The television show "Family Guy" has had a very long and notorious past.  Cancelled before its time, the always politically incorrect cartoon found its new home on DVD and the Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" block.  With the DVD making record sales and the late night showings stealing viewers away from both Leno and Letterman, FOX took notice.  Now, not only is the show back on the air, but we also get a straight-to-DVD movie entitled "Stewie Griffen: The Untold Story," and, ultimately, it is a worthwhile ninty minutes for any self-respecting "Family Guy" fan.

The story, as disposable as it may be, goes like this: psycho smart kid Stewie has had enough with the Griffen family, and has decided to call it quits.  Believing he has another family entirely, he shacks up along with family pet Brian and sex fiend neighbor Quagmire for a cross-country road trip to find his real father.  This linear plot really just serves as an excuse for more "Family Guy"-related humor.  There is also some subplots involving Peter Griffen getting a gig on the local news team and some "Back to the Future"-esque time jumps.

First and foremost, if you are not a fan of "Family Guy," do not expect this film to change your opinion anytime soon.  This DVD has all the usual callings, including some fart gags, a few sex jokes, and the always welcome flashback sequences that always begin with, "Like the time I...".  Another thing to point out is that this is essentially just three episodes glued together into a some what coherent storyline.  In fact, these three episode will actually air at some point, albeit seperately.  But the DVD does include some bonus footage like more swear words as well as an opening and closing that will not be featured when the episodes air on FOX.

Now, there are some negatives.  For example, one of the things I had to do while watching it the first time around was to pause and come back.  Even though I am a fan, I still realize that a little "Family Guy" does go a long way, and at almost an hour and a half, some of the normally very funny jokes may seem a bit overdrawn.  Of course, not every joke is a winner in the first place, but I'm not going to knock it too hard, as there where many more instances that are worth at least a chuckle or two, if not out-and-out laughter (a gag involving "Country" being spelled incorrectly on Quagmire's camper comes to mind).

All together, if you are a fan of the show, at least rent this one, if not buy it for the decent Special Features (see below).  If you are not a fan, again, I must reitterate, do not even come near this one.  It just wasn't meant to be for some people.

Movie: *** out of ****

DVD Extras: *** out of ****

First up is the excellent commentary from creator/resident genius Seth MacFarlane, some of the cast, and alot of the show's writers.  If you have heard any of the commentaries on the previous DVD sets, you should know that MacFarlane is a great speaker (if you can, I highly reccomend that you search out one of his lectures at any nearby college).  Funny and informative, the commentary may be worth the price for the DVD alone.  Unfortunately, there's not too much more.  There are some basic animatic comparisons that most animated movies have on their DVD's these days.  It's interesting, but not too deep.  Finally, there is a preview for the upcoming "Family Guy: Volume 3" DVD set.

As far as I was concerned, it was a few pretty good episodes jammed together.  So, a good deal better than the average comedy that comes out these days.  I thought Part II was a lot stronger than Part I.

I also thought that the profanity and words like 'douchebag' (which is quite an amusing word) weren't really taken full advantage of for their comedic potential.

It was fair.  Good fun.  

I think if they do another, it will most likely be much better.  Oh, and I thought the opening was painfully unfunny.    

Quoted from Heretic Oh, and I thought the opening was painfully unfunny.

I disagree.  I was laughing my ass off from start to finish.  The opening was great.  Adam West's words, Meg's near-speech, The Littlest Bunny ... all hilarious!  Totally flawless episodes put together nicely.  Every joke was gold.  The reaction to Meg's Cher impersonation was amazing comedy.  By the way, I love how they're treating Meg this season!

Bottomline, Family Guy is awesome.

I cannot wait to see this, not literally, I mean it is physically possible for me to wait, and I will, but what I mean is that I really do want to buy it and see it soon.  hopefully this weekend.

The DVD features are crap, I expected more from these guys... The film itself is really good and to be expected because Family Guy is a great show that anybody of any age could enjoy.

Straight to DVD should mean you try harder to get people to talk about it and others buy it but when you don't have much if any special material people would just rather rent it and/or steal it.

But yeah it is one of the best animated cartoon shows probably ever created and I think people should support the film by buying it like hot cakes and make it a hit (Hopefully giving them more films and crushing The Simpsons in the process.)

Quoted from Old Time Wesley and crushing The Simpsons in the process.)

No.  FAMILY GUY and THE SIMPSONS should co-exist.

However, they MUST resurrect FUTURAMA.  And if the only way to do that is to cancel a current FOX cartoon, it'd come down to AMERICAN DAD or KING OF THE HILL.  I love both shows, but AMERICAN DAD would be the one which gets cancelled.  However, if AMERICAN DAD moved to Texas, KING OF THE HILL would be cancelled.  I don't have to back up my logic, because face it:  you all know I'm right.

I don't think they will cancel American Dad because they want Family Guy to do well... It's like Family Guy which is a hit, we'll find out on DVD at the end of the season if you're right or wrong but I'm thinking you'll be wrong.