Movie Review: The Simpsons Movie

The Simpsons Movie (2007)

While recently browsing the previously-viewed DVDs at the 4 for $20 sale at a favorite video store, I happened upon The Simpsons Movie, a title I've had on my want list for a while but have been reluctant to buy.

The beginnings of the theatrical adaptation of America's favorite animated TV family is nearly as old as the 20 season (and counting) television program itself, so they had a lot to live up to, especially among long-time and hardcore fans.

It may not be fair to compare a film adaptation to its original source material; ideally, any film should be able to stand up on its own as a complete entity, and should be reviewed only within its own context. However, The Simpsons Movie is so closely tied to the rich history and characters of the series that separating the two is nearly impossible. The best gags in the Movie require more than just a passing knowledge of the series. The series has introduced and molded dozens upon dozens of Springfield residents, most of which appear in the movie, if for but one or two lines or a brief sight gag. I pity the uninitiated viewer trying to make sense of all the bit characters being thrown at the screen in this movie with no introduction and often no relevance.

But none of that matters. This is a movie for the fans. The public has had twenty years for character introductions, and the movie moves past that to get to the meat.

But the fact that the movie is so closely tied to its twenty years on the small screen and that this is a movie for the fans, is precisely where the movie meets its pitfalls as well. Indulge me while I nerd nitpick.

The plot line of the Simpson family moving away from Springfield feels tacked-on. The family first faced leaving home in the episode "Dancin' Homer." The threat of them actually moving away felt real back in Season Two. But how many times have they "moved" only to return since then? By now it is only a gimmick that has been driven into the ground. In the movie it really served no purpose other than to kill some time and allow their heroic "return."

I had problems with giant dome that encapsulates the city as well. Throughout the entire production of this movie, we were promised a story akin to the smart, classic episodes of the first several seasons, and not the outlandish shows of the later seasons. And the story we got was such an over-the-top, cartoonishly evil one as this?

Furthermore, did you notice that every important location in Springfield -- including the school, the church, and the Simpsons' own home -- just happens to be conveniently located right on the edge of town where the dome is placed?

And furthermore: a Simpsons movie, with a story involving an environmental disaster and a "cartoonishly evil plot," and Mr. Burns is not involved? What a missed opportunity.

Mob scenes have been a running gag on the series since the start. But in this movie, they take it too far. A character threading a pacifier on a noose to imply their intention to kill the baby is just bad taste. Nearly as disturbing was the scene of ten year old Bart getting drunk on whiskey. This is excessively dark and not at all the tone of The Simpsons we are accustomed to.

Perhaps the most likable character in the movie, oddly, is Homer's goody-goody "nemesis" Ned Flanders, who is thankfully not the stereotypical crazy religious fundamentalist he has become in the most recent seasons of the series, but is portrayed merely as a compassionate, caring neighbor.

The DVD presentation of the movie is lacking in special features. I remember reports and soundbites throughout the production about how the movie was continuously changing, and that they could practically create a second movie of all the cut scenes. Okay, so, where is that? And where is the behind-the-scenes stuff and the documentary about the legacy and long history leading up to this movie? Simpsons fans have become accustomed to generously-loaded DVD sets on each of the television seasons, but the movie -- while it does have two commentary tracks and a small set of alternate scenes -- is pretty bare bones. This really should have been a two-disc collection.

The verdict:
Movie itself: Colorful and well animated, firmly rooted in the established show with some good gags, but also plenty of flaws and missed opportunities. 3 out of 5.
DVD presentation: Passable amount and variety of features, but there could have been so much more. Still holding out hope for an extended edition. 3 out of 5.