Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus Review

Once upon a time, Nickelodeon asked a comic book writer named Jhonen Vasquez to make a TV show for them. What Vasquez gave them was Invader Zim, a show about a little green alien trying to conquer Earth and the paranormal obsessed boy trying to stop him. Nickelodeon didn’t appreciate it, or it’s high budget, so they canceled the show before it could finish. Fast forward almost two decades later, and the show’s explosion in popularity made Nick realize it made a mistake. They begged Vasquez to come back and do more Zim, but when they didn’t want to air it, Netflix did it for them. And that’s the story of how we got Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus.

I have been waiting for years for Invader Zim to make its return and give fans the closure they wanted, of which I am one. Does it hold up to how I remember the show? After watching it all weekend, my answer’s yes and no, but overwhelmingly yes.

By the way, there are spoilers ahead. If you haven’t seen the movie on Netflix or wherever some fans put it up, be warned.

The Return of Zim!

After an animesque opening monologue in which Dib explains how Zim vanished some time ago, we see what’s become of him. He’s shut himself inside his room and let his body (and sanity) go while obsessively waiting for Zim’s return. In hindsight, it’s like a metaphor for the fans waiting years for Zim to return, which makes it even funnier to see him wig out when Zim does reappear.

Since Zim’s one of the precursors to the modern-day Internet Troll, he spent all that time sitting in a toilet laughing evilly. Zim says he did it because he knew Dib would neglect his body wondering where he went, leaving him free to begin Phase Two of his master plan. Thus the two enemies begin their war anew, with Zim ready for his biggest plan ever; that is if he can remember what it was!

Doesn’t Waste Time to Enter the Florpus

Unlike other reboots, Enter the Florpus knows it doesn’t need to waste time on excess nostalgia bait or explaining everything. It recognizes the fans will remember what the show’s about. Thanks to this, Enter The Florpus hits ground running, as though the show never ended in the first place.

If nothing else, the seventeen-year absence has only improved the show. The entire cast slips back into their roles like a reliable pair of shoes, giving their all from the start. Given the characters he’s played since Zim ended, though, it seems like Richard Horvitz never took off the Zim shoes. He owns the screen every time Zim goes to talk, bringing all the manic hamminess of Zim to life.

Zim’s Amazing Glory

As for Zim himself, this film shows him in all his evil glory. Do you know how I keep saying that Zim can be a deadly villain when he’s shooting himself in the proverbial foot? His plan in Enter the Florpus solidifies my argument. Without spoiling anything, Zim comes closer to victory than he ever has in the show. Even Gaz realizes how dangerous he is this time around. GAZ! If she’s willing to help Dib without any ulterior motive this time around, you know things are bad.

It’s a Family Story

Speaking of the Membrane family, they all play a significant role in this film, rather than just Dib. At its core, Enter the Florpus is a family story, and about getting respect. We saw how dysfunctional the Membrane family was in the show, and it still is, to an extent. The show implied that Dib’s obsession with Zim stems from a desire to gain his father’s approval, and that conflict comes to a head in this special. Even when faced with physical proof that his son’s right, Professor Membrane’s ego makes him deny it. Meanwhile, while Gaz has grown noticeably more patient, she still has a low tolerance for her brother’s antics.

In spite of the show’s mantra of “doom,” Enter the Florpus offers a glimmer of hope in the life of Dib. The events of the film lead him to strengthen his bonds with Gaz, who actively helps and encourages him at times, and his dad. As the film nears its climax, in one of the most heartwarming moments in the entire series, Dib hears the words he’s always wanted his father to say: he’s always been proud of him.

Then we get a beautifully choreographed chase and fight scene against Zim’s army of robots with the fate of Earth at stake, which is incredible!

For Better or Worse

In regards to the black comedy and creepiness, the film tones noticeably down the creepiness while turning up the comedy. Some fans may complain that the disturbing aspects are what made Zim Zim, but I think it’s for the best. I’ve made it clear that there are moments that even I thought were a little much, and I’ve seen some weird stuff! Plus, the tone lines up with the ongoing comic book, and that has the Zim feeling to it.

In the end, Zim’s greatest plan gets thwarted, not by Dib alone, but by the entire family. For once, Invader Zim doesn’t screw Dib over in the end, either. He’s gotten closer to his sister, and while Professor Membrane still doesn’t believe in aliens, Dib knows that his dad’s proud of him. They even get a new family member in Clembrane, a deformed, pudding obsessed clone of Membrane made by Zim. Ironically, Clembrane’s more openly affectionate and supporting of Dib and Gaz, giving them the emotional support they need.

If anyone’s the loser in this, it’s Zim. He finally figures out the Tallest don’t respect him. Instead of reflecting on his actions, he doubles down on his attempts to get their respect. Then when he ends up losing, he deluded himself into thinking he won.

Of course, the Tallest aren’t around to express their hatred of him. Thanks to Zim’s plan, they’ve entered a deadly Florpus Hole that’s causing them to collide with alternate realities. Yeah, Enter the Florpus gets its name from a MacGuffin.

Tune Your Eyeholes and Watch This!

So, aside from the film’s title comes from a MacGuffin, and noticeably more restrained dark comedy, Enter the Florpus still captures everything that made the show a cult classic. If you were hoping that it would provide a concrete ending for Invader Zim, though, forget it. The end gives us something better: potential plot threads for the series going forward.

