, viewers will be left with sore sides from laughing so hard.
Overall, Mystery Science Theater 3000 Presents: Mad Monster from the Moon is a perfect example of why the show has become such a beloved cult classic. The film itself is cheesy and nonsensical, but Joel and the bots elevate it to new heights of hilarity with their witty commentary. Fans of the show will not be disappointed by this episode, and newcomers may even discover a new favorite show to binge watch.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Presents: Mad Monster is a 2018 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes.