Have you ever found yourself in the position of sitting through a film so bad that it's actually entertaining? The people behind a US TV show took this idea and added a couple of characters to narrate over the top of some truly awful films. The result wasMystery Science Theatre 3000, which ran for 11 years.

During its run from the late eighties to the end of the nineties, the show's makers also managed to pop this film out in 1996. And although we live in a fast paced world, this is the film's DVD debut here in the UK.

Floating effortlessly in space is test subject Mike Nelson (Mike Nelson); he has been sent there by mad scientist Dr Clayton Forrester (Trace Beaulieu) to participate in some diabolical experiments. The Doc forces Mike and his two robot chums Tom Servo (Kevin Murphy) and Crow T Robot (Beaulieu again) to sit through some terrible films.

The particular film they have to endure this time is the 1955 B-movie, sci-fi flick This Island Earth. The result sees Mike and his robot chums deflecting the whole traumatic experience with their secret weapon: humour.

The future looks really bleak. There's no sign of a Tesco Metro anywhere.

Whether it's intentional or not, the film has similar production values to the film it's mocking. Everything to the set and the robots has a Blue Peter feel about them, but it doesn't really matter; the key to the film is the remarks its three test subjects make on the film they're watching.

Although the premise is curious, the execution is a tad flat. Maybe it's just a fact that humour has moved on since 1996, or maybe it's down to the film being a PG certificate. All the gags are super kid friendly, and because of this, the film lacks any edge. The writers could have delivered more laughs with adult content, but as it stands, they're restricted to mildly amusing jokes at the best of times, as well as silly fart gag humour.

If you've never seen a Mystery Science Theater 3000 production, then this film does just enough to satiate any curiosity you might have. It's just a shame that the premise itself wasn't pushed a little harder, as there was certainly more subversive fun to be had at the expense of old B movies.