Mystery Science Theater 3000: Laserblast

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Laserblast is a distinctive blend of science fiction, comedy and satire. An episode from the cult TV series, Mystery Science Theater 3000, largely known as MST3K, Laserblast is a film experience like none other.

In this laugh-out-loud episode, series creator Joel Hodgson and his crew of wisecracking robots take on the 1978 low-budget sci-fi flick "Laserblast". The movie, for those unfamiliar with the MST3K format, is the subject of off-the-cuff, sometimes brutal, often hilarious riffing by the show's characters. The MST3K spins genre films on their heads, using them as fodder for relentless comedic commentary in a way that's as wildly inventive as it is thoroughly entertaining.

The basic framework of MST3K involves an unfortunate human, originally Joel and later Mike, being kept captive on a space station called the Satellite of Love (SOL) by the evil scientists Dr. Clayton Forrester and TV's Frank. The wicked duo seeks to drive their guinea pig insane by forcing him to watch a hellish succession of the 'worst movies ever made.'

In the case of the "Laserblast" episode the prisoner aboard the Satellite of Love is Mike Nelson. This episode is significant as it marks the seventh-season cliffhanger finale of the series. It starts to set the stage for a zany series of events that will lead into the movie’s eighth season, full of unexpected turns and incredible movie riffs.

In the original "Laserblast" film, a loner teenager named Billy Duncan, stumbles into a laser-gun wielding alien and turns into a crazed killer. This decidedly odd sci-fi movie gets the full MST3K treatment with sarcastic commentary, clever quips, and hysterical sketch sequences.

The storyline of Laserblast alone provides ample fodder for the MST3K crew's snappy commentary. Yet, series regulars Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett bring the full force of their comedic genius to the task, providing a constant stream of on-the-spot 'riffs' that mock the movie's numerous plot holes, cheap special effects, and questionable acting.

One of the absolute highlights of this episode is the host's skits. These segments serve as intermissions from the feature film, and are often used by the characters to satirize the film, the filmmaking process, or pop culture at large. In "Laserblast", these sections are filled with spot-on parodies of the Star Wars and Godzilla franchises, offering a delightful bonus for genre fans.

The distinctive humor and comedic timing exhibited by the MST3K cast in "Laserblast" manages to make a forgettable and badly flawed B-grade sci-fi film into an enjoyable and highly watchable spectacle. The episode gives you the feeling of watching a bad movie with your funniest friends, making for an experience that’s somewhere between a group movie night and a high-class comedy show.

Like all Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes, "Laserblast" isn’t just a film—or an episode of a TV show—it’s an event. It’s this transformation, this value-added element of pure comedic pleasure, that has earned the series a cult following. Whether you’re a die-hard MST3K fan or no stranger to the series, Laserblast is a fantastic introduction to the show’s trademark wit and charm.

"Laserblast" is quintessential MST3K – managing to take a film that might otherwise be unwatchable and turn it into a terrifically entertaining experience. It’s a laughter-packed episode that stands out even among the impressive MST3K catalog. For viewers who love good-natured ridicule of schlocky sci-fi cinema and enjoy laughing till their sides ache, Mystery Science Theater 3000: Laserblast is a must-watch!