In the words of Public Enemy may I urge you, Don't Believe the Hype! Having been a fan of the old days (when Rob Grant collaborated) I was looking forward to this with a healthy dose of cynicism. Sadly, I wasn't proved wrong. It all seemed a bit tired - tired actors, tired scripts... The banter seemed strained and flowed about as much as my non-existent tears of laughter. The introduction of the nubile new hologram to add some interest was a bit embarrassing - it didn't work with Chloe Annett as Mk2 Christine Kochanski and doesn't work now as far as I'm concerned. I'm reserving judgement, however, at least until part two. This instalment left me a bit cold and instead of excitedly anticipating the next part I'm more inclined to dig out some DVDs and reminisce about the good old days!
30 Reviews
Welcome back
michael-115113 April 2009
Afficianados who attend conventions, call each other smegheads and think Kochanski is a cost-effective substitute for Viagra, may have been disappointed by this resurrection - aptly on screen at Easter. But after a slow start, with the arrival of the Russian Hologram and surrealistic twists and turns, I think we got our moneyworth.
Topical comments about the banks abounded, the aforesaid Ms Kochanski made an appearance towards the end and the aging performers gave it plenty of oomph. There's such a dearth of decent comedy on television, when vintage stuff like this materializes, it takes a while to acclimatise.
I think the metaphysical notion of searching for your maker to extend your life is entirely plausible. Had Luc Goddard directed, instead of Doug Naylor, it might have made media studies courses. True there were not many huge belly laughs...but it's not that sort of comedy. A good effort, a reminder of our past successes before the degeneration into "character" comedy with little or no situation. And a lesson for all of us. You may think it's all over...it is now.
Topical comments about the banks abounded, the aforesaid Ms Kochanski made an appearance towards the end and the aging performers gave it plenty of oomph. There's such a dearth of decent comedy on television, when vintage stuff like this materializes, it takes a while to acclimatise.
I think the metaphysical notion of searching for your maker to extend your life is entirely plausible. Had Luc Goddard directed, instead of Doug Naylor, it might have made media studies courses. True there were not many huge belly laughs...but it's not that sort of comedy. A good effort, a reminder of our past successes before the degeneration into "character" comedy with little or no situation. And a lesson for all of us. You may think it's all over...it is now.
Back to Earth (Part One)
MrFilmAndTelevisionShow3 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This felt completely different to all other series of Red Dwarf, every set was different, the corridors unfamiliar, the humour while still quality was less frequent, the story sort of bizarre but that's fine, I don't hate this episode, people giving it a one are being very disingenuous indeed, I have never seen any film or TV show that deserved a one, there is merit in everything I've yet seen and this episode is fine, just fine, no more, no less.
Disappointing and smug
alainenglish18 April 2009
Warning: Spoilers
"Red Dwarf" made a return to UK screens earlier this year at Easter with a three-part episode called "Back to Earth" and is in effect, a sequel to "Back to Reality", an episode from the fifth season. The series has moved from BBC2 to satellite comedy channel Dave. The result, after nine years away, is disappointing and a little bit smug.
After surviving the disaster that nearly destroyed Red Dwarf at the end of the last series, the old crew Dave Lister (Craig Charles), Rimmer (Craig Barrie), the Cat (Danny-John Jules) and Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) are sucked into an alternate dimension where they discover they are fictional characters in a TV show called..."Red Dwarf". Their quest is to find their creator in order to successfully prolong their life-span.
At first glance the show still looks good, and the actors have no problem slipping back into their characters. Indeed the first episode, which is largely ship-bound, is quite hilarious in places and demonstrates the kind of wit the old series did so well.
However, the plot borrows it's alternate reality ideas from "Eerie Indiana" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and nearly everything else from "Blade Runner". The overload of science fiction ideas and references severely compromises the comedy and by the second part the laughs have run out.
The "Coronation Street" crossover (tying with the fact Craig Charles is now a regular on the soap) allows for a very interesting scene in which the actor Craig Charles has an external conversation with Lister, a character he plays. This is a deliciously surreal moment, but the crossover also allows for a lot of irritating in-jokes and smug references - "Hey, Dave!" Lister is repeatedly told, "You've got a TV channel named after you!".
I would dearly love to see "Red Dwarf" be allowed to continue but judging from this the possibility of seeing anything funny or worth watching is not very strong.
We'll wait and see.
After surviving the disaster that nearly destroyed Red Dwarf at the end of the last series, the old crew Dave Lister (Craig Charles), Rimmer (Craig Barrie), the Cat (Danny-John Jules) and Kryten (Robert Llewellyn) are sucked into an alternate dimension where they discover they are fictional characters in a TV show called..."Red Dwarf". Their quest is to find their creator in order to successfully prolong their life-span.
At first glance the show still looks good, and the actors have no problem slipping back into their characters. Indeed the first episode, which is largely ship-bound, is quite hilarious in places and demonstrates the kind of wit the old series did so well.
However, the plot borrows it's alternate reality ideas from "Eerie Indiana" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and nearly everything else from "Blade Runner". The overload of science fiction ideas and references severely compromises the comedy and by the second part the laughs have run out.
The "Coronation Street" crossover (tying with the fact Craig Charles is now a regular on the soap) allows for a very interesting scene in which the actor Craig Charles has an external conversation with Lister, a character he plays. This is a deliciously surreal moment, but the crossover also allows for a lot of irritating in-jokes and smug references - "Hey, Dave!" Lister is repeatedly told, "You've got a TV channel named after you!".
I would dearly love to see "Red Dwarf" be allowed to continue but judging from this the possibility of seeing anything funny or worth watching is not very strong.
We'll wait and see.
Be prepared...
DuqNcver11 April 2009
All those in the UK who have seen this have already started to either tear it apart or embrace it as something amazing. I, on the other hand, am in the US... and had to take a few extra steps to see this. First, those of you who are expecting a canned laughter to tell you which spots are funny, none here... if you'll miss it, you probably won't like it that much. Second, those of you who bought or downloaded the books-on-tape of the Red Dwarf series (as read by some of the stars of the show) and enjoyed them... you're in for a true treat. Without the audience laughter, it felt like they were performing just for me. It had a very intimate feel to it, I can't say much more without giving away anything... then again, if you're a true fan in the UK or US, you've already seen it or found a way to see it. Just brilliant.
Did we miss a season between seasons 8 and 9?
pfr16854 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
How did Kochanski die? Why is Rimmer a hologram? If everyone made it to the mirror universe and this is it, why aren't they all holograms and why isn't Rimmer the captain? Nothing gets explained; it's almost like seasons 6, 7, and 8 never occurred. Should have stopped at 8 seasons.
A welcome return of old friends
dshinmd17 May 2009
I don't usually write reviews but all these rubbish comments denigrating an exceptional effort have me miffed.
After a decade and several weak seasons Red Dwarf returns to its core with the 4 main characters doing what they do best, dealing with the trials and tribulations of being 3 million years in deep space.
The story is solid as Doug Naylor delivers a great script. The Blade Runner references are both smart and funny, but they won't confuse it if you've never seen Blade Runner. The special effects are excellent despite a very limit budget. The actors are all spot on.
I for one was thrilled to have Red Dwarf return. Perhaps Doug, Chris, Danny, Robert and Craig deliver best with a tight budget and the odds against them.
Darn the movie – Make more shows like these!
After a decade and several weak seasons Red Dwarf returns to its core with the 4 main characters doing what they do best, dealing with the trials and tribulations of being 3 million years in deep space.
The story is solid as Doug Naylor delivers a great script. The Blade Runner references are both smart and funny, but they won't confuse it if you've never seen Blade Runner. The special effects are excellent despite a very limit budget. The actors are all spot on.
I for one was thrilled to have Red Dwarf return. Perhaps Doug, Chris, Danny, Robert and Craig deliver best with a tight budget and the odds against them.
Darn the movie – Make more shows like these!
They Shouldn't Have Bothered
jono197512 April 2009
I've been a Red Dwarf fan since I watched the very first episode on the BBC all those years ago. I even liked the later series, even if they weren't quite so good.
I was really looking forward to these three new episodes thanks to Dave, but I expecting to be disappointed. Unfortunately, I was. It would have been best if they'd not made them.
The problem for me is that I just didn't find them funny. It seems the Sci-Fi elements of here came first and the comedy second, this never used to be the case. Also, no Norman Lovett, he was always great.
Sorry guys, what a missed opportunity. Perhaps some things are best left alone.
I was really looking forward to these three new episodes thanks to Dave, but I expecting to be disappointed. Unfortunately, I was. It would have been best if they'd not made them.
The problem for me is that I just didn't find them funny. It seems the Sci-Fi elements of here came first and the comedy second, this never used to be the case. Also, no Norman Lovett, he was always great.
Sorry guys, what a missed opportunity. Perhaps some things are best left alone.
Off to a good start
moby197410 April 2009
Well 1st one is down and was it good?........well I have liked the show from the start, not a big t-shirt wearing fan lol but enough to catch each show and so when I heard about this and fact it's been so long and the film that never happened....well I did not hold much hope and felt that this was going to be cheap and unfunny and done for die hard fans who will swear no matter how bad it was that it was funny.......but this is not the case, what they have done is taken a risk and spent more money on it than I ever thought they would, it's not ILM effects but it's very good for a show of its kind, and though the effects have changed its to see the guys have not, they seem to be back into their roles as though they had only been away for a few weeks from our screens, yes more wrinkles here and there but they all hit their lines of a script hats just as good as past ones, yes it's only been one show but if this is signs of things to come then all should be good......but one odd thing is no studio laughter, I don't need a hint to tell me it's funny and where to laugh but just feels odd after all these years.
Painful, self gratifying rubbish
NotWar2 February 2010
I didn't have high hopes for Red Dwarf: Back to Earth, back when it was announced. It had been a while since they had made anything, and times they had a-changed since.
However I tried to remain positive, remembering the good things about Red Dwarf; so when it aired on Dave, I watched. All three painfully unfunny episodes.
I want that time back.
I just cannot begin to fathom how so many people could think that this was even remotely a decent "mini-series" - the jokes were stupid, the references they made to the show during the bulk of the episodes were horrible and self indulgent and everything just made me cringe and wish none of it had ever happened.
I hope and pray they don't decide to make a new series, based on how bloody awful this three parter was. Regardless of what I read on the internet - die hard fans refusing to see the truth about their "beloved series"; I think the scene at Christmas in HMV sealed the deal. The shelves bursting with sad looking Back to Earth DVDs nobody wanted.
Avoid like your life depends on it. Your sanity sure does.
However I tried to remain positive, remembering the good things about Red Dwarf; so when it aired on Dave, I watched. All three painfully unfunny episodes.
I want that time back.
I just cannot begin to fathom how so many people could think that this was even remotely a decent "mini-series" - the jokes were stupid, the references they made to the show during the bulk of the episodes were horrible and self indulgent and everything just made me cringe and wish none of it had ever happened.
I hope and pray they don't decide to make a new series, based on how bloody awful this three parter was. Regardless of what I read on the internet - die hard fans refusing to see the truth about their "beloved series"; I think the scene at Christmas in HMV sealed the deal. The shelves bursting with sad looking Back to Earth DVDs nobody wanted.
Avoid like your life depends on it. Your sanity sure does.
A real treat after an absence of 10 years
DVD_Connoisseur11 April 2009
It's been 10 years since "Red Dwarf" last graced the small screen and the new 3 part special is a real treat.
I had my doubts about the "Red Dwarf" return, imagining a shoestring budget and heart-hearted script but "Back to Earth" is the real deal. Doug Naylor both writes and directs this episode and this is clearly a project that the whole team were passionate to bring it from the germ of an idea to reality.
Bearing a resemblance to the later seasons of "Dwarf", we are presented with a witty script, rather excellent sets, decent effects and, of course, a totally unique cast.
A delight and a genuine Easter treat. Recommended.
I had my doubts about the "Red Dwarf" return, imagining a shoestring budget and heart-hearted script but "Back to Earth" is the real deal. Doug Naylor both writes and directs this episode and this is clearly a project that the whole team were passionate to bring it from the germ of an idea to reality.
Bearing a resemblance to the later seasons of "Dwarf", we are presented with a witty script, rather excellent sets, decent effects and, of course, a totally unique cast.
A delight and a genuine Easter treat. Recommended.
It fulfills some needs the creators had, I guess
mrpras1 May 2010
It probably worked better on paper, but it somehow doesn't work for me.
The new effects, the total change of the feel of the series, the lack of canned laughter, the new wrinkles and the general lack of humour makes the program seem very different to the original.
It's fine for a DVD extra, and was probably fun for the team to get back together to do this. But nothing like the actual series. Perhaps it's because I'm expecting it to be like the original.
If you liked the original and want to see this strange revisit to the people who made Red Dwarf - just keep in mind it's more a look into the minds of the makers than actually fun or entertaining.
If the original had carried on getting worse (from series 6 on) and kept on getting progressively worse every year until 2009 - this is what Red Dwarf would have been. They should have cancelled it at series 5.
There are some moments in this 3-part "mini series" which make me cringe and others that made me shake my head in disappointment. At no moment did I actually enjoy it, not even a little.
But I did get insight into the feelings of the creators, which was nice.
The new effects, the total change of the feel of the series, the lack of canned laughter, the new wrinkles and the general lack of humour makes the program seem very different to the original.
It's fine for a DVD extra, and was probably fun for the team to get back together to do this. But nothing like the actual series. Perhaps it's because I'm expecting it to be like the original.
If you liked the original and want to see this strange revisit to the people who made Red Dwarf - just keep in mind it's more a look into the minds of the makers than actually fun or entertaining.
If the original had carried on getting worse (from series 6 on) and kept on getting progressively worse every year until 2009 - this is what Red Dwarf would have been. They should have cancelled it at series 5.
There are some moments in this 3-part "mini series" which make me cringe and others that made me shake my head in disappointment. At no moment did I actually enjoy it, not even a little.
But I did get insight into the feelings of the creators, which was nice.
Smegging Brilliant!
gallaman19 May 2009
Naylor obviously could not stand to put out a sequel that did not measure up to the original so he put all his creativity into this series. He did not disappoint. The self references are delicious, the ham-handed references deliriously funny, the absurdity so thick you could cut it with a dull laser. Combine all that with truly touching moments and you have a gem of a series.
My ten year old daughter laughed until she cried playing back one slapstick action scene. I had to turn it off to get her to go to bed.
For me it was like seeing an old friend, tinged with sadness that the encounter has to end. I yearn for more.
Thank you Red Dwarf.
My ten year old daughter laughed until she cried playing back one slapstick action scene. I had to turn it off to get her to go to bed.
