Eric D. Snider
The Simpsons Movie
Movie Review
"The Simpsons Movie"
Review by Eric D. Snider
Grade: B+
Rating: PG-13
Released: Friday, July 27, 2007
Directed by:
Cast:
It's a grand thing to see "The Simpsons" on the big screen, isn't it? Everyone knows the 18-year-old show show isn't as funny as it used to be, but those of us who still watch it can testify that about every fourth episode is as brilliant as ever.
"The Simpsons Movie" is almost exactly the length of four 22-minute episodes, and sure enough, about one-fourth of it is brilliant. Like most of the TV episodes, the funniest parts are in the first act -- the loopy parodies and freewheeling tangents that dominate before the real plot is introduced. Once the story kicks in, the film has its moments but isn't quite as breathlessly funny as it was in the beginning.
And yet, it's still the funniest movie I've seen this year that wasn't rated R. It has the same anarchic spirit of the TV series, the lightning-fast sight gags, the clever self-awareness, and the amazing ability to satirize modern American life without being cruel. "The Simpsons" can make fun of something you love and you'll still say, "Thank you. May I have another?"
The story comes from the Homer Screws Up and Marge Almost Leaves Him drawer in the big "Simpsons" filing cabinet of plot devices. This time, Homer (voice of Dan Castellaneta) is 1) doing chores around the house, which leads to him 2) getting a pet pig, which naturally leads to 3) the destruction of Lake Springfield, which can only result in 4) the Environmental Protection Agency sealing Springfield inside a protective dome to keep it from infecting the rest of the country. And if those numbered events don't sound like they could really cause the next numbered events to occur, then you must not have watched much of "The Simpsons."
With the entire town furious with Homer, he takes the family and flees. They escape to Alaska, where Marge (Julie Kavner) wonders if she has finally been pushed too far by Homer's cluelessness. Ultimately she decides she must try to save Springfield, and she takes Bart (Nancy Cartwright), Lisa (Yeardley Smith), and baby Maggie with her, leaving Homer to contemplate his fate until an epiphany inspires him to action.
This is, you'll notice, fairly typical Simpsons fare, and it's certainly nothing that couldn't have been done on TV. They take advantage of the freedom of the big screen only by indulging in a tiny bit of swearing, letting Homer flip the bird (which is completely in character, when you think about it), and showing full frontal cartoon nudity -- of Bart. I'd heard it was coming, and I still wasn't prepared for how funny it was when it happened.
The film eventually gets bogged down in the requirements of the plot, though it never becomes boring or tiresome. In fact, the 87 minutes whizz by at a rather impressive pace. The widescreen animation (computer-enhanced to a greater degree than on TV) is smooth and colorful, and the voice work is stellar as always.
My only major complaint is that, with all the extra time available, you'd think they'd give the non-Simpson characters more opportunities to shine. One of the show's greatest accomplishments is populating the town with dozens and dozens of instantly recognizable characters who can always be counted on to show up, deliver a one-liner, and leave. The increased running time of a movie is a perfect opportunity for that, and yet quite a few Springfielders get a raw deal. Principal Skinner and his mother, Marge's ghoulish sisters, Grandpa's aged friend Jasper, the squeaky-voiced teen, ol' Gil the salesman -- they're all either not present at all, or glimpsed only briefly. Even our beloved Burns and Smithers really only get one scene. Sigh.
But do not allow my nerdy complaints to dampen your enthusiasm! "The Simpsons Movie" has the same qualities and flaws as "The Simpsons" TV show. Which is to say, it's not perfect, but you'll be laughing too hard to notice.
Grade: B+
Rated PG-13, a little mild profanity, some vulgarity, some yellow-skinned cartoon nudity
1 hr., 27 min.
Copyright © Eric D. Snider.
This work may not be transmitted via the Internet, nor reproduced in any other way, without written consent from Eric D. Snider.
This item has 17 comments
July 27, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I had essentially the same thoughts about the movie. I liked it, but I wanted more Springfield. That means either less Homer's family, or a longer movie.
July 27, 2007 at 1:30 pm
They're planning two more movies, if that helps. That should eventually satisfy everyone's needs.
July 27, 2007 at 2:33 pm
How, exactly, can a four-fingered person flip the bird?
