RiffTrax Shorts Season 5 Episode 1 5-01

RiffTrax Shorts season 5 episode 1, titled "5-01," features the return of Mike, Kevin and Bill as they riff on a handful of short films from the past. As with previous seasons, the RiffTrax team commentates on the films, adding their own humorous spin to the cringe-worthy dialogue and outdated scenarios.

The episode begins with a short titled "Tractor Safety," a clumsy and poorly produced instructional short from the 1950s. The RiffTrax trio wastes no time in poking fun at the absurdity of the film, highlighting the hilariously stilted dialogue and overzealous safety measures. They also take aim at the film's overly dramatic score, which only adds to the unintentional comedy.

Next up is a short titled "Why Study Industrial Arts?," which the RiffTrax team quickly points out is a thinly veiled promotional tool for shop class. The short film features a group of high school students fawning over various power tools, with the RiffTrax crew drawing attention to the film's cringe-worthy attempts at humor and the obvious lack of diversity among the students.

Following "Why Study Industrial Arts?" is a short titled "Alcohol Trigger Films," which is surprisingly more problematic than funny. The film serves as an instructional tool for police officers, detailing how different people react to alcohol in different ways. The RiffTrax team is quick to point out the film's blatant stereotypes and questionable advice, with their commentary often taking a more serious tone in order to highlight the harm caused by such outdated depictions.

The episode then shifts to a more lighthearted tone with a short titled "Chevrolet Leader News Vol. 3 No. 2," a newsreel from the 1930s. The RiffTrax team pokes fun at the film's rosy depictions of the automotive industry, which are in stark contrast to the negative regulatory attention the industry receives today. The team also uses the film as an opportunity to riff on the fashion and social norms of the time, finding plenty of comedic fodder in the outdated styles and sensibilities.

The final short of the episode is a film titled "Subject: Narcotics," which serves as an educational tool for young children to help prevent drug use. The RiffTrax crew is once again struck by the film's questionable advice and outdated sensibilities, with their commentary highlighting the often laughable attempts at reaching out to the younger generation. They also take issue with the film's depiction of drug users, finding fault in the harsh stereotypes and lack of nuance present in the narrative.

Overall, RiffTrax Shorts season 5 episode 1 is a solid addition to the series, showcasing the team's signature brand of humor and commentary. While some of the shorts may be more problematic than funny, the RiffTrax team uses their platform to highlight the harm caused by such depictions and offer a more critical analysis. Fans of the show will undoubtedly enjoy this latest offering, while newcomers will find plenty to laugh and cringe at in equal measure.