By Kevin McCarthy
It’s perhaps fitting that even reviews of THE SIMPSONS MOVIE are played out. Admittedly, it’s difficult to devise a fresh angle for a movie review when the handful of catch-phrases have been eviscerated by a deluge of reviews more about the longevity of the material than the film itself. After all, as the longest running animated series on television, THE SIMPSONS needs no introduction.
Matt Groening’s cartoon has influenced pop culture for nearly two decades, but his legacy today shows the signs of age. I have to say, I grew up on THE SIMPSONS and I was a huge fan for basically my entire childhood. But when things got stale, I was one of many fans who deserted the show. By the end of the ‘90s, the family that once had personified new-kid FOX’s edgy persona had been outdone by the likes of SOUTH PARK and FAMILY GUY. It’s probably about time Groening hangs up his spurs.
The film opens with a dimly-lit theater filled with Springfield residents. Homer shuffles to his seat amid the jeers of those seated behind him before asking the audience (real and animated) why we have chosen to pay to see something that we could have watched for free on TV. He makes a great point. After 17 years, bringing America’s favorite family to the silver screen was a surprise. Sure, there was a market for it, but shouldn’t theatrical adaptations have a purpose?
THE X FILES MOVIE was built into the plot of the series. We’re promised the same of the 24 movie. After this 87-minute episode had concluded, I was still left asking “Why now?” The truth is there’s nothing about THE SIMPSONS MOVIE that justifies the format. It’s a shame because I know the creators — all of whom signed on for the picture — are capable of greatness. What we get is a film on par with any three episodes of the show. This isn’t exactly a bad thing, for sure, but given the potential for the resuscitation of a dying show, I couldn’t help but be disappointed. I’m sure THE SIMPSONS MOVIE will make good numbers at the box office, and I’ll be glad that it does, but you won’t be missing out if you choose to wait for this one to hit DVD.
The PG-13 rating was license to add depth to the musty residents of Springfield. Here was a chance to hearken back to the outrageous spirit that made the first few seasons so entertaining. Unfortunately, the guys behind THE SIMPSONS MOVIE barely earned their PG-13 rating with a few adult gags (Otto the busdriver hits a bong, for instance) and the
much-promoted reveal of Bart Simpson’s junk. Somehow a ten-year-old’s twig and berries was all the marketing machine could churn out for this movie. I guess that makes sense when the film’s symbol is a pink donut, an image only tangentially related to any aspect of plot or the series in general. The plot, which I’ve purposefully avoided discussing until now, is typical in that one seemingly unrelated event in the first act leads to a climax that’s usually tempered by a moment of Simpson family togetherness. Those moments, however similar to countless others over the years, will probably be the highlights for long-time fans and new-comers alike. I just wish the rest of the film had aspired to seize the moment as well.
If you’re in the mood for 90 uninterrupted minutes of THE SIMPSONS, there’s really no argument against getting it here. I’d just recommend that you wait to enjoy it on your home theater, where Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie are most at home. THE SIMPSONS MOVIE made me sad that I had given up on the series. It should have made me regret it.