For me it was like seeing an old friend, tinged with sadness that the encounter has to end. I yearn for more.
Thank you Red Dwarf.
What a load of smegging SHITE !!!
digiphorik13 April 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This was awful !! This actually made me angry to watch as I'm a big fan of red dwarf and I feel they didn't even try to make it live up to the old red Dwarf we all know and love.
To be honest the plot was OK, it needed a bit of hamming up but it was alright. The script however was absolute tripe. I found myself anxious and frowning whilst watching this.
1) It wasn't funny at all.
2) The acting was tired terrible from all the cast apart from Kryten.
3) The Scipt was lame & terrible.
4) The story constantly contradicted itself and no care was taken to make sure this wasn't the case.
4) The camera work was lazy.
5) The editing was so very sloppy and special effects were not needed.
6) The casting for all the other characters was SHITE !!! Infarct, the only good casting there was were the two kids on the bus. Their acting outdid all the rest of the cast !! It was a rubbish tired old disaster..!!! An insult to the series !! If they make more red dwarf they should watch the stuff they made in the 90's as thats when i feel red dwarf was at its best.
To be honest the plot was OK, it needed a bit of hamming up but it was alright. The script however was absolute tripe. I found myself anxious and frowning whilst watching this.
1) It wasn't funny at all.
2) The acting was tired terrible from all the cast apart from Kryten.
3) The Scipt was lame & terrible.
4) The story constantly contradicted itself and no care was taken to make sure this wasn't the case.
4) The camera work was lazy.
5) The editing was so very sloppy and special effects were not needed.
6) The casting for all the other characters was SHITE !!! Infarct, the only good casting there was were the two kids on the bus. Their acting outdid all the rest of the cast !! It was a rubbish tired old disaster..!!! An insult to the series !! If they make more red dwarf they should watch the stuff they made in the 90's as thats when i feel red dwarf was at its best.
Some don't like change.....I loved it
moby197415 April 2009
Great stuff!!!! Now this was always going to be a love it hate it and people don't like change, and yes it was missing details and fill in's from when we last saw the crew but face it when getting the green light you pitch a show that will fill 3 half hour shows/will not be so far up a fans backside that only they will understand/fill it with past events and run out of time for a new story/be fresh and funny, and then once they can do this money changes hands and they get their shot at what is really a pitch at another series, yes money from making it but more so with DVD sales in mind but if it gets the numbers then they will get another series and thats the big money for the guys. For the people who hate it well it comes down to would you rather they never do anything ever again? or get a shot at getting a series? because if you want them back on TV everyone must get behind the show and sales of DVD which will prob be out soon, its only then will the show be made, not saying like it just because of this......you can still not be keen but its only way to get them back as its been so long and this was testing the market and to be honest I loved it, its grown and though the jokes were thin on the ground in places it had some gems and the acting was up a few grades and the effects, I also loved the very nice setups from the all time great BladeRunner, and the guys though with a few more wrinkles were as they have always been and seem to love playing the parts once again and I hope they get the chance to do so again but I do think that they could do with some new talent for stories should they ever get a new series, until then I do think the boys done good with Back To Earth.
Did George Lucas direct this? yet another murder of a great franchise...
nickniggler7 February 2010
I was stoked when i heard that there was gonna be some new episodes of red dwarf...but oh my quantum hazard, worst reheated bullcrap ever....
Script : self indulgend and boring as hell. 3d animations: poor at best....
the only good bit in the 3 episodes is the reflection joke done in aftereffects....other than that: flat jokes, flat scenes, flat acting ...
if the original series is funny as vindaloo is hot and spicy, this is a Sunday-rost in comparison....
3 out of 10 , buuuhhhhhh....
why can't you people leave things from the past alone...?
Script : self indulgend and boring as hell. 3d animations: poor at best....
the only good bit in the 3 episodes is the reflection joke done in aftereffects....other than that: flat jokes, flat scenes, flat acting ...
if the original series is funny as vindaloo is hot and spicy, this is a Sunday-rost in comparison....
3 out of 10 , buuuhhhhhh....
why can't you people leave things from the past alone...?
Good laughs and twisted as usual!
jmailbox9 January 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this three part series one after the other, and found it funny, entertaining and was left hoping for more! Admittedly part one had a few slow moments and I was left wondering how we got from the end of Series VIII to this point in time, however it makes more sense later on as (yet unmade) series 9 and 10 are referred to frequently. I hope we do get another two or more series out of the franchise.
The Cat I think is my favourite character in these episodes. I also got a good laugh when the crew are in the comic-book shop and they contact the president of the Red Dwarf fan club... "Sorry to interrupt the Warhammer mate". Perhaps it's just me, but I was originally introduced to the series (back in high school) by classmates who were right into Warhammer and painting up those geeky D&D miniatures.
All up I thought they did well with this mini-series. To me it fits nicely with the usual twisted and bizarre story-lines of previous Red Dwarf seasons and is well worth watching.
