Invader ZIM: Enter the Florpus (2019) – Summary, Review (with Spoilers)

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In many ways, Invader ZIM: Enter the Florpus is but an epilogue to the show which does leave room for a reboot but makes for grand finale.

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Director(s)		Young Kyun Park, Jhonen Vasquez, Hong-Seung Yoon
Screenplay By		Jhonen Vasquez
Date Released		8/16/2019
Genre(s)		Animation, Comedy
Good If You Like		Inane Comedy A Handful Of Real Moments Amongst A Crazy Story
Noted Cast
Zim	Richard Horvitz
Gir	Rikki Simons
Dib	Andy Berman
Gaz	Melissa Fahn
Professor Membrane	Rodger Bumpass

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Invader ZIM: Enter the Florpus Plot Summary

For quite some time, Zim and Girl seemingly just disappeared. Thus, everyone moved on – but Dib. He sat, waited, watched multiple monitors, all the while fusing with his chair and becoming fat. Which, if you believe Zim, was Phase I. As for Phase II? Well, he forgot. Yet, through a series of accidents, later referred to as things Zim either did on purpose or was part of him adapting to the situation, Phase II evolves into the destruction of Earth by the tallest. Which becomes possible all thanks to the Membracelet that Professor Membrane makes.

Review

Highlights

Gaz Got A Bigger Role In The Movie Than Series

It has been years since I’ve watched Invader Zim, but one thing I don’t remember a lot of was Gaz. Like Gir, she had a place on the show, mostly in one-liners, but in the film, she feels like a whole character. Someone beyond Dib’s mean sister and she helps craft this idea of family. She gives the show some heart as it tries to be a bit more mature than what you’re used to.

It Gets Emotional At Times

Let’s just get it out of the way, I’m a cry baby, and it doesn’t take much to make my eyes water. However, Dib and Zim’s desire for acceptance and validation was an unexpected gut punch. Especially Dib’s pursuit of his dad’s approval since you’re expecting more of the same when it comes to Invader Zim. Which means lots of random moments, Gaz going off on her brother, Dib going back and forth, and Gir being both adorable but sometimes creepy.

So in the few moments when things got serious, and Dib wasn’t just this eccentric kid, it reminded you that as much as this is a sci-fi/fantasy, and comedy, for them things were real. We’re not watching a cartoon made strictly for entertainment purposes. When it comes to the characters, things really are life and death, they have emotions, and the comedic situations aren’t just about making jokes but represent the consistently strange happenstances of their lives.

On The Fence

It Doesn’t Hold Onto Your Nostalgia For Very Long

Memories of Invader Zim mostly dwell on how zany it was. In particular, Gir’s antics. However, years later, while Gir talking about eating a baby, rolling around in pizza, things like that, they don’t have the same impact. Yeah, they bring fond memories, but then you are left wondering if this might be taken to the next level? Which, story-wise, we see in terms of Dib’s relationship with his family but not so much with the comedy.

Invader ZIM: Enter the Florpus Overall: Positive (Worth Seeing)

While the door is left open for future Invader Zim episodes, one can only hope people watch this, enjoy it, and clamor for Vasquez’s other productions. For what Invader ZIM: Enter the Florpus shows is that he, and his team, still got it. So one can only hope with Vasquez seemingly developing a relationship with Netflix, Johnny the Homicidal Maniac will be adapted soon.

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