he inimitable cast of “Futurama” returns in this second feature-length animated film, “The Beast with a Billion Backs.” Once again, the outstandingly dry humor surfaces, with throwbacks, spoofs, and parodies of famous science-fiction elements, as well as pop-culture jabs. But this follow-up outing begins to show the strain of 3-4 episodes being melded together. Without the usual (commercial) breaks the TV show afforded, some of the segments run a bit ill-paced toward the conclusion; no doubt the film would be more enjoyable as separate episodes that run individually and in smaller story arcs. It’s still the genius of “Futurama,” but it’s several of the less impressive adventures.

An electromagnetic alternate universe reveals itself to the frightened people of earth as a space-rip anomaly in the sky. Professor Hubert Farnsworth (Billy West) racks his brain for a solution to the possibly hazardous situation, but is contested by his longtime rival Doctor Ogden Wernstrom (David Herman), who is constantly intent on one-upping the aging scientist. When Philip Fry (also Billy West), a bumbling Planet Express employee, is sent into space to implement Ogden’s plans, a planet-sized, tentacled monster named Yivo (David Cross) emerges, intent on taking over the world.

Leela (Katey Sagal), Farnsworth, Amy Wong (Lauren Tom), Zoidberg (again, Billy West), Hermes Conrad (Phil LaMarr), Zapp Brannigan, and more must unite to battle the enormous beast, which has sent down his many tentacles to turn the people of Earth into mindless zombie puppets. Fry becomes the tentacle pope of the world, fixated on forcing everyone to join him as a victim to the enslaving, mind-controlling appendages. Meanwhile, the unsympathetic and crass robot Bender (John DiMaggio) becomes infatuated with television star Calculon (Maurice LaMarche), and decides to stalk him. Unearthing the League of Robots, a secretive group of powerful droids teamed to protect the less fortunate robots of the world, Bender eventually joins them, only to become jealous of Calculon’s leadership. As he plots to unite massive droid armies to usurp planet Earth, the human inhabitants decide to join Yivo in his dimension – after it is determined that all he wants is a meaningful relationship.

Brittany Murphy joins the voice cast as Fry’s girlfriend Colleen, a spunky young woman who believes she can satisfy her five boyfriends, much to the dismay of the conventional Fry. A hilarious Deathball tournament is used to settle arguments; the constant, scatterbrained machinations of chauvinistic starship captain Zapp Brannigan return; Kif Kroker and Amy Wong take their relationship to the next level; and Pazuzu even makes an appearance. And finally, Nixon’s head leads the citizens of Earth to a “Pirates of the Caribbean” finale, which convinces everyone that love is downright awful – and that there is no great love without jealousy. But for all of the nonstop jokes, cameos, and general buffoonery, “The Beast With a Billion Backs” seems poorly timed during most of its duration.

It’s ironic that most criticisms of TV-to-movie adaptations are that the feature merely feels like several episodes stitched together. For this second “Futurama” film, it literally is several episodes stitched together (or certainly planned to be cut up that way for television), and is probably much more effective being viewed in its pieces. Nevertheless, it won’t disappoint diehard fans of the show, but it also doesn’t add as much excitement to “Futurama’s” long-awaited return.

– Mike Massie