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The anticipation begins before the series even starts. Futurama, the acclaimed animated comedy set in the distant future, is returning to satisfy our nostalgia cravings.
Created by Matt Groening in 1999, this beloved Emmy-winning series is making a welcome comeback after a 10-year hiatus. Resuming from its emotional “finale” – the Six Feet Under of animated show endings – the first 20 episodes bring comfort and familiarity.
The revival stays true to the series’ tone and humor, prioritizing consistency over novelty and ambition. While the HD animation may feel sleek and distant, the voice performances show no signs of decline, and the show’s signature blend of silliness, wit, and emotional depth persists.
Early on, the show cleverly addresses its own cancellation and revival, as the Planet Express crew endeavors to bring back a beloved soap opera. They engage in numerous jokes at the expense of disposable content and the binge-watching culture. The episode is timely, satirizing the ongoing industry crisis by introducing brash android Bender (John DiMaggio) to replace underappreciated human screenwriters.
Futurama has long excelled at using its futuristic setting to lampoon the absurdities of the present, preceding the likes of Black Mirror. However, some topical references hit harder than others. While a critique of Amazon’s exploitative practices carries weight, an extended joke about bitcoin mining and unregulated cryptocurrency feels less impactful.
If certain references may feel outdated, the inclusion of Richard Nixon, Al Gore, and The Twilight Zone shows a lack of interest in catering to a new generation of viewers. Instead, the series acknowledges its audience that grew up with the show and now finds themselves in a different phase of life, as seen through storylines involving perennial intern Amy’s journey into motherhood and the cohabitation of time-displaced slacker Fry (Billy West) and his girlfriend Leela (Katey Sagal).
★★★☆☆
Available on Disney+ and Hulu; new episodes released weekly.
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