Spring Break
Homer and Co. still funny on big screen
By: Eamon R. McIvor
Issue date: 8/10/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Originally published: 8/10/07 at 3:20 AM EST
Last update: 8/10/07 at 3:19 AM EST
Originally published: 8/10/07 at 3:20 AM EST
Last update: 8/10/07 at 3:19 AM EST
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"Worst. TV-to-film adaptation ever!" could have been the cry of basement-dwelling Simpsons fanboys across the nation. When Matt Groening and co. officially announced this movie about a year ago, the odds were stacked against them.
The show reached its creative peak in the late '90s; many hardcore fans wrote it off soon after, and, seriously, what fresh story could the writers possibly come up with after treading this comedic terrain for 18 years? Fortunately, they knew they couldn't bring anything less than their A-game, and I'm pleased to report they rose to the challenge. I don't think even Comic Book Guy could argue with the results. The Simpsons Movie is fresh, funny and exciting.
The plot, a closely guarded secret during the film's production, is nothing groundbreaking, but big and exciting enough to justify the leap to feature length. The long-suffering Lake Springfield is finally pushed to its breaking point when Homer dumps a silo full of pig crap into it. Springfield's toxic levels skyrocket, and Russ Cargill, head of the Environmental Protection Agency (an excellent Albert Brooks), responds by placing a giant dome over the town. Well-orchestrated wackiness ensues.
The internal strife between the family members revisits familiar themes (Marge's love for Homer called into question, neglected Bart seeks a father figure, Lisa's dire environmental warnings are scoffed at), but never feels labored or forced. The writing is as sharp and witty as it was in the golden years, which it damn well should be, seeing as 11 veteran writers were brought in to make this flick worth the ever-increasing price of admission. The animation is turned all the way up to 11, and it's great to finally see a world populated by ugly yellow people with overbites projected onto a gigantic screen.
In an era where 2-plus hour running times have become standard for blockbusters, I found the film's hour-and-a-half length refreshing. As fun as pirates, robots, and boy wizards can be, they're developing a tendency to overstay their welcome. Of course, this means the show's beloved cast of thousands takes the back seat for most of the picture. The film focuses, as it should, on the Simpson clan, but I wouldn't have minded ten extra minutes of my favorite supporting characters doing their shtick. One of my personal favorites, Principal Skinner, doesn't get more than a line, and Mr. Burns' best bit was in the trailer. Oh, well, at least Ralph got two lines.
There are only a handful of new characters introduced, but they're all worthy additions to this universe. The breakout character isn't even human - it's Homer's new pet pig, alternately referred to as Spider-Pig and Harry Plopper, who elicits a laugh every time he appears onscreen.
In short, the movie brings the Simpsons out of the creative rut they've been in for the better part of a decade, and proves America's favorite TV family can bring it to the big screen as well. And, yes, the movie has what we've all been patiently waiting for: nudity. Full-frontal nudity. Full-frontal Bart Simpson nudity.
The show reached its creative peak in the late '90s; many hardcore fans wrote it off soon after, and, seriously, what fresh story could the writers possibly come up with after treading this comedic terrain for 18 years? Fortunately, they knew they couldn't bring anything less than their A-game, and I'm pleased to report they rose to the challenge. I don't think even Comic Book Guy could argue with the results. The Simpsons Movie is fresh, funny and exciting.
The plot, a closely guarded secret during the film's production, is nothing groundbreaking, but big and exciting enough to justify the leap to feature length. The long-suffering Lake Springfield is finally pushed to its breaking point when Homer dumps a silo full of pig crap into it. Springfield's toxic levels skyrocket, and Russ Cargill, head of the Environmental Protection Agency (an excellent Albert Brooks), responds by placing a giant dome over the town. Well-orchestrated wackiness ensues.
The internal strife between the family members revisits familiar themes (Marge's love for Homer called into question, neglected Bart seeks a father figure, Lisa's dire environmental warnings are scoffed at), but never feels labored or forced. The writing is as sharp and witty as it was in the golden years, which it damn well should be, seeing as 11 veteran writers were brought in to make this flick worth the ever-increasing price of admission. The animation is turned all the way up to 11, and it's great to finally see a world populated by ugly yellow people with overbites projected onto a gigantic screen.
In an era where 2-plus hour running times have become standard for blockbusters, I found the film's hour-and-a-half length refreshing. As fun as pirates, robots, and boy wizards can be, they're developing a tendency to overstay their welcome. Of course, this means the show's beloved cast of thousands takes the back seat for most of the picture. The film focuses, as it should, on the Simpson clan, but I wouldn't have minded ten extra minutes of my favorite supporting characters doing their shtick. One of my personal favorites, Principal Skinner, doesn't get more than a line, and Mr. Burns' best bit was in the trailer. Oh, well, at least Ralph got two lines.
There are only a handful of new characters introduced, but they're all worthy additions to this universe. The breakout character isn't even human - it's Homer's new pet pig, alternately referred to as Spider-Pig and Harry Plopper, who elicits a laugh every time he appears onscreen.
In short, the movie brings the Simpsons out of the creative rut they've been in for the better part of a decade, and proves America's favorite TV family can bring it to the big screen as well. And, yes, the movie has what we've all been patiently waiting for: nudity. Full-frontal nudity. Full-frontal Bart Simpson nudity.
