The Simpsons Movie
The hype, oh the hype! After releasing intriguing teaser trailers with lots of content but nothing to help you infer a plot, Fox has been flinging this movie in our face wherever we turn. That desperate feel, coupled with the lengthy wait for this big-screen event, can make one wary. However, unlike other over-advertised movies this summer, I walked away very hppy that I saw this one. The Simpsons Movie is not just an extra-long episode or the show with full animated nudity. It’s a genuine Big Event Movie, with tons of action, characters reaching emotional breaking points, beloved in-jokes, and lots and lots of funny.
Oh, I hear you out there, you “the Simpsons hasn’t been funny for years” nay-sayers and weinerschnitzels. I can address your concerns (misplaced or not) with these words: All-Star Dream Team. Everyone who has ever contributed to any high point in this amazing series over its two decades on the air - these people are the writing team. After 400 episodes, can you name any show that still maintains the standard (albeit a high one) set by itself in its own prime years? So, hush you, and get thee to the multiplex. After nearly 20 years of continual, free entertainment, haven’t these brilliant folks merited a mere $10 from you? (Non-fans, you would enjoy it too.) Bonus: No Family Guy pop-up ads.
While Hans Zimmer embiggens the spirit of Springfield with his big-screen music, I do miss Alf Clausen’s clever and addictive songs. Everything else you love about the Simpsons I here, at more frames per second and with widescreen scope and cinematography. Here is a long form (85 minutes instead of 22) return to the stream-of-consciousness exposition of the old days. Remember when a boring day of soccer turned into a gun control storyline? The Simpsons Movie brings in many random plots in keeping with their lead characters, and ties them together with the storytelling acumen for which the show is famous. Throw in Spider-Pig, Marge’s emotional epiphany, a soupcon of identity crises and environmental awareness, and jokes for fanboy and newbies alike, and you have a great day a the movies. It’s got higher stakes than many an episode, metafictional self-awareness without grating irony, and the reigning kings of voice talent.
Lest ye think that the rabid, money-is-no object promotion of this movie is a subtle indicator that Fox has tamed the Yellow Harvest of Matt Groening’s brainchild - you’re wrong. The Simpsons still gleefully bite the hand that feeds them and keeps the jokes just out of reach of censorship. Maybe they aren’t subversive anymore, but I like to think it’s because they paved the way for a better world of prime-time animation, subverting the need to be subversive. They are still cunning, still a mile-a-minute and still the standard bearers of good, intelligent comedy, animated or otherwise. Give ‘em some love - they have more than earned it.
MPAA Rating PG-13
Release date 7/27/07
Time in minutes 85
Director Steve D. Moore, Gregg Vanzo, Steven Markowski
Studio 20th Century Fox
