Last year I asked a good friend of mine to review the 2nd volume of “Aqua Teen Hunger Force.” I did this because he loves the show and I doubted I would. I’m a pretty big fan of Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim (which airs slightly more ‘adult’ animated shows late at night – and by ‘adult’, I don’t mean “ADULT”), and tune in from time to time to catch “Sealab: 2021”, “Home Movies”, “Family Guy” and the like. I had only seen a little bit of “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”, and for some reason it didn’t really appeal to me. He gave it a great review, so much so that it made me wonder if I was missing something. I did finally write a review once Season 3 came out as I opted to give it more of a chance. And though I skipped Season 4 (but am planning on buying it eventually), I am back with some new thoughts as the series releases its 5th season on DVD.

Before I get to my review, I should perhaps fill you in a little bit on what exactly “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” is. After all, despite its huge fan base I’m sure there are a lot of you who haven’t a clue what it is. Admittedly, after I explain I doubt it will be any clearer. Here goes. The members of “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” (so named because they used to fight crime) include Frylock (a goateed bag of French fries), Master Shake (a large milkshake cup), and Meatwad (the name pretty much sums it up). They all walk (well… float or roll) and talk, and are for the most part the worst neighbors anyone could have. Just ask Carl, their next-door neighbor. At any given time, Master Shake is getting them into trouble, whether by taking bites out of a possessed sandwich or attempting to deep fry and entire cow. Frylock, on the other hand, offers the cool voice of reason, which is somehow always lost on Shake. Then there’s poor Meatwad, who is usually the one to suffer the most from Shake’s ill-conceived actions.

That is the most simplistic description I think can be written about the show. It covers the basics, but doesn’t even scratch the surface of (dare I say it?) the complexity of the humor. The only way I can explain THAT is to say there are two kinds of stupid humor… stupid stupid humor and smart stupid humor. “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” falls into that latter category. My opinion after watching the episodes on the Volume 3 DVD release? It’s a freakin’ hilarious show. I couldn’t believe I was actually laughing out loud. I’ve since seen the movie and now the new 5th season release and there wasn’t a single episode that I didn’t find funny.

You probably couldn’t tell, but I have started and re-started this paragraph at least 6 times. I thought I might try and further my descriptive efforts by telling you about one of the episodes, but like the series itself, I don’t think any description would do it justice. Take for example, the episode “Dickesode” in which Carl wins a prize at the Wong Burger… the prize being having his… ummm… ‘Little Carl’ ripped off. This is also apparently somehow a much better prize than just getting free wasabi fries. The episode goes even further to show us how Mr. Wong is building a spaceship out of ripped-off extremities. (See, I knew that any description I came up with would not do the show justice.)

The new 2-disc set for “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” also gives fans their moneys worth when it comes to extra features. Along with the normal array of deleted scenes, there are more unusual extra features like the video for the song “I Like Your Booty But I’m Not Gay”, the Aqua Teens responding to critics comments… and video of porn star Tera Patrick eating a hot dog. Yes, you read that last part right. In one of the episodes, and animated Tera eats a corn dog, and here we see her in the studio eating a real hot dog. It’s not quite as arousing as it sounds, but it sure is funny.

I never in a million years thought I‘d be recommending DVD sets for “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”, but it’s honestly a much funnier show than it seemed to be. I will admit that the humor won’t appeal to everybody as it comes at you so fast you might miss some of it, and it is often gratuitously disgusting. A style of humor I love, but a lot of people abhor. You might try watching an episode or two on Cartoon Network first. If you don’t get the jokes, I’m so sorry… you’re not as smart as you thought you were. If you end up laughing like I did, grab the DVD sets, they’re well worth the money.

Episodes:
Dirtfoot
Boost Mobile
Dickesode (plus Uncensored Version)
Hand Banana
Party all the Time
Bart Oates
Global Grilling
Grim Reaper Gutters
Moonajuana
Ezekiel
Antenna
Carl Wash
Star Studded Xmas Spectacular, Part 1
Star Studded Xmas Spectacular, Part 2

Extras: Favorite Episode Promos, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Responds to the Critics, I Like Your Booty But I‘m Not Gay Music Video, ATHF Movie Premiere with Space Ghost, Deleted Scenes, Learn to Shred Like the Master, Tera Patrick Eats a Hot Dog, Granny Takes Her Top Off, Space Ghost Coast to Coast “Chambraigne”, ATHF Zombie Ninja Pro-Am Trailer, The Worst Game Ever
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: 1/29/2008
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Season 5 a B.