With an extended running time of just over 46 minutes this is the "uncut" edition of the episode that even slides in an f-bomb. "Blue Harvest" is named such as it was the working title for Return of the Jedi back in the day, a little Star Wars insider bit of trivia most fans (myself included) probably didn't know. However, considering this is based on "A New Hope", as writer Alan Sulkin points out, and they are going to go ahead and spoof both "Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi", it may have been better to save the name for the third installment, but oh well, it will be fun looking forward to those episodes nonetheless.
In what is almost a verbatim adaptation of the first installment of the Star Wars franchise released way back in 1977, "Blue Harvest" is not only a meticulous reproduction infusing "Family Guy" characters in the classic film, it celebrates one of the greatest sci-fi films of all-time just as much as it pokes fun at it. Logic flaws in the narrative are the most apt to endure a ribbing as missing ledges and strange occurrences (such as why the Empire didn't blow up the escape pod with C-3PO and R2-D2 aboard) become the norm.
Fans of Star Wars are certainly the target audience as this was obviously made by hardcore fans. While my opening paragraph may insinuate it isn't a very good episode, it actually is quite good, it just can't live up to the hype. However, fans will be happy to see that once again... Han shoots first!
To go along with the main feature you also get a commentary with series creator Seth Macfarlane and his cronies including Patrick Clark, David Goodman, Joseph Lee, Dominic Polcino, Danny Smith and Kara Vallow. You also get a sit down chat with Macfarlane and George Lucas, a making-of featurette, an animatic version of the entire episode and a clip show featuring all the times Star Wars has been referenced in various traditional episodes of the show.
My interest primarily centers on the commentary as well as the clip show since I am not a "Family Guy" regular. The commentary is mildly entertaining as the group even brainstorms on how things could have been done and even offer up a couple of options that several fans would have found extremely hilarious. However, for the most part, the commentary was unfortunately tame based on my expectations of it being "uncensored".
Should you buy this DVD? That really depends on your fan status. Are you a fan of "Family Guy"? If so, definitely buy it. Are you a rabid fan of Star Wars? If so then definitely buy it. Are you a casual fan of either franchise? Then I would suggest skipping it. You probably aren't going to watch it more than once and will be upset you spent the money. It is entertaining, but hardly ground-breaking. Perhaps once all three have been made and a box set is available will you truly get your money's worth.