“Sausage Party,” an unconventional entertainment franchise from Seth Rogen, first emerged in 2016, amid a landscape of mixed outrageous and charming comedies like “Neighbors” and its sequel. The R-rated animated film featured sentient food products striving to evade their inevitable culinary demise. Despite its crude jokes and rough animation, the movie also contained a religious allegory, making it an unexpected hit. It became the highest-grossing R-rated animated movie ever, earning $141 million globally.
Now, after countless changes, including a pandemic and the rise of streaming services, “Sausage Party” returns as an eight-part series on Amazon Prime Video titled “Sausage Party: Foodtopia.” Although Rogen and his ensemble are back, bringing the same crude humor and violence, the new series struggles to capture the fun and originality of its predecessor.
Picking up after the film’s ending, the foods have escaped their captors and are blissfully unaware of the challenges ahead. Frank (voiced by Rogen) and Brenda (voiced by Kristen Wiig) revel in their newfound freedom, only for their celebration to abruptly turn into chaos due to a rainstorm. The food items face dire consequences, leading to a division among survivors about their next steps, forming a narrative steeped in real-world issues like rigged elections and judicial corruption.
However, “Foodtopia” suffers from overambition. The creators focus heavily on drawing parallels with real-world problems, sacrificing the frivolous fun that characterized the original film. The new season introduces various societal issues but fails to present them in an engaging manner, making the series feel more like a lecture rather than entertainment. Even attempts at humor through food-related puns fall flat, with many jokes feeling forced and uninspired.
Voice performances from returning actors like Edward Norton and new additions lack the memorable charm of the original. The animation quality has also declined, comparable to children’s shows like “Cocomelon,” which diminishes the series’ appeal.
Despite some attempts at satire, the show’s execution leaves much to be desired. “Foodtopia” dwells heavily on its era-related themes without offering substantial escapism or enjoyment. The result is a series that, rather than invoking surprise and delight, prompts viewers to question their investment in watching it.
Grade: D+
“Sausage Party: Foodtopia” debuts Thursday, July 11 on Prime Video, with all eight episodes available at once.