Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm

I enjoy these characters as much as anyone, but this movie was way too conventional. The appeal of the show is that it can go in so many nonsensical directions in just an 11 minute runtime. For this film, it seems like they thought they needed to keep a linear narrative going for the 75 minute runtime. I preferred it when things would go off the rails right from the start, and then keep getting more and more out of control. Of course, there are plenty of silly moments and goofy plot points, but compared to what we've been used to, this seems really tame, even as they add in explicit language. I recommend skipping this one--it offers minimal payoff.

Judging from a movie perspective, It's an improvement over the 2007 theater release, but is still filled with nonsense all the way through, which is expected from the humor of the show, but sometimes I feel like it detracts a bit from the enjoyment like the Mooninites that were funny at first but end up feeling kinda stale by the end of the film, the runtime feels a bit too short as well, but it has decent pacing. Aside from that, nothing I didn't expect, amazing animation for Aqua Teen standards tho, amazing song by RTJ as well, very much recommended if you enjoyed the show, won't blow your mind but will make you laugh.

ATHF maintained a consistent high quality for 15 years in air, and the recent shorts on YouTube felt just like the old series. So my expectations for this were pretty high. I won't say I'm disappointed, but moreso I got a mixed bag.

What works: First off, the animation is of notably higher quality than the series. Some fans have complained about it, but I enjoyed the higher quality animation. The first movie also had better animation than the series, albeit not to this extent. Speaking of the first movie, this one actually has a plot unlike the first one, and it's actually pretty engaging despite an inconsistent pace. Also, the intro song is amazing.

What doesn't work: The comedy is different. The zany absurdity and rambly, witty dialogue ATHF is know for is still there, but unfortunately it takes a backseat to more conventional and sometimes predictable jokes. Also, while I appreciate the effort to try something (somewhat) new, satire and social commentary is not ATHF's strong suit. The very few times they did it the series fell flat, and that's the same case with the movie.

Also, the Mooninite interruptions are funny at first but they get a little stale and repetitive as the movie goes on. However, the interactive texts are hilarious.

It's not all bad, the characters are mostly the same and there are some laughs to be had. Just not at the same nonstop pace as the series. Also the action sequences in here are brief but genuinely incredible. Plantasm is definitely worth a watch, and while not the strongest ATHF entry, it's something fans can appreciate, and it's relatively friendly to newcomers.

Like so many others, I've been a fan of Aqua Teen since the 2000s and was thrilled when this movie was announced. Unfortunately, the result was very disappointing.

The plot is certainly more focused than the previous outing, which while not perfect, retained the show's humour perfectly. This time, the audience receives a more linear story parodying the unlikable tech moguls we know and endure today, but the satire itself doesn't have much else to say other than pointing to the obvious faults and misdeeds these real life supervillains commit.

The classic characters are still very much themselves, particularly Meatwad, who is as naïve and innocent as ever. Peter Serafinowicz, an amazing impressionist and hilarious performer, is used for little more than a very good Robert Downey Jr. Mimic, which was a bit of a waste of such talent. Longtime fans may also be disappointed by the lack of favourites such as The Plutonians and The Cybernetic Ghost Of Christmas Past, who provided the show and previous film with some hysterical moments. Instead we receive a very dull villain sidekick in Elmer, the flat Japongaloids and Fraptaculans and the forgettable co-workers of Frylock.

While it was nice to see these characters again and not feel like soulless nostalgia such as Han Solo in The Force Awakens, they could and should have been used better, or at least be given better dialogue. Ultimately, I still want more Aqua Teen but not if it's as dreary as this sad, wet fart of a return.

In my very personal opinion, I have to admit that initially I felt quite disappointed with this film, because the behavior of the protagonist Frylock out of tune annoyed me a lot. To add further discontent, there was also the character of Frylock's friend, who was irritating not only from the point of view of drawing but also from the point of view of personality.

However, I have to say that with the passage of time the conversation became more interesting and I started to like the film. Although I didn't like it as much as a regular episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force, I was fascinated by how the plot evolved.

I noticed that the film definitely improved towards the end, with a more engaging narrative and a more articulated plot. Of course, the level of fun and comedy that this show has accustomed us to expect has not been fully achieved, but that does not mean that the film is to be thrown away.

In conclusion, I can certainly say that the Aqua Teen Hunger Force film is still a positive experience, able to offer moments of fun and entertainment with a narrative that combines various themes. Despite its initial slowness and the character of the characters that may not please everyone, the film offers a fun and interesting vision of the world of Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and for this I recommend the viewing to all fans of the genre.