Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs (2008)

Three successive to-be-continued episodes tell an extended and inventive Futurama story that includes human-alien sexual and emotional congress (tidily and speedily represented so preteens may miss it) and Bender's curmudgeonly love-hate relationship with humans and life. The Beast with a Billion Backs is a Shakespearean reference to sex ("the beast with two backs"). In essence, a gigantic tentacled space ganglion crosses an interdimensional rift and captures all humans (save Leela) a la Matrix, inducing them to a euphoric state of union. The situation gets changed -- followed by more euphoria -- followed by more change. Bender has several death wishes (for himself and others) and flirts with a robot conspiracy. Frye finally gets a girl (if briefly). Zapp finally gets some action (the weasel). Two characters are thought to be forever lost. Various scenes are reminiscent of Futurama's Robot Hell episode and The Simpson's The Itchy and Scratchy Show (for gore). Lots of stuff goes on as the plot shifts and turns, so it will be a rewarding and funny Futurama viewing (esp. for fans) even if the resolutions aren't particularly strong. My favorite is when the characters, not the plot, drive the developments and resolution -- if only in the disconnected ending when Bender explains "Love is greedy. I sure love you meat bags!" 3.5 stars.