The Simpsons Movie

Posted by Chris Beaumont (chrisbeaumont@filmschoolrejects.com) on August 2, 2007

There had been talk 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 I had some concerns 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, although the last season was a step up.

In addition to the writing, I was also concerned that with 18 seasons of episodes so far, and 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 open up any new ground, it delivered a steady succession of laugh-out-loud jokes, and was a sufficiently bigger story that it didn’t feel like a couple of episodes run end to end.

The movie answered the question of viewership in its opening sequence — an inspired violent bit featuring Itchy and Scratchy, the lovably vicious 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 familiar territory. It is not a town tour, but rather it is the setup material to get the actual plot moving. It is also the most fertile joke territory of the entire movie. I was laughing out loud at numerous points during this opening, but the frequency of laughter decreased as 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 past weak seasons was quickly erased. It was almost as if the writers (of whom 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 over-pollution 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 (it borders 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, which leads to Homer doing something even more stupid and putting the family at risk; Marge nags; Bart is mischievous; Lisa picks up a crusade; Homer realizes the error of his ways; and Homer saves the day. This setup is no stranger to fans of the series, but the setup is not what I was watching for. Of course, I was not 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 it cannot be taken too far from what made the show popular, while still making 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.

Bottom line. I know this review may not have included as much information as you would have liked. Suffice to say that the movie is very funny, it looks fantastic, and is much more satisfying that I thought possible. Not a great movie, but still very satisfying. This is a movie that I would recommend seeing on the big screen and laughing at the insanity with the rest of the crowd.

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