Futurama has never been afraid to
delve into the big, playfully philosophical ideas endemic to brainy science
fiction. So when it was announced that the beloved cult show would be returning
as a series of feature-length DVD movies, fans were exhilarated that the show's
geek squad would finally have the space to do justice to its big ideas and
ambitious premises. But there's such a thing as too much freedom, and the
direct-to-DVD features Bender's Big Score and The Beast With A Billion Backs regularly veer into
winking self-indulgence. So it isn't an encouraging sign that the third Futurama DVD, Bender's
Game, is an extended love letter
to Dungeons & Dragons and The Lord Of The Rings. Though D&D;+Futurama is an equation
sure to inspire geekgasms throughout the role-playing community, fans who've
never known the joy of rolling the 20-sided die are bound to feel a little left
out.
