Between chemistry homework and club meetings, it can often be difficult for students to catch their favorite TV programs. However, a bit of respite arrives today in stores for fans of the stop-motion animated series “Robot Chicken” who can’t stay up until midnight or record the show. The “Robot Chicken” Season 3 DVD Box Set will go on sale for about $25. It is chock full of extras and commentary from creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich.
For those who haven’t seen or heard about “Robot Chicken,” here is a quick synopsis. Picture any action figure or doll from the past 30 years, from Voltron to G.I. Joe to Barbie. Throw in a claymation version of other pop culture characters from celebrities to (in)famous politicians. Set the two anywhere in the world and give them a theme, be it current events or character-specific drama. Now let the two go at each other in a caricatured yet violent way, and you have about a 45 second clip from “Robot Chicken.”
Don’t let the clunky definition steer you away, however, as the result must be seen to comprehend. “Robot Chicken” can be stylistically compared to the likes of “Family Guy” with regards to comedy, but the difference comes to bear in delivery. “Robot Chicken” will give the plot jumps and surprises that many fans want, but will do so as expletives and cartoon blood abound. The end result is a gut-busting experience, especially after a night spent enjoying a few frosty beverages.
The issues generally broached by the writers aren’t as politically charged as one might expect. While people at the forefront of current events regularly “appear” on the show (with the standard “Any likenesses to real people…” disclaimer), the subject matter they address rarely concerns their current exploits. The show instead focuses on highlighting “eccentric” qualities of these people or making light of the “quests” that surround classic toys from the 80s and 90s.
The best part about the show comes when the viewer has a connection to the character. For example, when the character Link from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time makes an appearance, one might expect a valiant and heroic character. However, the spoof of this classic hero will make any Zelda fan laugh at the portrayal of Hyrule’s savior.
While some people may have already seen most of the episodes, the DVD’s also include deleted scenes and commentary that seasoned viewers will also enjoy. In addition, the short episodes have quite a bit of replay value. Some of the skits on the DVD will need to be shared with friends in one of those “Dude, check this out” moments.
Season 3 has certainly lived up not only to the “Robot Chicken” name, but also the “Adult Swim” name. It fits in perfectly with the likes of “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” and “Sealab 2021”, with a similar type of spontaneous and off-beat humor that will catch viewers off guard every time.
