There,
it's out in the open. I just don't get what all the hoo-ha is about. Is
it because theres only ever really been two sitcoms ever that were set
in space (three if you include my ultra obscure reference to DAAS KAPITAL) that the nerds of the world are so protective over it?
The simple fact is, it's much like any other BBC sitcom from the 80s - pretty average and unbelievably dated.
Which
is probably why sitting down to watch Series 1-3 remastered was a
surprisingly enjoyable experience. Call me crazy, but after a few
episodes... I actually started to like it!
The show revolved
around the last human being in the universe, Dave Lister, a Chicken
Soup Machine Repair Man. Throw into the mix a deadpan computer called
Holly with an IQ of 6,000 and a feline humanoid who evolved from the
ship's cat for company. What you have is a pretty odd concoction... and
the host of Robot Wars.
The
early series episodes, it seems there is more so a sense of "The Odd
Couple" chemistry between Dave Lister and Arnold Rimmer, the two
central characters of the show (who have an intense dislike for each
other but are trapped together deep in space), rather than any truly
original Sci-Fi based comedy. And in that regard, the show works quite
well.
But more often than not, the show is plagued by Dr Who syndrome (crap sets, even worse special effects) which is both a blessing and a curse.
Certainly
one for fans (but if you are ever going to attempt to "discover" the
series for the first time, this is the best way in which to view it),
and will only heighten the intensity from fans to greenlight the long
mooted Red Dwarf movie.
EXTRAS
A
ridiculous amount of extras on offer here, which will keep the
hard-nosed buffs entertained for days on end (most of which, on the
couch in the basement of their mothers house).
There are a bunch of commentaries and a great documentary which is a superb wrap up of the Red Dwarf
history thus far. There is archive footage, old interviews, storyboards
- just a ridiculous amount of stuff. And it's simply superb. Even as a
non-fan, I was amazed and enthralled by it all, which is saying a lot.
If you're a fan, you would be mad not to already have this, or be on your way to the shop as you read this. Conclusion:
Movie 70% Extras: 90%
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