Mystery Science Theater 3000 (TV Series) Fire Maidens of Outer Space (1992) User Reviews

No! The monster might be good!

[ericstevenson · 9/10 · 7 June 2016]

I thought that this was the episode where Gypsy tried to riff. I must have gotten confused. Anyway, this is another great episode because it really does get more and more interesting as it goes on. I guess I didn't love this as much as most people. The most enjoyable parts are easily the bits with Timmy, Crow's evil double. I was confused by his appearance at first. It was a lot of fun seeing him get into the theater and cause mischief. I thought that after the commercial break he was gone, but it turns out he was just hiding. You rarely see that much interaction while they're in the theater.

Granted, the riffs are what we want to see (well, hear I guess) but it's great to have some variety. I admit that in the beginning, the riffing wasn't that good, but it certainly got better. It's nice to see the bots get really worked up over this awful movie because I truly believe it is one of the worst they've ever come across. It seems like there wasn't even that much to comment on. I love the segments with the control of everything levers. ***1/2

Top Notch Joel Episode

[Calaboss · 9/10 · 25 April 2013]

I'm an old school MSTie, having first caught up with the show about 1990. I have many of the episodes on tape, which I transferred to DVD, but I missed a few and this was one I didn't get the first time around. Now that all the episodes are online I'm a happy guy.

Fire Maidens of Outer Space (#5.16) is a fantastic example from the series. It's a Joel episode, which is great because I cut my MST3k teeth on those early shows. The movie is vapid junk, naturally, but, as is always best, there is minimal dialog, which gives the crew maximum riffing time.

And the action gives one plenty of ammo for comedy. From the Screaming Yellow Zonkers for meteors to the V2 "stock footage" rocket with a crew cabin the size of Hef's Grotto, I was slinging trash at this one as fast as Joel and the bots. The padding was thick (though not quite as bad as Lost Continent) and the science was nowhere to be found. Gravity in space? Sure, you got it. Space suits? No need. Smoking in the space ship? Mandatory. Beautiful, buxom, English speaking women in short skirts on Jupiter's moon? Of course. Plenty of stuff here for the over 50 crowd that will fly right over the kids heads (Daddy, what are Puka shells?).

Comedy is subjective, but this episode had plenty of references that smacked me square in the funny bone and put it right up there near the top. All this plus rapid fire riffing and a wasted classical music score that has no business in this movie. Crow's evil doppelganger, Timmy, no extra charge.

Smoking Count: 14 cigarettes, 1 pipe.

(Did anyone else notice the entries on the Big Check Book in the invention exchange? 4-H Bake Sale, Fireworks-R-Us, Miami Pro-Am, and check 43, Feeleo's. But check 43 was still there and blank. Frank must be the CFO of Deep 13. I like how the address on the checks is "Undisclosed Location".)