The Cat I think is my favourite character in these episodes. I also got a good laugh when the crew are in the comic-book shop and they contact the president of the Red Dwarf fan club... "Sorry to interrupt the Warhammer mate". Perhaps it's just me, but I was originally introduced to the series (back in high school) by classmates who were right into Warhammer and painting up those geeky D&D miniatures.
All up I thought they did well with this mini-series. To me it fits nicely with the usual twisted and bizarre story-lines of previous Red Dwarf seasons and is well worth watching.
SPOILERS Absolutely awful
mikej_blake11 April 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Let me start off by saying I LOVE Red Dwarf. It is by far my favourite TV show and franchise of all time.
But this new ep was really just awful.
My main problem was the massive plot holes it left. For years I have been waiting for a conclusion to the ending of series 8. We got nothing. No explanation as to why Rimmer is back as a hologram, the ship hasn't been destroyed, Konchanski is dead... WHAT HAPPENED??? I realise that this is set 9 years after series 8, but I think fans would want to know just what happened after its last series? Then they made more plot holes within the episode. Holly is apparently absent due to Lister leaving a bath running for 9 years and flooding the mainframe and the skutters are still drying him off. If Holly is offline, how can the ship (or Rimmer) still remain functioning? Then there's the new hologram character so unforgettable I forgot her name. She appears literally out of nowhere with again, NO EXPLANATION, tells the crew that she can take them back to earth by using DNA from the tentacle of a dimension travelling squid... Yeah. the most funny thing I found out of the whole situation is between a scene with her and Rimmer, as Rimmer continually questions her as to how there can be two holograms on board as in previous episodes it has been stated there can only be one. Yet she keeps talking over him and blanking what he's saying. Exactly like what they're doing to the audience. It's like, confused? Don't worry so are they.
I know Dwarf has never been the most consistent of shows around and over the years there have been many lose ends and questionable plots and that's fine. But here it's just discomforting and answers no important questions.
Other than that the 'comedy' was non existent. I can't think of one funny scene that's stuck in my head. The actors themselves, although a little hammy in some scenes, I felt could of done well here still if they had a decent script to work with. Unfortunately this wasn't the case.
It felt really that they tried to squeeze in as much fan pleasing nostalgia in (Picture of Mel Bibby on the gravestone, Leopard larger posters, Rimmers newspaper cut outs on his bed) than actual comedy.
I'm also not attracted to the constant use of CGI in this episode. Series 7 and 8 started to rely more on computer generated models for the ship and certain ship locations. But here I'm sure the only thing that wasn't computer generated was the characters. I realise that in 2009 I should expect nothing less but part of the Dwarfs appeal, especially in the earlier episodes, was the crappy effects and models. It had a sense of charm. But here everything looks really synthetic.
With two more shows to go, i will be surprised if it can somehow redeem itself. With the news that the crew land in 'Corination street' I only think it will get worse.
You may think differently, but this is just my opinions. I'm sad to see the show degraded like this. I personally wish for more wonderful Dwarf books by Rob and Doug!
But this new ep was really just awful.
My main problem was the massive plot holes it left. For years I have been waiting for a conclusion to the ending of series 8. We got nothing. No explanation as to why Rimmer is back as a hologram, the ship hasn't been destroyed, Konchanski is dead... WHAT HAPPENED??? I realise that this is set 9 years after series 8, but I think fans would want to know just what happened after its last series? Then they made more plot holes within the episode. Holly is apparently absent due to Lister leaving a bath running for 9 years and flooding the mainframe and the skutters are still drying him off. If Holly is offline, how can the ship (or Rimmer) still remain functioning? Then there's the new hologram character so unforgettable I forgot her name. She appears literally out of nowhere with again, NO EXPLANATION, tells the crew that she can take them back to earth by using DNA from the tentacle of a dimension travelling squid... Yeah. the most funny thing I found out of the whole situation is between a scene with her and Rimmer, as Rimmer continually questions her as to how there can be two holograms on board as in previous episodes it has been stated there can only be one. Yet she keeps talking over him and blanking what he's saying. Exactly like what they're doing to the audience. It's like, confused? Don't worry so are they.
I know Dwarf has never been the most consistent of shows around and over the years there have been many lose ends and questionable plots and that's fine. But here it's just discomforting and answers no important questions.
Other than that the 'comedy' was non existent. I can't think of one funny scene that's stuck in my head. The actors themselves, although a little hammy in some scenes, I felt could of done well here still if they had a decent script to work with. Unfortunately this wasn't the case.
It felt really that they tried to squeeze in as much fan pleasing nostalgia in (Picture of Mel Bibby on the gravestone, Leopard larger posters, Rimmers newspaper cut outs on his bed) than actual comedy.
I'm also not attracted to the constant use of CGI in this episode. Series 7 and 8 started to rely more on computer generated models for the ship and certain ship locations. But here I'm sure the only thing that wasn't computer generated was the characters. I realise that in 2009 I should expect nothing less but part of the Dwarfs appeal, especially in the earlier episodes, was the crappy effects and models. It had a sense of charm. But here everything looks really synthetic.
