Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin - The Untold Story (DVD)

Stewie Griffin is a national treasure, just like Julia Roberts or Viagra. I can't really get enough of the evil little bastard and so this DVD was just what the doctor ordered. Was it the funniest thing ever? Well, no, all in all it wasn't as funny as some of the better "Family Guy" episodes, but I'm not sure that matters much. If you need a Stewie fix you can now have it on your DVD shelf. That's a very good thing. I think it is also safe to say that the torch has officially been passed to "Family Guy" (from either "The Simpsons" or "South Park" depending on your politics) as the funniest animated show on television.

This feature film is comprised of three episodes of "Family Guy" that never aired. It definitely feels episodic in the movie; the transitions are a little rough. If this film would have come out in a world where "Family Guy" wasn't on the air I think it would have been better received, but now that we can tune back in on a regular basis it does feel a bit superfluous, like having our cake and eating it to.

The plot, like most "Family Guy" episodes only exists to get us from joke to joke so I'm not really going to bother much here with an explanation. Stewie gets involved in various evil plots, and travels across the country with Brian and Quagmire to find his "real" dad. One funny part that jumps out is one of Peter's monologues where he discusses Lindsay Lohan on the news for a segment he's doing called "You know what really grinds my gears?" I found myself nodding along at the wisdom of Pa Griffin. Another tremendous part is when a spoof of Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd appears. I don't want to ruin it for you but I'm sure you'll replay it for all your friends like I did.

The extra features of Stewie Griffin, the Untold Story are pretty minimal. The commentary is worth listening to because Seth Macfarlane is funny all the time, not just when doing voices. Really, I don't think you are buying this DVD for special insights or "making of", though it has one of those too. I'm guessing you are buying this to get a few laughs, or to silently wish you were Stewie. Shhhhh… don't tell anyone.

Overall Stewie Griffin, the Untold Story delivers some fine comedic moments. It's not on the level of South Park: The Movie or Team America: World Police but it is perfect for a weekend afternoon with the kids (the older kids who get satire). It won't change your life, but as Stewie would say "Shut up you complaining bastard and fork over the twenty bucks for the DVD." Right on Stu, right on.