New CT Movie: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

[illusion]

I've watched it once and enjoyed it just as many times. The take on it this time was good but, like others have said, I was thinking back to old riffs - especially on new riffs that weren't as funny. I love the original episode and it's one of the episodes that got me into the series. I've got to stick with the old one as my favorite of the two though. But there were plenty of new classic lines like the "elfless" Mary Jo riff and "Because the second laziest man on Mars is gaining on me."

[solgroupie]

i really enjoyed it. the MST version of SCCTM was one of my first experiences with MST3K, and though it was never one of my favorites, i always liked it anyway. it's MST, how could i not like it? it's been what - seventeen years, since that MST3K release, so sure, humor has changed a bit since then. i knew i would be able to keep both versions separate in my memories.
i thought the riffing was great. frank is turning into one of my favorite riffers - he was so funny in this one, though they all had some great lines. what i found interesting (i don't think anyone has brought this up yet, but i could be wrong) were the extra scenes of the movie you got to see in the CT version. i'm assuming they ran the whole movie as it was, unlike MST3K, who, as we know, had to edit around movies to allow time for the host segments. and yeah, SCCTM is a lousy movie, which means you get to see more lousy scenes. but it added fresh riffs to it that you didn't have to compare to the original mistied take on it, and i liked that. i did find myself hearing original riffs in my head but it didn't bother me as much as i thought it might.
i'll still watch the MST3K version, because there were some great riffs in that one - my fave: "pills for dinner? who are we, judy garland?" but i really had fun with this CT. it is clear they enjoyed themselves throughout.

[Zombiejesus]

The riffing was superb from start to finish. I did, however recognize a few rehashed quips, or at least ones that were slight variations of the original MST3K. Like for instance the quip about the kids being unemotional because their Norwegian. In the original that joke was put on the Martian kids. In the CT version they simply replaced it on the Earth kids. Even though I thought this remake was a vast improvement over the original, I have to say that in a handful of cases I prefer the original quip.

Two examples:

Santa: "We're going out the old-fashioned way..."
Joel: "Guns ablazin'!"
Rather than: "Hammered!"

Also I prefer Joel noticing that Mrs. Claus looks like Babs Bush, rather than the weaker "Santa's mom!" It is especially funny considering what we know about Barbara Bush's, uh, personality.

I haven't cared much for any of the host segments in any of the episodes so far. Perhaps that's because I want them to leave the theatre like in days of old. But the one host segment they did for SCCTM was just hilarious. I saw it as an ironic jab at their self-imposed limitation of always being silhouettes. Just outstanding!

Two things outside of the writing that I really enjoyed:

All the laughing going on among all five riffers. It gave this episode a warmth the previous episodes lacked. Not to mention how fitting that is for this time of year.

And also, I got a real kick out of seeing Joel do the silent cha-cha-cha dance during the opening credits. As was mentioned by others, it's clear that they all had a great time.

As did I. 10/10

[Torgo]

I got my copy in this morning. Unfortunatly, it wouldn't play in my DVD player.

The good news is that I did not recieve a faulty disc, because I tried my portable and it works just fine. So, now I fear my DVD player is beginning to crap out of me. I have to charge my portable up and hook it up to my TV, so I won't be able to bask in Titanic goodness until tonight.

[Torgo]

Just finished. Thought the beginning was slow, but it picked up toward the middle. Overall, one of the weaker releases yet, but it had moments where I laughed out loud, plus one that had me laughing for a good 30 seconds afterward...

"Stop! Droppo time!"

I think I'll stick with the MST version, though.

[crowschmo]

Chocham: "Did you call me, Kimar?"

Josh: "I --- thought I called you Chocham."

Chocham: "It is close to the time of the Christmas."

Josh: "And the Hanukkah, HELLO." ;D

[Chuck]

Having seen them do this live before I watched the DVD, I have to say that I found this version far superior to the MST3K version.

Sometimes, revisiting is a good thing. It is in this case.

And by the way, the ending turned into a sing-along. No "cha cha cha". And Joel was encouraging the singing!

[Broadsword]

I know that I'm in the minority here but I really didn't think it was that funny at all. i t had few good riffs but I really didn't have any laugh out loud funny moments for me. I'll stick with the original and really hope they don't redo anymore MST episodes again.