With two more shows to go, i will be surprised if it can somehow redeem itself. With the news that the crew land in 'Corination street' I only think it will get worse.
You may think differently, but this is just my opinions. I'm sad to see the show degraded like this. I personally wish for more wonderful Dwarf books by Rob and Doug!
Homage finally brings it home
Bolanski14 November 2010
I haven't seen every single episode of Red Dwarf, but liked the show enough to give this a go when it hit my Netflix queue. The first part is a little slow, and I perhaps wouldn't have gotten through to the third if I had better things to do on a sick day. That said, let me encourage you to get through to the last episode.
The three-part miniseries is really a blended homage to the Red Dwarf series, it's fans, to SciFi as a genre, and to Blade Runner. While it gets occasionally heavy-handed in the reference, it is mostly handled with immense affection, and with winks and nods all around. A clear way to revisit some beloved characters, done with some style. Well worth getting to the final sections.
The three-part miniseries is really a blended homage to the Red Dwarf series, it's fans, to SciFi as a genre, and to Blade Runner. While it gets occasionally heavy-handed in the reference, it is mostly handled with immense affection, and with winks and nods all around. A clear way to revisit some beloved characters, done with some style. Well worth getting to the final sections.
Red Dwarf: Back to Earth. A review in smeg.
Durbaq10 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILERS
Very disappointing. Very, very disappointing. To the point of infuriating. Where do I begin?
Firstly, I am a huge fan of the Red Dwarf franchise, with all the series on DVD from series one to series eight. When I heard news of it returning to British television after a hiatus of ten years I was thrilled. No other show would benefit from the advances in computer technology than the pioneering combination of science-fiction situation comedy. As was shown with the revival of Doctor Who in 2005, the cult programs of old were ready to return to public consciousness with fancy CGI whizz and digital whatnot. Alas, Back to Earth failed in every department, like the one where it teased fans with fantastic locations and creatures the likes that the series had never been able to create before and then never used them.
Take another popular comedy series with the BBC stamp on it: The League of Gentlemen. It is a common belief that as a programme based on sketches carries on it gets less and less unique, every week we expect a different interpretation of the same joke, see: Little Britain, Monty Python's Flying Circus, and Catherine Tate. When the third series of the League and Gentleman came and went, the team had left the sketch format dead and buried and after the brief flirtation with the sitcom format seen in series three, the series left television forever. In 2005 the feature film was released. The basic plot is that all the characters within the world of Royston Vasey become aware of their existence as fiction, of the real world and thus of their creators (all playing themselves as themselves, but not quite as themselves, understand?). The whole fourth wall plot complimented the League perfectly. The sketches had gone through all the motions and so had the characters so to make them self aware was the next logical step. The self-refrentialism was perfect because the series and the characters had nowhere else to go so they could take out all the stops. This is where Red Dwarf is different. It had somewhere to go, and characters to develop. The space setting meant literally infinite possibilities, story lines, jokes and situations could occur for a good five or even eight more series. Instead the Dwarf mythology is stopped dead in its track and the fans are subjected to ninety minutes of unutterable sights (the Dwarfers visit the set of Coronation Street! Coronation Street! Not to mention the visual of the crew driving a Starbug-esquire car down contemporary Britain. A joke that reduces the show's humour from television to YouTube quality). The uncomfortable climax where the all realities crash into one another as the crew re-write scripts that haven't been written yet to change their course in time to another point where they hadn't *BLEURGH*. The Blade Runner references are used without reason the characters are so out of place in the realm of another film. Yes, the original series parodied pop-culture with varying success, but to set the action IN another film's set would be like having the fifth Indiana Jones film set on the Death Star. Can you imagine it, Han Solo meets himself as Indy and they find George Lucas writing more scripts for *BLEURGH*. You get my point? I imagined this special would redefine the word EPIC. Red Dwarf in the 21st century! The smart humour! The distinct memorable characters! The exciting science-fiction setting! With today's super fast computer technology able to produce amazing worlds and sweeping cosmic vistas? Sign me up! It was working up to be quite possibly the most important television event in 2009. And what do we get? A lazy middle-finger to one of the most established and devoted fan bases in recent history.
Very disappointing. Very, very disappointing. To the point of infuriating. Where do I begin?
Firstly, I am a huge fan of the Red Dwarf franchise, with all the series on DVD from series one to series eight. When I heard news of it returning to British television after a hiatus of ten years I was thrilled. No other show would benefit from the advances in computer technology than the pioneering combination of science-fiction situation comedy. As was shown with the revival of Doctor Who in 2005, the cult programs of old were ready to return to public consciousness with fancy CGI whizz and digital whatnot. Alas, Back to Earth failed in every department, like the one where it teased fans with fantastic locations and creatures the likes that the series had never been able to create before and then never used them.
