At worse, this movie is a 90-minute episode with the A Story going to Homer, the B to Bart, C to Marge, D to Lisa and the rest of Springfield receiving the E but it all ties together from beginning to end. What separates this from television are the details and execution; according to a recent interview with Al Jean (the current show runner), the writing team worked on the script for four years and revised the film up to one month before its release. If it were any other movie needing this much tinkering, I would take it as a bad omen. Throughout its history, The Simpsons has had last-minute changes on episodes prior to broadcast so my confidence was secure in the movie’s cohesiveness.
I won’t spoil it so here’s the general plot: Lake Springfield has become very toxic and it’s on the verge of becoming a national emergency. Obviously, Homer does something to bring on the disaster. Then the EPA, led by Secretary Cargill (Albert Brooks), isolates Springfield from the rest of the world to contain the pollution. The other lesser stories I mentioned earlier tie in quickly. It all ends predictably yet the animation, voices, jokes and surprises are what make this movie successful and not one last hurrah for an aging franchise. Matt Groening and James Brooks already became rich, they can afford to be particular when their names are attached to this flick.
What does the movie do differently than the TV show which can be seen for free? Unlike other animated features I’ve seen over the years, this one fills up the screen in the Scope format instead of Flat—Scope is used with big action movies such as Star Wars, Disney cartoons and comedies are in Flat, making them closer to TV’s presentation. There are jokes (visual and verbal) you’d never see on Fox despite how much the network has lowered the standard. But they’re not F-word laced toilet gags which South Park went wild with. They’re jokes the Fox censors wouldn’t allow on TV while they’re appropriate for a PG-13 movie. My only disappointment was the lack of guest voices. I was hoping they’d pull out all the stops in the celebrity department. Then again, it would’ve cheapened the story.
Is it funny though? Hell yes. I actually laughed a few times and I rarely do at movies because most of them aren’t funny. To be fair, I still laugh at the TV show since I am not in the “oh it was so much funnier back then” camp. These critics are full of crap and they tend to discredit themselves by applying the same argument with SNL and Seinfeld. The former show has always been inconsistent regardless of the cast. Anyway, those real-life versions of Comic Book Guy will find fault with the movie no matter what.
Worth Seeing? YES! (in Homer’s voice) If you live in Austin or any other city with an Alamo Drafthouse, you must see it soon to enjoy the modified menu they’re offering. I recommend the Double Bacon Krustyburger with cheese and a Buzz Cola. It’s a must see for fans of all stripes, including the jaded ones.