Movie Review: The Simpsons Movie

There had been talks of a Simpsons movie dating all the way back to 1994, but it is only now, thirteen years later, that it has become a reality. I was definitely interested in seeing it, but there were some definite concerns to be had going in. I've enjoyed the show on and off since its inception, however I always thought that it should have ended many years ago, as there has been a creative drought for a number of seasons now. I was worried about the quality of writing for the movie, as anyone who has been watching the past few years will have to have seen the drop in number of laughs per episode (the last season was a step up, though). After the writing there is a concern that with 18 seasons (so far) of episodes, with many in perpetual reruns, would people be interested in paying for it? The answer is, and should be, a resounding yes. While the movie did not really open up any new ground, it delivered a steady succession of laugh out loud jokes, and was a suitably bigger story that did not feel like a couple of episodes run end to end.

The movie, itself, answered the question of viewership in its opening sequence, an inspired violent bit featuring Itchy and Scratchy, the lovably violent mouse and cat combo. It appears to be a short to open the show, but it is quickly revealed to be an Itchy and Scratchy movie, with Homer complaining they could have stayed home and watched it on television for free. It is a funny bit defusing what was likely an actual concern for the studio.

The Simpsons Movie begins by introducing us to the town on the big screen, and it is a hilarious jaunt through the familiar territory. No, it is not a town tour, but it is all the setup material to get the actual plot moving, but it is also the most fertile joke territory of the entire movie. I was given to laughing out loud at numerous points during this opening, with the frequency decreasing the further along the movie progressed. I can honestly say I was surprised by the sharp wit, and how fast the jokes came early on. Any worries that I had that this would fall in line with the past weak seasons was quickly erased. It was almost as if the writers (of which there are 11 credited) saved up all of their best bits to weave into a feature length tale.

The story centers on Homer's culpability in the overpollution of the lake, which results in the federal government coming down hard on the town. Of course, the town does not take too kindly to yet another of Homer's screw ups, and a mob is formed. While the mob marches on the Simpson home, the family is able to escape their clutches and head off to start new lives. Their lives are so inextricably linked with the town of anonymous origin (they border Ohio, Nevada, Maine, and Kentucky) that the separation does not last long.

You know, it would be easy to go ahead and describe the plot, but it does follow a Simpsons formula. It features some opening gags that lead to Homer doing something stupid, leadingt o Homer doing something even more stupid putting the family at risk, Marge nags, Bart is mischieveous, Lisa picks up a crusade, Homer realizes the error of his ways, and Homer saves the day. This is setup is no stranger to fans of the series, but the setup is not what I was watching for. Of course, I was not terribly sure what to expect, I just wanted to laugh and not feel like I was watching an episode.

The plot was thin enough that it could have been an episode, but it was open enough that there was plenty of room to fill in gags and bring the classic Simpsons humor to the more expansive big screen. Was it all I thought it could be? Not really. The problem with making a Simpsons movie is that you cannot take it too far from what made the show popular, while you have to make it bigger than the series. It is a delicate balance that must be struck.

In addition to the stepped up writing, the animation was simply gorgeous. It was a good example of what traditional 2D animation can look like on the big screen. It has nearly been relegated to a lost art with the emphasis being put so strongly on 3D computer animation that I cannot remember the last time I saw this animation on the big screen (that did not originate in Japan anyway). The clan made the transition in beautiful fashion, the character designs, the smoothness, it is all a delight to watch. Sure, computers were not completely absent from the production, but this is clearly a primarily hand drawn affair.

Bottomline. I know this may not have included as much information as you would have liked, suffice to say the movie is very funny, it looks fantastic, and is just much more satisfying that I thought possible. Great? No, but still very satisfying. This is a movie that I would recommend seeing on the big screen and just laughing at the insanity with the rest of the crowd.

Recommended.