'Futurama: Bender's Game'

The third straight-to-DVD feature for Futurama is Bender's Game, available November 4, 2008. Previous Futurama movies on DVD were Bender's Big Score and Beast with a Billion Backs.

Bender's Game sends fans on a Dungeons and Dragons-esque journey. With fuel prices skyrocketing, the Planet Express crew sets off on a dangerous mission to infiltrate the world's only dark-matter mine, source of all spaceship fuel. But deep beneath the surface, they discover a far stranger place, a medieval land of dragons and sorcery and intoxicated knights who look suspiciously like Bender.

Returning to Futurama is George Takai, the iconic Captain Sulu from the original Star Trek series. Making his first impression (get it?) on Futurama is Rich Little.

Bender's Game is packed with special features. Hosted by David X. Cohen, "Dungeons & Dragons & Futurama" chronicles the influence of the classic role-playing fantasy game on the franchise. Other special features include outtakes, cast commentary, an anti-piracy message from Bender, an interactive Futurama Genetics Laboratory, a sneak peek at the next Futurama epic and more.

Bender's Game has a story that meanders, but there's a strong enough throughline to keep it from losing your interest. The feature was written in four parts, by four writers. You can see and feel when each part begins, but that overall story keeps them tied together. Bender's Game has a better story than Beast with a Billion Backs, but it's not as fun as Bender's Big Score. Though, it is chock full of clever and intelligent jokes and sight gags. You'll have a great time watching it.