Mystery Science Theater 3000: XXV by Shout! Factory

Actors

• Joel Hodgson
• Michael J. Nelson
• Ann-Margret
• John Forsythe
• John Agar

Format

• Box set
• Color
• NTSC

Editorial Review

The Satellite of Love rides again with Mystery Science Theater 3000: XXV, a four-DVD set featuring a quartet of previously unreleased experiments from the critically acclaimed cult comedy series' lengthy small-screen run. The episodes included here offer an overview of the show's history, from its first season on cable (Robot Holocaust) to the end of creator Joel Hodgson's tenure as host in season five (Operation Kid Brother) and its transitional period with head writer Mike Nelson as the new human on board (Kitten with a Whip) in season six and its occasionally awkward merger with the Sci-Fi Channel (Revenge of the Creature). The episodes vary in terms of consistency–the Euro-spy adventure Kid Brother, with Sean Connery's brother Neil as an ersatz 007, is probably the best of the lot, while Revenge struggles to balance the riffing and a new recurring storyline (imposed by the network) with Mary Jo Pehl as Pearl Forrester and Kevin Murphy in elaborate ape makeup as sidekick Dr. Bobo. But the show's calling cards–its smart, eclectic humor and barrage of pop culture references–remain razor sharp and lightning fast in all four episodes, underscoring Mystery Science Theater 3000's enduring popularity.

Extras on the four-disc set, all produced by genre documentary specialists Ballyhoo Motion Pictures, echo the top-notch supplemental features found on most of Shout! Factory's MST3K releases: Jack Arnold at Universal is a serious and scholarly overview of the director's efforts for the studio, which included not only Revenge of the Creature but also such classics as The Incredible Shrinking Man and It Came from Outer Space. J. Elvis Weinstein (Dr. Larry Erhardt) and Bill Corbett, who voiced Crow T. Robot in seasons 8 to 10 while also playing the Observer/”Brain Guy,” are showcased in two lengthy Life After MST3K retrospectives, while Hodgson and Nelson introduce two episodes apiece. The introductions also provide a wealth of behind-the-scenes information, from Hodgson's recollection of the show's chaotic early days and his fondness for his final season on the show to Nelson discussing the show's move to the Sci-Fi Channel and the format changes imposed on the series by the network. –Paul Gaita