Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm

I'm a huge fan of the show, so of course I was excited to watch a new movie. Sadly it wasn't nearly as good as the show was. I had hoped to see more familiar characters, but instead was introduced to several new and very interesting ones. It hurts me to say there's something ATHF I don't like, cuz the show was so brilliant and hilarious, but this movie just didn't do it for me. The humor seemed to be the same, but it just didn't deliver like it used to. I'm so sad. Still love you, ATHF.

This is the part where I just try to fulfill the ridiculous character requirements so I can submit my review.

Aqua Teen has always been a gem in my eyes, yet they can be completely deceptive. You can never expect, nor trust where a certain story (or mixture of nonsense) will end up, but that's why I love this show. This movie was surprisingly straightforward and I loved it. But of course, the trademark mannerisms are on point.

Don't look at the thumbnails for the film, you'll think it's some sort of superhero ripoff. This movie mainly plays off of the Amazon corporation, which yes I think it's a lazy step, but they make it work somehow. The main villain in the movie is kind of annoying and certainly not like the alien spider or Mr. Wong from the dickesode- he's not surreal, he's just a power hungry weird guy with a man bun that does yoga. But all I can say is that fans will be satisfied, there are epic moments for the characters, and it's amazing to see them separated only to unite again.

All in all, the movie has some of the greatest ATHF moments of all time, seriously. But the dull parts are flimsy and lame. Without them, this would have neared perfection. Oh and don't worry, the theme song is exquisite.

Admittedly it's not as absurdist as the show or the first movie, it actually tells a concise story. I could have done without all the Mooninite movie interruptions, though they were funny at times. It felt like an extended "villain of the week" style episode of Aqua Teen with Neil being a pretty funny inclusion.

Good to see all of the voice cast return, a few more little cameos would have been cool as it feels almost like a reunion since the show's cancellation. I just hope Carey Means got a better contract deal out of this one., and I really do hope the sequel bait at the very very end wasn't just a goof.

Aqua Teen could stand to return every couple years with something like this, but I would kill for a new season instead.

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.

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.