Review of Red Dwarf: Back to Earth
Sorry for the delay, but I've been too busy to type up a long review. This was pieced together in increments, when I could grab the time.
Ten years and 5 days after its last episode aired, Red Dwarf is resurrected in a 3-part last hurrah titled "Back to Earth".
Disclaimer: I am not up to date with Red Dwarf's later seasons, although I am quite familiar with the earlier material.
It's hard to review Red Dwarf quite as I do my other space operas. Continuity, plot, character development etc isn't taken quite as seriously because, well, it's a comedy, and that takes a back seat to getting a "larf". For example, I understand that Rimmer at some point (after I stopped watching) was restored back to life, but in RD:BTE he's got the "H" on his forehead again. Presumably he died again, after aging approximately 9 or ten years. But anyway, I won't let these things hold me up from a review, I can always be shallow about stuff.
For me, the first (of three) part was a non-starter. I can see why the viewing figures halved after the first show. The writers didn't move the action along to the "alternate universe" fast enough, so by the first cliffhanger all we had seen was:
- Lister messing with Rimmer
- The crew going after a giant squid
- A new hologram show up to threaten Rimmer's existence.
Or basically, the same old shit they always did on Red Dwarf. Except everyone looked old and tired. Well, not Kryten, but of course he was under two inches of makeup. Cat (Danny John-Jules) however, has kept his physique in phenomenal shape (he just needed a bit of a facelift). You would not think a 48-49 year old man could pull off a skintight purple lame' jumpsuit (which for me really was the highlight of part 1), but there it was! OK, thinking back, they probably don't look so bad. Cat and Rimmer were both born in 1960, Lister 1964. They could look worse - after 10 years, they could have been unrecognizable (witness the "Colin Baker Effect").
Fortunately things got more interesting in the 2nd part. Typical of Red Dwarf there were bits that worked (Cat dancing out of the TV, the kids on the bus) and bits that didn't (anything that involved a joke being repeated ad nauseum). It was weird however, to see Red Dwarf sans laugh track, and with CGI, a real musical score, cinemetography, etc. I think I actually missed the cheap stuff.
Also, where's Holly? Did I miss something along the way, or am I forgetting the rule of thumb for enjoying Red Dwarf: you're doing it wrong if you think about the show logically?
However I probably don't violate the rule too much to say: it has totally gone over my head how Red Dwarf is patterned after Blade Runner. Hmm, maybe it's been too long since I've seen the movie but I just don't get that at all.
Anyway, in the end, our heroes do not die (I would've been OK with that), but weren't actually in the alternate universe. They were poisoned by a hallucinogenic squid who then spawned off the reality that we (as in me, you) live in as an alternate universe to them (alternate dimensions 101: every dream or hallucination becomes its own universe)
In all, the sendoff was funny and lame, clever and stupid, sweet and vulgar. Or, basically, what we've come to expect of Red Dwarf.
Ten years and 5 days after its last episode aired, Red Dwarf is resurrected in a 3-part last hurrah titled "Back to Earth".
Disclaimer: I am not up to date with Red Dwarf's later seasons, although I am quite familiar with the earlier material.
It's hard to review Red Dwarf quite as I do my other space operas. Continuity, plot, character development etc isn't taken quite as seriously because, well, it's a comedy, and that takes a back seat to getting a "larf". For example, I understand that Rimmer at some point (after I stopped watching) was restored back to life, but in RD:BTE he's got the "H" on his forehead again. Presumably he died again, after aging approximately 9 or ten years. But anyway, I won't let these things hold me up from a review, I can always be shallow about stuff.
For me, the first (of three) part was a non-starter. I can see why the viewing figures halved after the first show. The writers didn't move the action along to the "alternate universe" fast enough, so by the first cliffhanger all we had seen was:
- Lister messing with Rimmer
- The crew going after a giant squid
- A new hologram show up to threaten Rimmer's existence.
Or basically, the same old shit they always did on Red Dwarf. Except everyone looked old and tired. Well, not Kryten, but of course he was under two inches of makeup. Cat (Danny John-Jules) however, has kept his physique in phenomenal shape (he just needed a bit of a facelift). You would not think a 48-49 year old man could pull off a skintight purple lame' jumpsuit (which for me really was the highlight of part 1), but there it was! OK, thinking back, they probably don't look so bad. Cat and Rimmer were both born in 1960, Lister 1964. They could look worse - after 10 years, they could have been unrecognizable (witness the "Colin Baker Effect").
Fortunately things got more interesting in the 2nd part. Typical of Red Dwarf there were bits that worked (Cat dancing out of the TV, the kids on the bus) and bits that didn't (anything that involved a joke being repeated ad nauseum). It was weird however, to see Red Dwarf sans laugh track, and with CGI, a real musical score, cinemetography, etc. I think I actually missed the cheap stuff.
Also, where's Holly? Did I miss something along the way, or am I forgetting the rule of thumb for enjoying Red Dwarf: you're doing it wrong if you think about the show logically?
However I probably don't violate the rule too much to say: it has totally gone over my head how Red Dwarf is patterned after Blade Runner. Hmm, maybe it's been too long since I've seen the movie but I just don't get that at all.
Anyway, in the end, our heroes do not die (I would've been OK with that), but weren't actually in the alternate universe. They were poisoned by a hallucinogenic squid who then spawned off the reality that we (as in me, you) live in as an alternate universe to them (alternate dimensions 101: every dream or hallucination becomes its own universe)
In all, the sendoff was funny and lame, clever and stupid, sweet and vulgar. Or, basically, what we've come to expect of Red Dwarf.
Tags: sci-fi
Mood: 
busy
Labels: red dwarf
posted by Skunque at
7:29 PM
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