Search - The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection - Volume 10.2 (Giant Gila Monster / Swamp Diamonds / Teenage Strangler / Giant Spider Invasion) on DVD

I love this show!

T. Ward | Landstuhl, Germany | 06/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I never saw the original episode that has been replaced on this but the Giant Gila Monster is a great one. All of these are fantastic hilarious episodes from a fantastic hilarious show that never should have come off the air."

Passable Fare

ARK | Computer Chair | 10/08/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not so gung-ho about this collection. As I've found out over time, the best MST3k episodes are the ones with movies that are hilarious and cheesy by themselves. The movies in this collection are stupid, yes, but for the most part... not all that much fun.

The Giant Gila Monster is so-so. I adore the voice the guys give the lizard, the goofy song Sullivan sings makes me laugh, and the host segments are great. But for the most part this movie just creeps along at the speed of its villain, and there's not much hilarity to be had. It's just hard for Joel and the bots to pick this puppy up.

Swamp Diamonds is boring. There are some truly hilarious moments (such as the freakish bathing scene and the alligator attack), but for the most part it just mopes along to its climax. There are many, many shots of the swamps... many... many shots. Boring shots. The short, "What to Do on a Date," is very funny, and far more fun than the movie that follows it.

Teen-Age Strangler is moderately fun. Mikey is the star of the show here, whether anyone recognizes it or not. There are also some really slow, delightfully funny car races. The host segments are gold here, too -- especially the one where Mike puts on the "Mikey glasses." Should be watched at least once!

The Giant Spider Invasion is also moderately enjoyable. I have never wanted so many characters to die before. Thankfully, many of them do. There are some truly hilarious spiders here... specifically, a ginormous puppet, perhaps the very one Ator fought so long ago. Unintentionally hilarious characters, really wacky science, a squawking scientist, and other humorous bits abound. However, just try to keep your lunch down as you watch the white trash. Eee-yuck!

Overall, this is an okay set. Spider Invasion and Teen-age Strangler should be nice additions to your collection, if anything. But it certainly isn't the collection I'd leap to first. New MSTies would do best going for Volume 2."

MST3K recovers nicely

Echo | Western Hemisphere | 07/25/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A good recovery for Rhino, which had to withdraw the original Volume 10 over an errant "Godzilla" episode originally included in this set.

That said, "Giant Gila Monster" is more than adequate as a substitution. I like this collection in particular because there is a good mix of Mike, Joel, Comedy Central, and Sci-Fi era offerings.

"Giant Gila Monster" has one of the most inventive inventions: the plot point radio. A classic host segment.

"Swamp Diamonds" is a classic Beverly Garland (a perennial MST3K favorite and a good sport) with a great prison - bayou - alligator motif.

"Teenage Strangler" should be much more sinister than it is - there's not much funny about stranglers, teenage or otherwise. But the host segments are good, and the "Frank-n-forcer" is classic.

"Giant Spider Invasion" was one of the last episodes broadcast. It was shown, oh, about 18 kajillion times during MST3K's last year on Sci Fi. That period was light on classic monster movies, and in this one we get a giant spider and the skipper. It hits the spot.

Recommended!"