Something, Something, Something, Dark Side

Another power cut hits the Griffin household leaving them devoid of any form of media to distract them from one another. Faced with the horror of family conversation, Peter tells a story that follows on from his previous tale, following the young Jedi Luke and the Rebellion as they fight the forces of the Empire in a galaxy far, far away.

As with Blue Harvest before it, this "film" was promoted on DVD in the UK despite being less than an hour long. With my experience from Blue Harvest (where it screened for free on the BBC a few days after DVD release) I didn't buy it but did watch it for free when I got the chance because I did find that the previous Star Wars episode was very funny indeed. Ironically (considering they contrast with it), "Dark Side" echoes the second Robot Chicken Star Wars episode by managing to be both very funny but at the same time not quite as good as their first attempt.

The Family Guy special has the additional assistance of having the structure provided by Empire Strikes Back itself, rather than being all gags like RC was, and this does sustain it. Part of this is the value of Fox's FG being able to utilise the film and music as much as it does, so even if a specific moment isn't particularly funny, there is still the novelty value of it having the look and feel of the film itself. Of course this is not enough and it does help that, while not as rapid fire as Robot Chicken, this special is still very funny thanks to the usual Family Guy sense of humour and lots of clever gags at the gentle expense of Empire. Given that Family Guy does pop culture reference jokes, this is quite the partnership and does work well. I noticed more misses than in Blue Harvest, moments where I wasn't laughing, but the hits still outnumber these by quite some degree. The characters are well used as before and I was quite pleased that Herbert/Obi-wan had significantly less time here, since I thought he was overused in the first special.

Generally the film (extended episode) works well because the target audience will love the film and also get the sense of humour with which Family Guy affectionately spoofs it. This does have more misses in it than Blue Harvest but it is still very funny and worth seeing (although not worth the full cost of a DVD). Biggest laugh is saved for the end, with a repeat of the ribbing of Seth Green (Chris) really hitting the mark.

I actually downloaded this a few weeks ago, but just now watched it. It is MUCH MUCH more better and funnier than the first Star Wars episode. Without giving any of it away or spoiling it for anyone, I just wanted to say that every character that's in the regular Family Guy series has some part in this episode. Whether it's for the whole entire episode, or just a few seconds.

Plus a few cameo appearances.

It seems as though much thought was put into writing this episode. The last few Family Guy shows, in my opinion, seemed to be just "thrown out there", without a care so to say.

I have seen virtually every episode of family guy including blue harvest, all which are very funny and cause you to laugh. However in this movie, I had only found 3 lines that caused me to laugh, the rest was just filler that made no sense.

If you have not seen the original star wars movie you will be completely lost and most likely cause you to never watch family guy again as the person that I watched "Something, Something, Something Dark Side" with had stated after she had wasted just over 54 min of her life that she will never get back.

If you have nothing else to watch give it a go, hopefully you will enjoy it more than myself.

"Something, Something, Something, Dark Side," the second installment in Family Guy's affectionate skewering of the original Star Wars trilogy, takes on the formidable task of parodying The Empire Strikes Back. True to form, the Griffin family steps into the iconic roles: Peter brilliantly embodies the roguish charm and self-serving nature of Han Solo, Lois portrays the determined and often exasperated Princess Leia, Chris stumbles through as the naive yet hopeful Luke Skywalker, Brian offers his dry wit as the loyal Chewbacca, and Stewie delivers a hilariously megalomaniacal performance as Darth Vader. The casting, while absurd, cleverly mirrors the core dynamics of the original characters through the established personalities of the Family Guy ensemble.

Where The Empire Strikes Back delves into darker themes of betrayal, loss, and the complexities of good and evil, "Something, Something, Something, Dark Side" injects its signature brand of irreverent humor into these pivotal moments. The emotional weight of Han's capture and carbon freezing is undercut by Peter's typically self-absorbed reactions, and the shocking reveal of Darth Vader's parentage is delivered with Stewie's trademark blend of infantile petulance and grand villainy. The episode masterfully walks a tightrope, paying homage to the source material while simultaneously finding comedic gold in its most dramatic and memorable scenes. The pacing, typical of Family Guy, is rapid-fire, interspersing faithful recreations with unexpected cutaways and pop culture references that often have little to do with the Star Wars universe, yet somehow enhance the comedic chaos.

The contrast between the two narratives is stark yet effective. The Empire Strikes Back is a cinematic masterpiece renowned for its sophisticated storytelling, stunning visuals, and profound exploration of character relationships against a backdrop of galactic conflict. "Something, Something, Something, Dark Side," on the other hand, embraces lowbrow humor, often breaking the fourth wall and reveling in the absurd. However, both narratives share a core structure, and Family Guy's ability to map its characters and comedic sensibilities onto the Star Wars framework is a testament to the enduring power and universality of Lucas's original creation. The parody highlights the inherent drama and iconic moments of Empire by placing them in the context of the Griffin's dysfunctional family dynamic, often amplifying the inherent silliness that can be found even in the most serious of stories.

The cultural impact of Star Wars on Seth MacFarlane and Family Guy is undeniable. Throughout the series' run, Star Wars references have been a constant source of comedic fodder, demonstrating MacFarlane's deep affection for and encyclopedic knowledge of the franchise. "Something, Something, Something, Dark Side," along with its predecessors and successors in the "Laugh It Up, Fuzzball" trilogy, represents a significant manifestation of this cultural influence. These specials have become fan-favorite episodes, showcasing Family Guy's ability to engage with and satirize major pop culture phenomena while still delivering its unique brand of humor to a broad audience. The very existence of these meticulously crafted parodies speaks volumes about the lasting impact of Star Wars on creators and audiences alike.

On this unofficial holiday for Star Wars fans, "Something, Something, Something, Dark Side" offers a perfect way to celebrate the saga with a healthy dose of laughter. It's a reminder that even the most revered cultural touchstones are ripe for comedic interpretation, and that affection and parody can often go hand in hand. The episode's enduring popularity lies in its ability to entertain both die-hard Star Wars enthusiasts and casual Family Guy viewers, finding humor in the familiar tropes and iconic moments of The Empire Strikes Back through the warped and wonderful world of Quahog. May the fourth be with you... and may the cutaways be ever in your favor.

Ultimately, "Something, Something, Something, Dark Side" is a successful and hilarious tribute to The Empire Strikes Back, filtered through the irreverent lens of Family Guy. By cleverly casting its familiar characters in the roles of the Star Wars heroes and villains, the episode delivers a fresh and often absurd take on a beloved cinematic classic. While it stands in stark comedic contrast to the dramatic weight of its source material, its enduring appeal lies in its affectionate parody and its ability to make us laugh at the familiar tropes and iconic moments of a galaxy far, far away. It's a testament to the lasting cultural impact of Star Wars and Family Guy's unique ability to find humor in the most unexpected of places.

Honestly each gag was great there was a solid laugh every minute of this thing it was awesome