DVDs in Review

Family Guy: Something Something Something Dark Side

Title: Family Guy: Something Something Something Dark Side

Release date: December 26 2009

Certificate: 15

Format: Reviewed on DVD, available on Blu-ray

DVD RRP: £15.99

Rating: 4/5

'Family Guy' has always been a particularly good show when it comes to biting satire. Its more adult audience has allowed its grasp to be far more focused and stronger than that of 'The Simpsons', which means that it can misfire more too.

Here the family spoofs the sci-fi 'The Empire Strikes Back', after successfully lampooning the original 'Star Wars' with 'Family Guy: Blue Harvest'. Peter makes for a far lazier, more sarcastic Han Solo than the already lazy and sarcastic original performance by Harrison Ford.

Louis is inevitably Princess Leah, Chris is an incompetent Luke Skywalker, Brian the dog makes for a care-free Chewbacca and Stewie steals the show as Darth Vader who spends more time battling with his foreign maid or discussing business cards with Stormtroopers than he does battling the good guys.

In all, it's a fun look at some of the dodgy moments of the original film - such as the ice base at the start which is surrounded by high power electrical cables just resting on the snow - by way of some tongue in cheek attacks at George Lucas' epic, which is certainly ripe for picking at.

Naturally, this is going to aimed at both die hard 'Family Guy' or 'Star Wars' fans but its tight writing and expertly timed comedic moments make this is a decent introduction to the show itself. Certainly worth a look, if somewhat disposable - it's just a great ride with no real final destination, but it's worth the trip.

The DVD from Fox comes with a commentary, a few more little extras and a free digital copy.