FILM REVIEW: The Simpsons Movie
Friday July 27, 2007 @ 01:30 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff

What's Yellow Is New Again

The Simpsons Movie (20th Century Fox)
Release date: July 27, 2007
Directed by: David Silverman
Starring (voices of): Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Harry Shearer, Hank Azaria

Rating:

Homer Simpson thinks you're a sucker. And listen, there's Nelson "hah-hah"ing you. Why? Because you were stupid enough to see a movie based on a show you can watch on TV. I bet you feel like an idiot now. Or would've — if you hadn't just spent the last hour and a half laughing through the film.

From the minute you see Ralph sitting in the "0" in "20th Century Fox," you know the movie is going to be awash with sight gags, in-jokes and non-stop reminders that The Simpsons, in all their simplistic Groening-esque grandeur, have made the big transition from home theatre to megaplex.

And as you likely expected, the film is one very large, multi-dimensional episode with fancier backgrounds and the stunning realization that Moe's sits right beside the church. Conveniently enough.

Look Up In The Sky!

Yet again, Lisa's prissy panties are all in a knot about the environment — specifically, the local lake, which is doing its best imitation of highly corrosive acid. Bart is failed by Homer and looks to the charming Nederino Flanders as his new father figure. Homer's impulsive recklessness could ruin his relationship with Marge... and he has a new pet pig. Oink.

Somehow, each individual plot all adds up to a big ugly mess that threatens the entire town of Springfield and everyone in it. Don't look to the Presidator for help, either.

Fortunately, it's not all just larger-than-life animation and pretty, pretty skies. As a movie, the Simpsons have a little more freedom on the contentious content side. There's a little nudity here (weiner!), implied bestiality there and some hot cop make-out action thrown in for good measure. There are even more Simpsons-isms that will likely make their way into contemporary language lexicon, for example, making up a batch of "frownies," and the "Spider Pig" song (stick around during the credits for a selection of various snippets and, at the very least, to enjoy the musical stylings of "Spider Pig" performed a cappella).

The Simspons Movie doesn't make any desperate attempts to be something it's not. It's loyal to the long-standing principles of the show's plots, jokes and characters. For fans who have become weary of the series' irritating roster of guest stars du jour and reliance of "The Simpsons Go To" formulas, the film actually steps back into purer days of basic Homer idiocy. The Simpsons Movie not only enjoys its long-running gags, but in true Groening fashion, runs wild with moments of self-reflexive comedy.

The film acknowledges its fanbase without actually slavishly catering to it. And in some circles, that's actually considered art.

Reviewed by Hannah Guy

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