I’ve been watching The Simpsons since the very beginning. I realize that The Simpsons have been on for so long that there are some readers of this site that can’t say that. I think that’s amazing. I love The Simpsons. So, going into this movie, I had a hard time figuring out why I was seeing this. I mean…why make this movie now. Why not wait until the show is over?
I don’t know. After seeing it…I still don’t know. There was nothing about the plot or story that was particularly “epic” in my view…nothing to really make it stand out as “this was the one that HAD to be a movie”.
Having said that…I laughed my ass off.
The actual plot of this movie, to me anyway, was disappointing, but it really didn’t matter. What makes this movie worth watching are the jokes. The funny thing is, everytime the plot shows up, it just sort of gets in the way of the funny stuff. For the first 15 minutes or so, the movie is just one laugh after another, and the audience I was with was really making it known that they thought it was funny. So much so, that I was reminded of why I hate going to the theater these days.
All of the sudden, the plot kicks in, and the theater goes silent for about 10 minutes. I don’t remember every noticing that in a theater before, but I did today.
The animation is kicked up a notch, but it’s done so with the use of 2-D, 3-D. It actually made me think about Futurama everytime I saw a vehicle that was obviously a 3-D model that was animated. I find that sort of thing distracting, and I didn’t really care for that aspect of things.
They definitely do some things in this movie that they would never get away with on television (including language and nudity), but I was really surprised how bloodless the Itchy and Scratchy cartoon was. You gotta love those censors.
It should also be noted that the film focuses heavily on The Simpson Family, a new villain, and little else. We see lots of our favorite characters, but they are mostly reduced to funny one liners, with no focus on any of them. Even Mr. Burns is only in the “release the hounds” scene from the trailer.
All in all, I am left conflicted about The Simpsons Movie. I enjoyed it. I went. I saw. I laughed. At the same time, however, the cost of the three tickets I purchased tonight was $17 (that’s with two student discounts for those that accompanied me), and for $5 bucks more I could have purchased a whole season of the show on DVD.
The film opens with Homer telling us we’re all getting screwed by paying to see this movie. I still haven’t figured out if he was right or not.
Grade: B+
[...] another look at the movie, check out Michael’s review at our sibling site Forever Geek. July 27, 2007 Posted by DrSpengler as Animation, Kids/Family, Comedy, Reviews at 10:58 [...]
I saw the movie tonight. I think that it had its humorous parts, however years of a.d.d. ridden films and Family Guy has made sitting for an hour and a half in a theater watching a poorly conceived plot a chore. I mean, seriously I would have thought that the writers wouldn’t have followed the same cheesy plot devices that haunt every movie adaptation of a tv show and would have gone with something that fit the show better. For me, the laughs grew fewer and longer. By the end, the funniest joke was the moron sitting next to me who insisted on providing a laugh track for every joke. The movie was very tame and the only time they really cursed (the scene with Marge) was awkward and forced for the character. I would consider myself to be a huge Simpsons fan, but I would give it a C: rent it and maybe you’ll forget it’s just a longer episode.
Sounds like it was just like I figured it would be. Which is a shame.
Sounds to me like its very similar to the TV show except with more emphasis on the Simpson family. At any rate, I’m still looking forward to seeing it, and for all the pleasure I got out of the show as a kid, the least I can do is spring for a couple tickets!
I would tend to agree with you on your review of the movie. Although I love the Simpsons, I don’t think there was enough there to warrant a movie. Laughed through the whole thing, but was left a little wanting when it was all done.
Is the simpsons appropiate for 9 year olds?????????????
@Michael
Only if you’re cool with them seeing some animated male genitalia.
the simpson move is funny but are 8 year olds are spostta be able to watch it?????????????????????????????
i think the simpson mivie is great and it probaly took a long time to make is that wi hy it only came out july the 26 my best frinds sisters birthday
why did you chose a pig in sted of a horse of something that lisa or bart wolould have to them self????
have you made a clay anamation???
but the simpsons movie was one of the best movie that i have ever seen !!!!!!!
i didn’t like the movie that much becase it is ru7de in some parts
i didn’t like the movie that much becase it is ru
de in some parts
cool; movie in some parts