Mystery Science Theater 3000, Vol. XVI (The Corpse Vanishes / Warrior of the Lost World / Santa Claus / Night of the Blood Beast)[Limited Edition]
by Kevin Murphy
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Joel Hodgson, Kevin Murphy, Mike NelsonDirector: Kevin Murphy
Brand: Universal Studios
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Box set, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 360 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-12-01
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Shout! Factory
Movie Reviews of Mystery Science Theater 3000, Vol. XVI (The Corpse Vanishes / Warrior of the Lost World / Santa Claus / Night of the Blood Beast)[Limited Edition]
Movie Review: Santa Claus, Donald Pleasence, And The Paper Chase Guy...What's Not To Love?
Summary: 5 Stars
"Mystery Science Theater 3000 Volume XVI" is another winner from our friends at Best Brains and Shout Factory. Again, this set finds Joel, Mike and the Bots mocking four laughably bad movies from all across the cinematic horizon, and thoughtfully adds deluxe packaging with a miniature Tom Servo statuette and four mini posters.
While these films aren't my all-time favorites from the series, they are thoroughly mocked, and filled with many extras (my favorite are the Turkey Day 1995 spots and "Santa Claus Conquers the Devil") that make this an unbeatable package. The four films are "The Corpse Vanishes," "Warrior of the Lost World," Santa Claus," and "Night of the Blood Beast."
"The Corpse Vanishes," with a "Commando Cody" short (Episode 105) was the most trying of the episodes for me. Despite a hammy performance by Bela Lugosi as a mad scientist (what a shocker,) who has invented a special scent to further his evil plans, I just couldn't get into this movie. I view this as worthwhile mostly as a historical relic, as it's from the first season, showing off the humble KTMA roots of MST3K, complete with an even cheesier look than normal and, of course, the original voice of Tom Servo courtesy of J. Elvis Weinstein. Even at this early point in the show's run, the wit of Joel and the Bots is sharp, but no number of well-honed barbs can make the plodding pace of the film or short overly enjoyable. I generally dislike the old serial shorts, and particularly "Commando Cody." This is worth viewing, but unless you really love early horror films, probably not more than once.
"Warrior of the Lost World" (Episode 501) is an absolute gem of an episode. This episode has everything you could want: a ridiculous post-apocalyptic sci-fi plot, great hammy acting, and truly ridiculous technology. Written and directed by David Worth, and starring Robert Ginty, Persis Khambatta, and Donald Pleasence, this film actually contains far more talent than most MST3K episodes, but that talent is hilariously squandered in this film. This is another Joel episode, and Joel and the Bots have rarely been in better form. The riffing is pointed and hilarious, and Joel dressed up as Ginty in one of the host segments is unforgettable. The plot concerns a renegade biker and his talking motorcycle. This is no ordinary talking motorcycle, it's an extremely annoying motorcycle with very high-tech detection equipment that can spot and call out the presence of "geeks" and more at a mile range or so. Ginty, who sadly passed away last year, is best known for his roles in "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and "The Paper Chase," leading to him becoming known as "The 'Paper Chase' Guy" by Joel and the Bots, to great comedic effect. Persis Khambatta stars as the beautiful love interest while Donald Pleasence hams it up in one of his most hysterical bits of over-acting ever, playing the same role he always does as the crazy bad guy. The highlight of the episode is the interaction with the technological wizardry of the bike, and especially the fan favorite scene of Ginty and the bike versus "Megaweapon," which is a dump truck. This movie has to be seen to be believed and is one of my favorite MST3K episodes ever. As a special treat, the extras include an interview with David Worth about the project, and it is both entertaining and interesting.
"Santa Claus" (Episode 521) is a stupid Mexican kid's movie made by K. Gordon Murray, and features a truly bizarre re-telling of the Santa tale, ultimately boiling down to a good-versus-evil morality play. Along the way Santa (who lives in a castle in the clouds, and has some very unusual spying apparatus) confronts Pitch, the devil, who is the hammiest demon in the universe (I especially enjoyed his dancing.) We meet characters like Lupita, a girl who is poor but only wants a doll for Christmas, and her evil counterparts, three boys who plan to kidnap Santa in an unsporting manner. Without question my favorite scene has to be the opening shot where the children of the world sing and dance culturally appropriate songs (Not!) while Santa plays his organ. There is space in the extras devoted to this to very good effect, and despite my love for "Warrior of the Lost World," I think this is my enduring favorite of the set because of the juxtaposition of surrealism on a really stupid children's movie. "Weird enough for you, folks?"
"Night of the Blood Beast" with the short "Once Upon a Honeymoon"(Episode 701) was the "Turkey Day" 1995 episode, and receives lots of attention in the extras. This is one where the short was, for me, better than the movie. A guardian angel, Wilbur, comes down to preserve the honeymoon of a newly married couple, but the film turns into an exercise in writing a song ("The Wishing Song") and discussing appliances. Hear the actress sing lines like "I want a refrigerator with a door that will close and will stay closed...and a phone, a bright red phone, a kitchen phone!" The commentary from Mike and the Bots is absolutely priceless and makes this one of the highlights of the entire series, much like "Hired!"
"Night of the Blood Beast" only requires two words to fully grasp: Roger Corman. The film is about an astronaut who goes into space in an utterly ridiculous spacecraft, only to have something horrible happen to him: not only does he crash, he's impregnated by a Blood Beast, which must be seen to be believed (I especially like the animations under the microscope in the lab.) Of course the whole thing ends like every other movie in the genre does (it reminded me especially of "Zontar, The Thing From Venus,") with tragic deaths and a hope of renewal. It's a good episode, and I like it, but it will forever be overshadowed by the short.
This is a great set for lovers of cheesy movies everywhere, and I highly recommend it.
More Mystery Science Theater 3000, Vol. XVI (The Corpse Vanishes / Warrior of the Lost World / Santa Claus / Night of the Blood Beast)[Limited Edition] reviews:
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1 2 3 4 5 6
Summary of Mystery Science Theater 3000, Vol. XVI (The Corpse Vanishes / Warrior of the Lost World / Santa Claus / Night of the Blood Beast)[Limited Edition]
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