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Review: The Simpsons
Spider-pig, Spider-pig. Does whatever a Spider-Pig does. The lyrics to that song will be etched into your mind after seeing this movie. And I have to say, go see this movie. Now. Quickly.
As a lifelong (well, Simpsons life) fan of the show, I'll admit I had my doubts. Yes, the show hasn't been nearly as good as it used to, and yes, people seem to keep reminding me of that. But its still better than half the other crap on TV. I won't lie though, I mainly watch new episodes at this point because I feel I owe it to the writers for doing something so long. I went into the movie with the same sense of obligation, but I came out very pleased.
Everything that made The Simpsons TV show epic was perfectly incorporated into the movie. From the opening sequence that starts with the heavenly voices, to Bart writing on the board, to Burns being the grinch that he always is. Everything is perfect. And the movie doesn't kid itself either. It recognizes that its really just one long episode (it even only has 1 band and 1 guest star as cameos). But Groening and the writers seemed to have found the step they may have lost in recent years.
The plot, as always, revolves around Homer. When he decides to disregard an edict to stop polluting, he causes the town of Springfield to be put in a dome by the EPA. By some strange twist of Simpson fate, they end up living in Alaska, where Marge decides she's had enough, and goes back to Springfield to clean up Homer's mess. And, like old hat, its up to Homer to show up and save the day, thus redeeming himself in the eyes of everyone until the next time he screws up.
There is a slight retread of the Bart/Homer father son issues, and once again Bart is pushed close to the arms of Ned (its interesting that they didn't reference that at all actually, considering Homer took a baptism for Bart). The movie didn't have the benefit of being an episode in that it couldn't focus on lesser characters all that much, and you could tell that the writers tried to get every lovable character into the movie, even if it meant them showing up simply to say their catchphrase. But they pulled no punches, and earned their PG-13 rating.
From Bart getting drunk on a nip of whiskey, to Maggie saying her first words (I don't know if that's her official first word, as she's said something in the show before), The Simpsons pretty much hits the gas and doesn't let up. And part of the reason its so good is that Groening includes his view on the world, making the satire work even better. Bart's playing a game called Baby Blaster (pro-abortion anyone), Homer thumbs through the Bible to proclaim that "this book doesn't have any answers." Everything was spot on hysterical and poignant, which leads me to one minor gripe. In the Simpsons, the jokes fly so fast and furious that its hard to catch up, and some of them you're laughing at so much you miss the next one. Well, try multiplying one laugh by about 300, and you have the movie theater audience. By no means a bad thing, but I'm sure there were a few jokes in there I missed because that audience was laughing so hard at the one before.
Its hard for anyone to truthfully give you an unbiased opinion of The Simpsons movie, because everyone has seen at least one episode of the show. And, to be quite honest, it felt very surreal to be watching the movie, because its something that was rumored for so long, and eventually got to the point where it didn't seem like it was every going to come out. Its probably a sign of what's to come, as it wouldnt surprise me if this upcoming season is the last one. If that's the case, then it was definitely one hell of a ride. And the movie was perfect in every Simpsons way imaginable.
Do yourself a favor, and go see it. Even if you haven't watched Simpsons in years, there's enough of the old school flavor in it that you'll appreciate what you're seeing.
Rating: 80 out of 100
Spider-pig, Spider-pig. Does whatever a Spider-Pig does. The lyrics to that song will be etched into your mind after seeing this movie. And I have to say, go see this movie. Now. Quickly.
As a lifelong (well, Simpsons life) fan of the show, I'll admit I had my doubts. Yes, the show hasn't been nearly as good as it used to, and yes, people seem to keep reminding me of that. But its still better than half the other crap on TV. I won't lie though, I mainly watch new episodes at this point because I feel I owe it to the writers for doing something so long. I went into the movie with the same sense of obligation, but I came out very pleased.
Everything that made The Simpsons TV show epic was perfectly incorporated into the movie. From the opening sequence that starts with the heavenly voices, to Bart writing on the board, to Burns being the grinch that he always is. Everything is perfect. And the movie doesn't kid itself either. It recognizes that its really just one long episode (it even only has 1 band and 1 guest star as cameos). But Groening and the writers seemed to have found the step they may have lost in recent years.
The plot, as always, revolves around Homer. When he decides to disregard an edict to stop polluting, he causes the town of Springfield to be put in a dome by the EPA. By some strange twist of Simpson fate, they end up living in Alaska, where Marge decides she's had enough, and goes back to Springfield to clean up Homer's mess. And, like old hat, its up to Homer to show up and save the day, thus redeeming himself in the eyes of everyone until the next time he screws up.
There is a slight retread of the Bart/Homer father son issues, and once again Bart is pushed close to the arms of Ned (its interesting that they didn't reference that at all actually, considering Homer took a baptism for Bart). The movie didn't have the benefit of being an episode in that it couldn't focus on lesser characters all that much, and you could tell that the writers tried to get every lovable character into the movie, even if it meant them showing up simply to say their catchphrase. But they pulled no punches, and earned their PG-13 rating.
From Bart getting drunk on a nip of whiskey, to Maggie saying her first words (I don't know if that's her official first word, as she's said something in the show before), The Simpsons pretty much hits the gas and doesn't let up. And part of the reason its so good is that Groening includes his view on the world, making the satire work even better. Bart's playing a game called Baby Blaster (pro-abortion anyone), Homer thumbs through the Bible to proclaim that "this book doesn't have any answers." Everything was spot on hysterical and poignant, which leads me to one minor gripe. In the Simpsons, the jokes fly so fast and furious that its hard to catch up, and some of them you're laughing at so much you miss the next one. Well, try multiplying one laugh by about 300, and you have the movie theater audience. By no means a bad thing, but I'm sure there were a few jokes in there I missed because that audience was laughing so hard at the one before.
Its hard for anyone to truthfully give you an unbiased opinion of The Simpsons movie, because everyone has seen at least one episode of the show. And, to be quite honest, it felt very surreal to be watching the movie, because its something that was rumored for so long, and eventually got to the point where it didn't seem like it was every going to come out. Its probably a sign of what's to come, as it wouldnt surprise me if this upcoming season is the last one. If that's the case, then it was definitely one hell of a ride. And the movie was perfect in every Simpsons way imaginable.
Do yourself a favor, and go see it. Even if you haven't watched Simpsons in years, there's enough of the old school flavor in it that you'll appreciate what you're seeing.
Rating: 80 out of 100
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