The new doorway sequence is a treat for the eyes. However, it looks like it may be CG (not that there's anything wrong with that). If it isn't, color me impressed.
It's definitely miniatures just like the original. Joel mentioned it in one of the updates. They have way better video tech and it's a lot easier to make that kind of stuff now (3D printers, better wireless motors, etc) which is why it looks better.
I had a friend who was a heavy backer, so I saw a few episodes early and he also had a party where we watched a bunch in a row (honestly, probably not the ideal way to watch but it was fun).
My general thoughts:
They did a great job getting the general vibe back. It feels like MST3k. Jonah seems like a good new host, in performance and personality. Seems a bit inbetween Mike and Joel if that makes sense. Felicia Day and Patton Oswalt have good chemistry. I like the additions to the bot movement. Some pretty good songs.
Negatives... I think Jonah and the new Tom Servo voice are too similar, can barely tell them apart. I hope we get a bit more character based humor, which is one of the big things that differentiates MST3K from Riff Trax or Cinematic Titanic. The pacing and style of jokes, it at times reminded me a bit more of Riff Trax than MST3k. Still, I'd agree with Rev that the eps I saw generally reminded me of the average ones from like season 8.
Brief episode thoughts:
Reptilicus - This movie is too slow, dull and repetitive to be very interesting riffing material. It's still a decent episode, and I enjoyed the musical introductory number.
Cry Wilderness - Utterly bonkers film, hard to even describe. Perfect MST3k material, and the strongest episode I've seen. Pretty funny from beginning to end.
Time Travelers - Really really slow movie. I was falling asleep. The riffs are fine, but can't save it.
Avalanche - Slow film, has a few good lines. Decent.
Beast of Hollow Mountain - a bad B western that has a hilarious stop motion T-rex at the end. The dinosaur stuff is hilarious, but the bland opening hour is hard to find much material to riff on. Just OK.
Starcrash - I like the film (only one I own on disc), and the riffs are pretty solid. Good one.
Land That Time Forgot - I have no idea how I'd never seen the original film before, would have been right up my alley as a kid. Film is a mixed bag - I actually like most of the monsters, particularly the design - actually kind of creepy, and the matte work and rear projection is quite good. The pterodactyls look awful though. As a vehicle for MST3k, it has its moments, but the film gets a bit repetitive and isn't quite bad enough to riff super well.
Loves of Hercules - What a stinker of a film, yeeeesh. Incredibly dull and boring. I liked the hydra prop, even if it can barely. Some good riffs, but again, the film is so slow moving it gets a bit hard to watch.
