Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story

It was weird watching this movie because I've seen nearly every episode of "Family Guy" and it was easy to recognize this movie as being adapted into three episodes of the TV show. Now there was enough material here for four episodes, but they trimmed it down to three in the actual show. I admit that I'm not a fan of "Family Guy", but this was still enjoyable. Besides, it wasn't really until later that "Family Guy" became particularly hated. I counted 45 cutaway gags in this movie! What's interesting here is that there are a lot of things that really do build up.

The thing was, I didn't get a feeling that this was epic enough for a movie. It still didn't seem large scale. Of course, it probably was better than most episodes of the actual show. There are lots of funny little lines here and there. I especially love the opening sequence where they talk about how they're rolling out the red carpet for a direct to video movie. With all the awful direct to video movies I've seen this month, this was quite refreshing. It has some good satire in it and it doesn't really seem like "Family Guy" will ever get a theatrically released movie, unlike "My Little Pony", hee hee. ***

That, however, is not a bad thing...to many times in these situations the people who make the show may try to do something completely different and it really isn't as good as the show, but here it is. Though really, it is only three unaired episodes of the show with a movie premier scene to bookend them. The first two of these episodes are really funny, with the second stint being my favorite, I just about died at the spider man joke and the thundercats one. The third act is funny, but not quite up to the first two. The main point of the storyline is Stewie as the three episodes sort of have the same theme to them and it looks like it was sort of a three parter with two and three being more of the loop than the first one. Stewie has a near death experience, not only that he has seen a man that looks just like him on the television and he is convinced that it is his real father rather than Peter and this sends him and Brian on a trip to San Francisco. Once there a startling (well not startling by this show's standards) is made. Very funny overall, if you like the show you should enjoy this. My main complaint is that it is supposedly uncensored...well if that is the case why is the curse words beeped out?

I recently saw this and I must confess it was awesome. There is heavy Stewie content, and Lois is funnier than I have ever seen; the intro. alone had me on the floor. The funniest episodes ever of family guy have been based on interactions between Brian and Stewie, which MacFarlane delivers. The movie is comparable to a few episodes of the show strung together, but will be enjoyed whether you're a fan or not. To top it off, the "cameos" of well known characters adds an ambiance that Family Guy aficionados will love (much like the first episode of the 2005 season). Although I'm a long time fan of the show, I am usually very pessimistic. However, the only criticism I can conjure up is that I wanted more when the movie ended.

Originally released on dvd as a standalone film, Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story was later added to the official episode canon of Family Guy. The story is interesting enough, it's essentially an 80 minute "Road to" episode. When run in syndication, it's split up into three episodes, which makes sense.

It definitely wasnt just a cash grab, as these episodes are only available on this dvd. Therefore, if you're a dvd collector of the series, you'll be happy. All of the same sort of cutaways and gags are used here, as in the TV show, so the continuity is there. As well as the cast and crew. It makes sense though since it's actually part of the shows canon.

Absurd? Yes. Obscene? Yes. Funny? .. Kinda.

Family Guy is a cult show.. Or, it's steadily becoming that way, because let's face it, the last TV offerings of the show have NOT been up to par with the "old skool" FG episodes. Good, yes, but just not the Family Guy we all fought so hard to raise from the dead.

That being said, Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story! was what I've come to expect from Family Guy: funny moments alternating with hilarious moments (though they're pretty few and far between), periods of dead air, and lots of filler.

This is what happens when the corporate machine begins cranking out episodes instead of it being an artistic creation. Liken the new episodes to the old episodes by likening a reproduction of a Monet painting to the original. Loses something in translation.

The movie focuses on Stewie and his journey of self-discovery. At some times, it borders on just unbelievable, but always seems to redeem itself and justify the absurd turn the story just took.

All our old favorites return.. The Greased Up Deaf Guy, the Mayor, Kool-Aid man, the nudists... It's a nice walk down memory lane for the devotees of Family Guy.

Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story! is still worth a view for die-hard fans of the series and all the "old-timers" who remember the good old days on Fox. And don't let the dead air "grind your gears."