Take another popular comedy series with the BBC stamp on it: The League of Gentlemen. It is a common belief that as a programme based on sketches carries on it gets less and less unique, every week we expect a different interpretation of the same joke, see: Little Britain, Monty Python's Flying Circus, and Catherine Tate. When the third series of the League and Gentleman came and went, the team had left the sketch format dead and buried and after the brief flirtation with the sitcom format seen in series three, the series left television forever. In 2005 the feature film was released. The basic plot is that all the characters within the world of Royston Vasey become aware of their existence as fiction, of the real world and thus of their creators (all playing themselves as themselves, but not quite as themselves, understand?). The whole fourth wall plot complimented the League perfectly. The sketches had gone through all the motions and so had the characters so to make them self aware was the next logical step. The self-refrentialism was perfect because the series and the characters had nowhere else to go so they could take out all the stops. This is where Red Dwarf is different. It had somewhere to go, and characters to develop. The space setting meant literally infinite possibilities, story lines, jokes and situations could occur for a good five or even eight more series. Instead the Dwarf mythology is stopped dead in its track and the fans are subjected to ninety minutes of unutterable sights (the Dwarfers visit the set of Coronation Street! Coronation Street! Not to mention the visual of the crew driving a Starbug-esquire car down contemporary Britain. A joke that reduces the show's humour from television to YouTube quality). The uncomfortable climax where the all realities crash into one another as the crew re-write scripts that haven't been written yet to change their course in time to another point where they hadn't *BLEURGH*. The Blade Runner references are used without reason the characters are so out of place in the realm of another film. Yes, the original series parodied pop-culture with varying success, but to set the action IN another film's set would be like having the fifth Indiana Jones film set on the Death Star. Can you imagine it, Han Solo meets himself as Indy and they find George Lucas writing more scripts for *BLEURGH*. You get my point? I imagined this special would redefine the word EPIC. Red Dwarf in the 21st century! The smart humour! The distinct memorable characters! The exciting science-fiction setting! With today's super fast computer technology able to produce amazing worlds and sweeping cosmic vistas? Sign me up! It was working up to be quite possibly the most important television event in 2009. And what do we get? A lazy middle-finger to one of the most established and devoted fan bases in recent history.
10 smeging years worth waiting for.
slamko-115 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This is a continuation of the TV series,fast forwarded 9 years later. If you enjoyed the TV series you will love this 3 part continuation with all the main characters, Rimmer, Cat, Kryten, Lister and surprise guest will remake there appearance again.
This is the first time in over 10 years that the red dwarf has been on TV. The writing by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor is superb with
The crew starts off travelling back to earth in the year 2009, only to realize that they do not exist. The effects were brilliant for the budget that they had. The only thing that is missing, are a few elements informing the viewers what had happened with the crew from when we last saw them to now.
The mini series was first aired on a British television station April 2009. The DVD was then released in June. I myself ordered the blue ray that is set to come out Oct. Hopefully after the popularity of this mini series ( basically how many fans that purchase the DVD) Doug Naylor will be able to get the sufficient funding that is needed to produce the Red Dwarf Movie (was put on hold in 2005 shortly after Pre-production began), or he has expressed interest in doing season 10.
This is the first time in over 10 years that the red dwarf has been on TV. The writing by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor is superb with
The crew starts off travelling back to earth in the year 2009, only to realize that they do not exist. The effects were brilliant for the budget that they had. The only thing that is missing, are a few elements informing the viewers what had happened with the crew from when we last saw them to now.
The mini series was first aired on a British television station April 2009. The DVD was then released in June. I myself ordered the blue ray that is set to come out Oct. Hopefully after the popularity of this mini series ( basically how many fans that purchase the DVD) Doug Naylor will be able to get the sufficient funding that is needed to produce the Red Dwarf Movie (was put on hold in 2005 shortly after Pre-production began), or he has expressed interest in doing season 10.
Poor
NotWar12 April 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I am a fan of Red Dwarf, and I have been for a very long time. Now, when I heard the plot of "Back to Earth", I initially laughed it off, thinking "oh those quirky people, it will probably be funny", but when I began to hear more about the one off show - I came to the horrible realisation that they were essentially ripping off the (better) film The League of Gentlemen Apocalypse.
They didn't disappoint.
The jokes were hardly funny in the slightest, other than a few mild laughs, but by the second part I wanted to cry. There is no need to plug the channel the program is being aired on, I already knew it existed, funnily enough considering I was watching it, and wishing I could invent a time machine to stop the atrocity which was unfolding before my eyes.
I noticed they managed to not have to bother explaining the plot holes because of the inevitable ending, and also managed to cover up their self gratification by said ending.
As for the ending all together, way to recycle an old episode idea.
I honestly don't think it is a good idea for them to even consider another series, if this is how it will end up.
I advise you buy the DVD now, before they re brand it with "Back to Earth" tacked on the end, thus forcing you to purchase it for an extortionate amount.
They didn't disappoint.
The jokes were hardly funny in the slightest, other than a few mild laughs, but by the second part I wanted to cry. There is no need to plug the channel the program is being aired on, I already knew it existed, funnily enough considering I was watching it, and wishing I could invent a time machine to stop the atrocity which was unfolding before my eyes.
