The creators behind Family Guy have produced a spoof that is not particularly funny.
Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane has six seasons of Family Guy under his belt and in those six seasons there are brilliant gags and commentaries on American life and the human condition. Following the life of an American family who epitomise anarchy, the cartoon figuratively tears into the world we live in. Much of Family Guy is deliberately offensive, but also much of it is extremely funny and incisive. The thought of such talented writers turning their attention to Star Wars was tantalising.
Stewie as Darth Vader
On the surface (or at least the front of the DVD cover) the Family Guy team have used the strength of their characters and flaws in Star Wars to perfection. Stewie as Darth Vader is an obvious yet brilliant choice and the weird relationship between Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia is a cringe making platform for Chris Griffin and his mother Lois to fill. Ultimately, the creative skills behind this extremely dysfunctional family appears to be perfect for poking fun at the Star Wars franchise.
Blue Harvest is the parody of A New Hope, which follows Luke Skywalker's discovery of the Force and his journey is helping the rebel alliance fight against the Empire and their deadly, planet destroying weapon, the Death Star. Unfortunately it seems the writers respect Star Wars too much. Family Guy excels because it is not afraid of who it offends. The Christian God regularly crops up in episodes and is paid very little respect. If God can face the cruel satire of Family Guy then what would Star Wars receive? That question is answered with 45 minutes of light humour that seeks to worship Star Wars, not satirise it.
A New Hope Recreated in Blue Harvest
Many of the scenes from A New Hope are recreated in Blue Harvest almost frame for frame and actually fail to utilise the platform given. It almost implies the writers wanted to honour Star Wars not satirise it and if this was the case then Family Guy was the wrong route. One scene follows Peter Griffin (as Han Solo) trying to steal a sofa from the Death Star; hardly cutting humour considering the extremities gone to in many Family Guy episodes. Stewie as Darth Vader has the potential of brilliant writing, but mistimed gags and a shocking lack of them fails to deliver on that wonderful potential.
Blue Harvest has funny moments, but it falls far from the mark in comparison to other spoofs, such as Robot Chicken's take on the science fiction saga. For once, Seth Mcfarlane and his team have shown too much respect for their victims.
DVD extras: Commentary by creators, show reel of Star Wars references in Family Guy.
Source: www.imdb.co.uk