July 27, 2007 at 5:25 pm
You ask an intriguing question, Aaron...
Anyways, I'm glad to hear it was good. I'll have to wait until Tuesday when my parents can take the baby to see it, as she's become pretty theater-intolerant, but I am looking forward to it.
Pity there's no Sideshow Bob appearances in it (I've heard), or at least little to no speaking lines. My favorite Simpsons character, and Kelsey Grammar is the man. Oh well.
July 28, 2007 at 12:31 am
ClobberGirl: I just read on Wikipedia that Kelsey Grammar did record a few lines for the film, but Sideshow Bob's scene didn't make the final cut--gotta wait for the DVD, I guess.
I was also a little disappointed that more Springfieldians didn't get into the act, even though according to the aforementioned Wikipedia article 98 characters were given speaking roles! Still, two of my favorites--Disco Stu and Johnny Tightlips--were noticeably absent (noticeably to me, at least), but there's always the sequel to look forward to!
July 28, 2007 at 4:31 am
That's good to know, Dave. Guess I'll keep my fingers crossed for some Sideshow Bob action on the DVD.
July 28, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Does the "full frontal cartoon nudity" literally mean that EVERYTHING is shown? That disturbs me. Anyone who has seen it want to comment (say if it's true or not)? I can't think of any reason why you'd need that.
July 28, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Hate to break it to you, John, but yeah, it's true. I can think of a few movies where gratuitous nudity wasn't really needed, but in most cases I'm glad it was there. (Revisit Eric's "Clash of the Titanic" for a perfect example.)
July 28, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Actually, technically it wasn't a full frontal, (all at the same time). However, yes, there is an appearance of Bart's male anatomy. And, it was Simpson's-funny, considering how they fit it in.
I was actually annoyed that Cletus got so many lines while other Springfieldians didn't. I'm not a Cletus fan, though.
August 1, 2007 at 5:11 am
Great review Eric......... I agree that the first half of the movie was much better than the second half. I guess they decided to not put in many of the secondary characeters to appeal to people that don't watch the show and wouldn't get some of the subtle jokes that go along with them. Since this movie did amazing at the box office, I'm wondering how a Family Guy movie would do on the big screen. It seems there is more of a buzz surrounding Stewie than Bart recently. Even if it makes half as much, it would still be profitable.
August 1, 2007 at 9:53 am
I don't think Family Guy has the following that the Simpsons has. The fact that their first movie was designed to go straight to video gives an indiction of how well they thought a film would do with large audiences.
August 6, 2007 at 2:21 pm
This film was mediocre compared with the TV episodes I have seen, and I regret spending the time and money to see it. What baffles me is how so much terrific talent could have produced such an anemic story line. !Totalmente sin brillo!
August 6, 2007 at 3:57 pm
We enjoyed it, mostly because it was great to laugh with an entire audience of people.
My viewing partner was more than anxious to leave the theater and I only caught the credits up through the point where the family is sitting in front of the screen (a la MST3K) and talking about sequels, etc. Did anything happen during the credits after that?
August 26, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Bart's "nudity" wasn't nearly as funny as Homer's in Season 9 when he and and Marge where caught at the mini putt putt place and ran through town and Homer was sliding along the glass of the church. Now THAT was funny.
This move, eh, not so much.
There is something to be said of watching it on the big screen with other Simpson fans that "get it.".
December 15, 2007 at 4:25 am
i still haven't seen the simpsons movie i'm hoping i get it for christmas and reading all of these comments has made me want it even more.I also think that they should think about a family guy movie of futurama movie.if you haven't seen the futurama series i really recomend it it is so so funny.
please post a comment back anyone what are your views on a futurama or family guy movie
zach
December 21, 2007 at 6:37 am
Uh, Zach... a Futurama movie was just released...
December 21, 2007 at 9:14 am
Blech. Just got the DVD and not only was there no sign of the missing Sideshow Bob scenes, there was not a single funny moment among the deleted scenes or other bonus materials (though I haven't watched the commentaries or hunted for easter eggs yet). Apparently all the good stuff made it into the movie.
I still think it's a great movie, but it's sad that they didn't put any extra effort into the DVD for us Simpsons nerds. Oh well...