I noticed they managed to not have to bother explaining the plot holes because of the inevitable ending, and also managed to cover up their self gratification by said ending.
As for the ending all together, way to recycle an old episode idea.
I honestly don't think it is a good idea for them to even consider another series, if this is how it will end up.
I advise you buy the DVD now, before they re brand it with "Back to Earth" tacked on the end, thus forcing you to purchase it for an extortionate amount.
let it die
jsfduffy13 April 2009
Wow... I used to love Red Dwarf, I mean the old Red Dwarf 1-6, watched it over and over still quote some of the more classic lines today in fact not that long ago sat in a pub with a friend and listed the name of every episode 1-6 - took a while but had to be done
7 was OK - it had a worryingly puerile vein of writing forming and some overcomplicated plot lines that seemed to be compensating for lack of substance. 8 came along and was quite frankly ridiculous but had a couple of moments.
And now this.. this... one of the most asinine and pathetic attempts to drag on a series I have ever seen, it's worse than the old BBC Christmas specials, it's worse than allo allo, worse than season 1 of black adder it is truly awful.
The real vitriol here is how far a great series has fallen how everything that made it work and funny and special has been thrown out and replaced with, to be honest, poo.
Doug let red dwarf rest.. it died a long time ago and propping up the rotten necrotic corpse is embarrassing!
John
Personally the only logical reason this was made was for the $$ I guess the red dwarf pension pot hasn't done too well of late?!
7 was OK - it had a worryingly puerile vein of writing forming and some overcomplicated plot lines that seemed to be compensating for lack of substance. 8 came along and was quite frankly ridiculous but had a couple of moments.
And now this.. this... one of the most asinine and pathetic attempts to drag on a series I have ever seen, it's worse than the old BBC Christmas specials, it's worse than allo allo, worse than season 1 of black adder it is truly awful.
The real vitriol here is how far a great series has fallen how everything that made it work and funny and special has been thrown out and replaced with, to be honest, poo.
Doug let red dwarf rest.. it died a long time ago and propping up the rotten necrotic corpse is embarrassing!
John
Personally the only logical reason this was made was for the $$ I guess the red dwarf pension pot hasn't done too well of late?!
Oh dear...
theamazingkazoo10 April 2009
The reboot of Red Dwarf by Dave has more in common with the failed US pilot than the original.
Oh dear.
Plus point. It has the same cast minus the dim witted ships computer of norman lovett. With the added cast member of Sophie Winkleman a.k.a, big suze from peep show fame.
Minus Points. Trying to make the show main stream to appeal to the US audience which in turn has killed the whole appeal of the show. Gone is the quirky humor and replaced with a script and screen play which has painfully been edited by a corporate marketing hack. Production values are fine for the low budget but red dwarf was never really about wow them special effects. A £10 toaster painted red with a light bulb in it raised more laughs than this whole episode. Which sadly explains why this reboot has missed the mark.
Oh dear.
Plus point. It has the same cast minus the dim witted ships computer of norman lovett. With the added cast member of Sophie Winkleman a.k.a, big suze from peep show fame.
Minus Points. Trying to make the show main stream to appeal to the US audience which in turn has killed the whole appeal of the show. Gone is the quirky humor and replaced with a script and screen play which has painfully been edited by a corporate marketing hack. Production values are fine for the low budget but red dwarf was never really about wow them special effects. A £10 toaster painted red with a light bulb in it raised more laughs than this whole episode. Which sadly explains why this reboot has missed the mark.
Sadder than A-Line Flares with pockets in the knees!!!
MonsterUK17 April 2009
What can anyone say, except TRULY AWFUL! It should have been obvious I suppose with the Premier screening of these 3 new episodes being on DAVE and not on the BBC as the originals all were, the BBC execs probably took one look at the episodes and said "you've gotta be kidding!" I am a longtime fan and have all the other episodes on DVD even the slightly dodgier later episodes that were done without the co-operation of Rob Grant (who was the original brains behind the whole idea and wrote the books and most of the earlier scripts).
The 2 missing factors are the lack of the background audience (present in every other episode they ever made, why they dropped this is completely beyond comprehension and ruined the overall feel of it) and most importantly the lack of a decent script! The Actors that did agree to do it can't really be blamed but the omission of some of the other actors like Norman Lovett (Holly – Ships Computer) instantly screamed to me that they took one look at the script and said NO-WAY!
Doug Naylor You should be truly ashamed of yourself!!!
Rant over.
The 2 missing factors are the lack of the background audience (present in every other episode they ever made, why they dropped this is completely beyond comprehension and ruined the overall feel of it) and most importantly the lack of a decent script! The Actors that did agree to do it can't really be blamed but the omission of some of the other actors like Norman Lovett (Holly – Ships Computer) instantly screamed to me that they took one look at the script and said NO-WAY!
Doug Naylor You should be truly ashamed of yourself!!!
Rant over.
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