Like the character himself, Invader Zim is the cartoon that refuses to go away and only gets stronger as time goes by. With the success of Enter the Florpus, maybe Jhonen Vasquez will want to finish the show on his terms. At least Netflix will give him more freedom. If this leads to more Zim in the future, I’ll be ecstatic. If not, then I can rest easy knowing that I got some sort of emotional closure to an unfinished chapter of my childhood.

I give Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus a 6/5. Every bit as flawed and crazy as the original show was. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Oh, if you guys didn’t know, Zim has his own comic book series now! Crazy right? You can read it right here on this website!

Click here to see my other animation stuff.

The Funniest and Craziest GIR Moments

When it comes to insanity, I think there’s only one cartoon character that has everyone else beat. No, not the Joker; he was a comic book character first. I’m talking about the robot whose brain is literal garbage and tacos: GIR from Invader Zim.

GIR’s basically the definition of insanity/stupidity, and we love the little guy for it! He’s Zim’s robot minion, and while he’s supposed to help him conquer Earth, he goofs around instead. Some of the show’s funniest moments come from GIR’s antics, and as a loyal fan, I’d be crazy to not talk about them. So, let’s go over what I think are GIR’s craziest and greatest moments.

TACOS!, Invasion of the Idiot Dog Brain

Remember earlier this week when I talked about GIR became the AI for Zim’s Base? The little guy had a field day doing whatever he wanted. First, he refused to obey Zim, then he proceeded to bombard him with mindless TV, for a whole year! To top off the insanity, GIR then levels half the city to get tacos. Must obey the taco man!

As annoying as he can get, GIR’s good at making us laugh. I can’t quite explain it in words, but seeing him turn into a giant robot doghouse is hilarious.

Flaming Cheese! The Frycook What Came From All that Space

When Zim gets kidnapped and taken to serve as a fast food slave for the rest of eternity, he calls GIR to arrange for his rescue. After immediately forgetting his task for the next few days, he ends up calling the Tallest. This is what he said verbatim:

I wish I knew how whatever thought process he has came to this conclusion. Then again, I think exposure to GIR’s mind would drive people insane or make them stupid.

Which reminds me…

Weaponized Stupidity, Plague of Babies

Never underestimate the power of stupid. When Zim’s base gets attacked by an army of aliens that look just like babies, the Irken comes close to being overwhelmed. In a last ditch effort, Zim hooks GIR up to an amplifier he’d been messing with and kicks it on to max power. The resulting waves of stupidity are so powerful that they render the aliens brain-dead, leaving them with the minds of babies.

This wasn’t really a crazy moment from GIR, but I put it here because I thought it’s a funny take on the idea of “lethally stupid”. The stupid waves briefly killed Zim earlier in the same episode, so we know how dangerous they can be. Come to think of it, if Zim ever turned that into a weapon, he could reduce humanity to drooling mush. Thank heavens it’s a one episode thing.

Dancing Weenies, GIR Goes Crazy and Stuff

Ever wonder what goes inside of GIR’s mind sometimes? Too bad, because we got a glimpse of it. While helping Zim on one of his plans, GIR starts daydreaming. As we watch through his eyes, he imagines a herd of cows as dancing weenies. He then proceeds to ruin Zim’s plan.

If this is what GIR thinks on a daily basis, then he’s crazy.

The Doom Song, The Nightmare Begins

This was the first of many crazy moments from GIR. As he and Zim head out on their “mission”, the little robot proceeds to sing “the doom song.” He keeps at it for six months.

This moment’s part earworm and part laugh out loud for me. It’s just plain hilarious and I can’t adequately express it in words. It also indicates how stupid and crazy GIR really is.

Doom doom doom doomy doomy doom doom!

BONUS MOMENT

Want to see GIR annoying the perfect being? DevilArtemis took care of that for us.

Oh, if you guys didn’t know, Zim has his own comic book series now! Crazy right? You can read it right here on this website!

Click here to see my other animation stuff.

Greetings, worm babies of Earth. It is I, Invader Zim. For years, you have thought that I was gone. That I had given up on my glorious mission of conquest. Foolish Earth creatures, didn’t you know? An Invader never stops until they’ve finished their mission. For years, I have been watching you. Observing you and your ways. And now, finally, I have returned. Returned to bring about a pain unlike any known form of pain as I laugh at the collective soiling of your pathetic pants!! PREPARE. FOR. YOUR. DOOOOOM!! AHAHAHAHAHA

Master, Can I Sing the Doom Song Now?

No, GIR. We talked about this. I never want to hear that song again. Now let me finish my evil speech. I hijacked this Earth creature’s website to spread the word of my impending evil!

But I wanted to tell everyone about piggies. I like piggies!

Look, GIR. This is very important. I’m trying to let everyone know about my upcoming special on Netflix this Friday. So I took over this website to let everyone know about the Week of Zim! It’s five whole days counting celebrating the amazingness that is ZIM!

Can I have a taco? I need tacos. I need them or I’ll explode!

*groan* okay. Since it is a special occassion, we may partake in the disgusting earth snacks. Just let me finish up here.

Yaay! Tacoos!

Finally, he’s gone. Anyhow, obey Zim, come back every day at noon starting tomorrow, OR PREPARE FOR YOUR DOOM! MWAAHAHAHAHA!

Well that was weird. But the loud little green man was correct. Everyday I’ll be talking about one of my favorite cartoons of all time, Invader Zim. All of this will lead up to my review of Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus. And be sure to see the special for yourself on Netflix this Friday, August 16th. We did it, fellow Zim fans!

Click here to see my other animation stuff.