Movie Review: The Simpsons Movie (July, 2007)

So, it's finally here. The greatest TV programme ever made, debuting on the big screen intact, yellow-skinned and four fingered like always. As massive fans of the show, watching since the age of eight when The Simpsons first began, our expectations have reached a feverishly high level for the long awaited movie version. And by and large it doesn't disappoint, it just doesn't quite meet our lofty expectations. But it's The Simpsons, on the big screen, which makes it inherently bulletproof. First of all, there's the initial shock of seeing The Simpsons at your local multiplex, larger than life to overcome. After 17 years of comfortable small screen viewing, it's simultaneously strange and exciting to see Springfield's residents on blown-up on celluloid.

The Simpsons Movie completely belongs to Homer; his own unique brand of endearing stupidity sets the plot's wheels in motion when he adopts a pig from Krusty Burger. To elaborate further would mar the experience, after all, the trailer has already given away some of the funniest scenes (Spider-Pig for instance). As expected, The Simpsons Movie plays out in much the same way as an extended episode would, albeit an episode that is four times longer than normal. Unfortunately, the story is so centred upon a certain set of characters that a lot of the supporting cast are inevitably marginalized. Most criminally of all, especially given the nature of the movie's story, is the lack of screen time for Mr. Burns. With such a massive universe, that some characters aren't catered for was to be expected. It's just a shame that certain favourites are pushed into the background or don't appear at all. Bizarrely, the movie is also bereft of the kind of in-jokes and movie references that are normally peppered throughout Simpsons episodes. Thankfully the knowing wit and sharp satire remains (Schwarzenegger in the White House) making the movie unmistakeably the work of the genius team of writers who have collectively managed to keep the show fresh for all these years.
Any criticisms levelled at The Simpsons Movie melt into insignificance once it gets going. From the very beginning, it's wall-to-wall gags, making The Simpsons Movie pound-for-pound funnier than any other comedy movie you're likely to see. Given the sheer volume of comical material on offer here, there’s bound to be a few that don't hit the target, but fortunately these don't detract from the rest of the film's funnies.
The Simpsons Movie is a hugely enjoyable film that successfully transports America's most dysfunctional family to cinemas. That it's consistently funny, engaging and massive fun is testament to the longevity of The Simpsons. And if Maggie's final word during the movie’s credits is to be believed, we haven't seen the last of The Simpsons on the big screen. Woohoo!
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