[Chuck]

Dec 20, 2008 23:04:28 GMT -5 Broadsword said:

I know that I'm in the minority here but I really didn't think it was that funny at all. i t had few good riffs but I really didn't have any laugh out loud funny moments for me. I'll stick with the original and really hope they don't redo anymore MST episodes again.

You should have seen them live.

[mummifiedstalin]

I'll call them equivalent on the funny meter.

I found the CT riffing to be a bit a bit darker somehow, even harsh, not necessarily in terms of "hating the movie," but just generally in a less cheery mood.

But then I think I can say that about all of CT. One review of them says that what's missing is the "warmth" factor from MST, and that seems right. Where MST was often satirical, I find that the CT group at times goes more in the cynical direction. It's all funny, but just different flavors of funny.

[Chuck]

Dec 22, 2008 23:04:12 GMT -5 mummifiedstalin said:

I'll call them equivalent on the funny meter.

I found the CT riffing to be a bit a bit darker somehow, even harsh, not necessarily in terms of "hating the movie," but just generally in a less cheery mood.

But then I think I can say that about all of CT. One review of them says that what's missing is the "warmth" factor from MST, and that seems right. Where MST was often satirical, I find that the CT group at times goes more in the cynical direction. It's all funny, but just different flavors of funny.

Comes from living in L.A., I'd bet.

[Broadsword]

Dec 20, 2008 23:26:35 GMT -5 Chuck said:

Dec 20, 2008 23:04:28 GMT -5 Broadsword said:

I know that I'm in the minority here but I really didn't think it was that funny at all. i t had few good riffs but I really didn't have any laugh out loud funny moments for me. I'll stick with the original and really hope they don't redo anymore MST episodes again.

You should have seen them live.

That might be true, I actually love the other CT films. Just not this one.

[Mighty Jack]

Dec 22, 2008 23:04:12 GMT -5 mummifiedstalin said:

I'll call them equivalent on the funny meter.

I found the CT riffing to be a bit a bit darker somehow, even harsh, not necessarily in terms of "hating the movie," but just generally in a less cheery mood.

But then I think I can say that about all of CT. One review of them says that what's missing is the "warmth" factor from MST, and that seems right. Where MST was often satirical, I find that the CT group at times goes more in the cynical direction. It's all funny, but just different flavors of funny.

Hmm, I don't personally feel that. I mean you don't have the buddy, father figure stuff from the host segments ala MST, but the Judy Garland riff from the original is certainly not a light and fluffy quip.

Josh might be adding some more of the cynical side, even his Servo did that. But generally I still get that old school warmth, especially from Joel.


And I watch both back to back not long ago... CT version trumps MST by miles for me.

[Phantom Engineer]

Well I came late to the party, I just downloaded it last night and watched it today. I've never been a big fan of the MST ep, I am considerably repulsed by the movie but I guess I was prepared for that and found it very funny. Maybe my favorite CT yet. I'm as surprised as anyone.

[Captain Hygiene]

Finally got a chance to watch the episode (thanks Mummi )
It's been a while since I saw the MST version because my friend has had it on permanent loan for a couple years now, so it's a bit tricky for me to compare the riffing directly. That said, I'm pretty sure this episode was funnier. MST's Martians went down a bit in my estimation after I watched Santa Claus. It was still a good episode, but not one of my all-time favorites.

Joke for joke, I'm pretty sure that the CT episode was funnier, with a few points against it: the MST episode contains a few of my all-time favorite riffs (the "Get the hell out of my shop!" and "Smoking is good for you!" lines when the reporter interviews Santa, "We'll go out the old-fashioned way-" "Gun's a-blazin'!", and "Santa Claus: Killed in Vietnam" at the end, for starters), and it was unexpectedly weird to watch the movie without those bits.

I know CT isn't MST (and I don't want it to be), but I do admit that the show's host segments added more to the episode than the skits here. They're limited by the fact that the intro skit and anything during the film is purely in shadowrama, but I can't really complain too much since that was an intentional production choice.

The biggest problem was touched on in other threads - even though the jokes are funnier here, there's still a major difference in delivery between MST and CT. It's not enough to spoil the riffing for me, though, and I still think they're improving.

Funniest episode? I don't know, it may tie with Doomsday Machine, for which I have a particular fondness. It's definitely worth watching in any case.