Watch Mystery Science Theater 3000: Hercules Against the Moon Men

Mystery Science Theater 3000 is a cult classic TV series that first aired on November 24, 1988. Created by Joel Hodgson, the show featured a human character stranded in space, forced to watch terrible B movies by his evil captors. To keep his sanity, he builds a robot sidekick and together they provide sarcastic commentary on the film they are forced to watch.

One such movie they watched in the show was Hercules Against the Moon Men, a 1964 Italian fantasy film directed by Giacomo Gentilomo. In this movie, the mighty Hercules (Sergio Ciani) comes to the aid of the kingdom of Samar, which is besieged by moon men who came from a neighboring planet. The evil queen Samara (Jany Clair) has made a pact with the moon men, promising to sacrifice 12 virgins to them in exchange for power. Meanwhile, the rightful heir to the throne, Princess Dariela (Anna Maria Polani), is in hiding with her loyal followers, hoping to overthrow the queen's regime and restore peace to the kingdom.

As with all of the movies featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000, Hercules Against the Moon Men is rife with cheesy special effects, bad acting, and ridiculous plot holes. However, the brilliance of the show lies in the hilarious commentary provided by the characters, particularly wise-cracking robots Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo, and their human companion, Joel Robinson (played by creator Joel Hodgson).

The trio spends the entire movie making fun of the poor production values, goofy dialogue, and wooden performances. Some of their best lines include quips about Hercules' constant flexing, the inexplicable appearance of moon men with crab claws, and the conspicuous absence of logic in the story's narrative. Even the film's poor dubbing is not off-limits to the show's irreverent humor.

What makes Mystery Science Theater 3000 so beloved by fans is not just the humor, however. It's the sense of community that the show has fostered over the years. The show's creators have always been extremely interactive with their fans, encouraging them to form their own groups and clubs and to meet up to watch the show together. The show became a staple of college campuses and basement gatherings in the late 80s and early 90s, and its legacy has endured for over 30 years.

Despite being cancelled by its original network, Mystery Science Theater 3000 has been picked up by numerous streaming services since then, including Netflix, where it was revived for a new season in 2017 featuring a new host, Jonah Ray. However, the original episodes featuring Joel Hodgson, Trace Beaulieu, and the original cast remain the most beloved by fans.

For those who have never seen Mystery Science Theater 3000, Hercules Against the Moon Men is a great introduction to the show's unique brand of humor. Fans of the show will appreciate the callbacks to its early episodes, and newcomers will be able to enjoy the film's absurdity while still being entertained by the jokes.

In conclusion, Mystery Science Theater 3000: Hercules Against the Moon Men is a must-watch for fans of the series, lovers of bad movies, and anyone who appreciates clever and irreverent humor. While the film itself is forgettable, the commentary provided by the show's characters is unforgettable. The show's continued popularity is a testament to its success in creating a sense of community that has endured for decades.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Hercules Against the Moon Men is a 2010 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes.