“The Simpsons” have for years been a social staple in mocking everything remotely backwards with society for nearly two decades. For years we’ve seen this family and its seemingly unlimited amount of characters get involved in the most absurd situations that, fittingly, mock the absurdity of reality. It’s funny how the episodes work; we know the gags, we know the characters and we know how the Simpsons’ universe operates. So what more could be done in a movie based on an 18 year old franchise?
The answer is nothing but a nonstop homage of what made it so good to begin with. It’s all there: The classics gags, the ridiculous situations, the mockery of current events, the government and even the people sitting in the theater watching. The movie doesn’t pretend to be something new and fresh. We are all well aware that this is a very old franchise and it uses its age as an advantage. We don’t need much of an introduction so we’re not given much of one. We’re launched right in to the world of The Simpsons and asked to do nothing more but sit and enjoy.
The movie is formulated much like an episode in the series. There is a problem that comes up and we think it’ll revolve around that, but as it turns out it was nothing more than a catalyst for a bigger storyline. Springfield faces a pollution problem and quickly act to fix it. Homer, however, ruins that (in classic Homer Simpson fashion) and the government decides to put a glass dome over Springfield. The dome traps both the people and the pollution beneath it and Homer and his family find a way out to live their lives alone. His family of course feel an obligation to Springfield, so when they leave it comes down to Homer trying to save his home town.
In the midst of this ridiculous storyline we find Lisa with a new love interest, Bart discovering what it’s like to have a loving Dad and Marge’s relationship with Homer is challenged. The movie mostly revolves around the family, but there are some hysterical cameos from some classic Simpsons characters. It’s really surprising how much character attention went to each family member though. In that funny way the Simpsons develop, the characters grow and learn something new—Even if it’s for the wrong reasons or a lesson they could have done without.
Often it’s easy for a movie like this to be nothing but an extended episode, but it really did feel like a movie. It was epic and brought the characters to such a large scope that I completely bought how this made it to theaters. Even the animation looked better in terms of quality—Not that it’s saying much, but it did look pretty good.
Meanwhile the jokes and gags this movie pulled are ones we’ve seen before. They come at the audience like rapid fire and the content within each one is so good it’s hard not to laugh nonstop. It is consistently funny and it just doesn’t let up. The creators really pulled out all the stops for this thing and if this were the end for The Simpsons it would be a great way to go out.
On the other hand I can see some fans thinking the opposite. The movie’s greatest strengths are potentially its greatest weaknesses as well. Maybe the fact it doesn’t bring much new material to the table will deter audiences. Perhaps some expected more. Because of the classic comedic moments in this movie, it may not hold up to repeated viewing. Besides, how is everyone going to be pleased with a movie based on a franchise this old?
In any case, “The Simpsons Movie” is worth the viewing, the repeated viewing, if you like, and the headache you may get from laughing so hard. With a franchise like this, sitting back and enjoying the mayhem is the best way to enjoy it. A hysterical classic.
*** out of ****
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