by Anthony O'Connor
Worth: Discs: 33, The Film: 4/5, The Extras: 4/5, Overall: 8/10
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Chris Barrie, Robert Llewellyn, David Ross, Norman Lovett, Hattie Hayridge, Graham McTavish
Intro:
… a wonderful place to spend the next few million years, rough edges and all.
The Film:
For many nerds of a certain vintage, stumbling across Red Dwarf was something akin to a miracle. Usually playing at odd hours on the ABC, the first two seasons of the Dwarf were a rough and ready experience, the tale of three oddballs – the last human alive, Lister (Craig Charles), an officious hologram, Rimmer (Chris Barrie) and an indulgent creature evolved from a cat, Cat (Danny John-Jules) – stuck on the massive mining spacecraft, Red Dwarf, as it slowly heads back to earth to rejoin a human race that may not even exist anymore.
It’s quite the elevator pitch!
The first two seasons are loads of fun, and certainly worth watching. However, something happened in the third season that transformed the show from an amusing workplace comedy in space to a legitimate television classic. The expansion of the mechanoid Kryten’s (David Ross/Robert Llewellyn) role from a bit part to series regular is a huge part of the magic, but the stories in general became more ambitious and engaging. Smartly written, superbly acted and exploring genuinely lofty sci-fi concepts in a wry, knowing fashion, the golden era of Red Dwarf encompasses seasons 3-6 and, honestly, this package is worth the price of admission for those alone. Episodes like “Polymorph”, “Marooned” and “Back to Reality” (and oodles of others) are smart, funny and strikingly original.
After season 6, Red Dwarf goes on a bit of a rollercoaster ride in terms of quality. Season 7 has its moments, season 8 is a bit of a whiff and the special Back to Earth is… not great. Things get back on a more even keel from season 10 onwards, and The Promised Land offers a slight but friendly send off for the crew and at this stage is looking like the final word*.
*Showrunner Doug Naylor is still trying for at least one more special but it’s not looking likely anytime soon, and the material may end up as a basis for a novel.
The Extras:
Friends, there are a smegload of extras on board here. Most of the early seasons come with a bonus disc that includes outtakes, interviews and behind-the-scenes gear. You’ll also find extended versions of episodes in season 7, and there are bloopers galore with Smeg Ups and Just the Smegs. Some of which, it has to be said, are genuinely hilarious.
The Bodysnatcher Collection is also included, which is the divisive remasters of the first three seasons with CGI graphics instead of the classic physical models as well as multiple documentaries, making of featurettes and easter eggs.
In total, there are 33 discs here (!) which amounts to 2134 minutes (give or take) of funny, nerdy entertainment. And while it isn’t cheap, per se, the value for money you’re getting is pretty hard to deny.
The Verdict:
While not every season works and not every episode is a classic, on balance Red Dwarf is utterly unique. A space oddity that tonally sits somewhere between John Carpenter’s debut feature Dark Star and Ben Elton’s classic series The Young Ones, Red Dwarf is a wonderful place to spend the next few million years, rough edges and all.
