Family Guy’s spoofs of the Star Wars saga have become a beloved, if sometimes uneven, part of the show’s legacy. Following the success of “Blue Harvest” (A New Hope) and the slightly less lauded “Something, Something, Something, Dark Side” (The Empire Strikes Back), fans eagerly anticipated the final installment: Family Guy: It’s a Trap!, tackling Return of the Jedi. This DVD release promised more of the irreverent humor and pop culture jabs that define Family Guy, but does it live up to the hype, or does it fall into the trap of diminishing returns?
Navigating the murky waters of fan expectations, particularly when dealing with franchises as massive as Star Wars and Family Guy, is no easy feat. Reviewing Family Guy: It’s a Trap! presents a unique challenge. On one hand, the established formula of Family Guy parodying iconic scenes is inherently entertaining. On the other, Return of the Jedi itself, the source material, is often considered the weakest of the original trilogy, potentially limiting the comedic potential. Adding to this complexity is the self-deprecating humor from the creators themselves, who openly admitted to feeling creatively drained during the production. This upfront admission, while potentially humorous, sets a precarious stage. If the parody excels, the joke lands brilliantly. If it falters, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Family Guy characters in Star Wars costumes, parodying Return of the Jedi.
Diving into the Humor: Hits and Misses in “It’s a Trap!”
Family Guy: It’s a Trap! operates on the familiar comedic bedrock of the series. Expect rapid-fire, non-sequitur gags, juvenile humor that occasionally veers into gross-out territory, and an arsenal of pop culture references delivered with varying degrees of subtlety. When these elements align, the results can be genuinely funny. The parody shines brightest when it leans into established Family Guy tropes and applies them to the Star Wars universe.
One early highlight is the Jabba’s Palace sequence. Glenn Quagmire as C-3PO and Joe Swanson as Jabba the Hutt create inherently humorous juxtapositions. Consuela, in a brilliant cameo as the palace droid, steals the scene with her weary “Noooooo, nooooo” to C-3PO’s request, a perfect encapsulation of her character and a relatable comedic moment for any Family Guy viewer.
The extended gag of Peter Griffin as Han Solo frozen in carbonite and perpetually farting is another prime example of Family Guy’s commitment to drawn-out, often absurd humor. The anticipation of the fart joke, rather than diminishing the humor, amplifies it. This embrace of the relentlessly unfunny, pushed to its comedic extreme, is a hallmark of the show, further exemplified in the Sarlaac Pit scene with its prolonged, conspiratorial nods between characters.
Peter Griffin as Han Solo in carbonite, a humorous scene from Family Guy It's a Trap.
Stewie Griffin as Darth Vader and Carter Pewterschmidt as Emperor Palpatine in a scene from Family Guy It's a Trap.
Other successful comedic moments include the “Chips Ahoy®” bit with Chris Griffin as Luke Skywalker and Cleveland Brown as R2-D2, showcasing Family Guy’s knack for misdirection and unexpected humor. Stewie Griffin’s Darth Vader remains a consistently funny portrayal, particularly in a darkly humorous scene where he introduces Emperor Palpatine (Carter Pewterschmidt) to a terminally ill child, highlighting the show’s penchant for inappropriate, yet hilarious, jokes. A sharp jab at Elizabeth Hurley and the visual gag of stormtroopers in bikinis having a pillow fight with dead Ewoks further demonstrate the episode’s comedic range. Herbert, the show’s resident pedophile character, also delivers a particularly memorable and cringe-worthy joke involving Luke’s robotic hand.
However, Family Guy: It’s a Trap! is not without its comedic misfires. The review points out several jokes that simply fall flat. Tyler Perry movie poster jokes, while potentially relevant at the time of release, have aged poorly and lack contemporary resonance. The inclusion of American Dad characters feels forced and misses the comedic mark. Similarly, a sock puppet reference to Star Wars “Special Editions” is deemed too tame, and a Rush Limbaugh cameo feels more like a politically motivated inclusion than genuinely funny satire.
Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in Family Guy It's a Trap parody.
C-3PO and R2-D2 in Family Guy It's a Trap parody.
The “Hanjobs.org” commercial and the “fly casual” visual are described as embarrassing and groan-worthy respectively. The substitution of ten-speed bikes for speeder bikes on Endor, even with a Pee-Wee Herman cameo, fails to generate laughs. A Power Station joke, relying on an obscure pop culture reference, is likely to be lost on most viewers, highlighting a potential issue with Family Guy’s humor becoming too niche or dated at times.
DVD Quality and Special Features: A Mixed Bag
From a technical standpoint, the DVD of Family Guy: It’s a Trap! receives positive marks. The video quality, presented in widescreen, is described as “crystalline clear” with excellent color shading, solid blacks, and minimal edge enhancement. The audio, in Dolby Digital 5.1, is also praised for its lively speaker separation, hefty recording level, and effective use of original Star Wars sound effects and music.
However, the special features included on the DVD are a significant point of contention. While a commentary track is included, featuring Seth MacFarlane and other key personnel, it’s criticized for being self-congratulatory and lacking in genuine production insights. MacFarlane’s apparent disinterest, even leaving the commentary session early, further detracts from its value.
Family Guy cast in Star Wars costumes, posing for Family Guy It's a Trap promotion.
Lando Calrissian and Darth Vader in Family Guy It's a Trap parody.
“Star Wars Trivial Pursuit: The Ultimate Championship,” a lengthy 30-minute extra featuring writers playing the board game, is described as “incomprehensible” and highlights the writers’ lack of on-screen performance skills. Other extras, such as “A Very Special Message From Darth Stewie” and “Sock Puppet Outtakes,” are deemed short and ultimately inconsequential. “Drawing With Peter Shin,” showcasing the animation process, and “Animatic,” allowing viewers to compare early animation stages with the final product, are mentioned as potentially interesting for animation enthusiasts but may not appeal to a broader audience. “Making the Scene,” with Peter Shin discussing scene evolution, is also included.
Family Guy DVD cover for It's a Trap.
Family Guy cast in Star Wars costumes for Family Guy It's a Trap promotional image.
Final Verdict: For Fans Only?
Family Guy: It’s a Trap! delivers on its promise of Star Wars parody, offering a mix of genuinely funny moments interspersed with jokes that miss the mark. The reliance on Return of the Jedi, often considered the weakest of the original trilogy, may contribute to the uneven comedic landscape. While fans of Family Guy’s particular brand of humor and Star Wars enthusiasts will likely find enough entertainment to warrant a purchase, more casual viewers might be better served catching this episode on television or streaming. The DVD’s technical quality is commendable, but the lackluster special features diminish its overall appeal. Ultimately, Family Guy: It’s a Trap! is a release primarily for dedicated collectors and die-hard fans of both franchises, rather than a universally essential addition to any DVD library.
