So finally, the Futurama crew returns and now bigger than ever, in a feature length, 1 of 4 movie comeback extravaganzas!

Minor Spoiler Alert

The first in the series of 4, direct to DVD feature length movies, Bender's Big Score, takes place in the not too distant future after the last episode (The Devil's hands are idle playthings). A new alien race known as the "Scammers" have scammed their way into the Planet Express Corp and have taken over the company and pretty soon, all of Earth.

It felt like good old times in Futurama! All the major characters have some much needed screen time, from Fry, Bender, Leela, Zoidberg, Hermies, Amy, Zapp, Kif, Nibbler and so on. At the core of the movie, it is still very much a Fry and Leela love triangle type story with a whole lot of crazy B and C stories running alongside.

What I liked about the movie was it stayed true to the roots of the show. They didn't try to do anything too fancy in the form of 3D, no more than they did in the regular show. And after watching it for the 2nd time with audio commentary, you get a sense that the actors are happy to be back and if you've heard the other commentaries from the DVD box sets, you'll know how soon hilarity ensues.

Although I wouldn't say its the best thing to Futurama in terms of comedy. I could easily name 5 other episodes that top this movie, it was still a solid effort (pat on back) and there are some signature "touching moments" in the movie that make it worth watching and I look forward to the other 3 movies set to make their releases direct to DVD sometime in the future.

A definitely buy for any fan, especially for the features on the DVD. Not quite as many but still satisfying to watch them, especially the Hypnotoad Episode (all 30mins of it!)

Rating: 7.5/10