Writer: James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Al Jean, and More
Director: David Silverman
Cast: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Pamela Hayden, Tress MacNeille, Albert Brooks
Rating: PG-13
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: December 18, 2007
Spiderpig…Spiderpig…
Who could forget those infamous song lyrics by Homer J. himself? The sheer creepiness of Homer walking a pig on his ceiling was intriguing enough to make me want to see the very first movie in the history of the long running The Simpsons television show. I admit, I was puzzled and wanted to know where the heck Homer got Spiderpig and why he was walking him across the Simpsons’ family ceiling. I was looking for something new and fresh in relation to the series, which is now in its 19th season. I was happily surprised by the results of The Simpsons Movie and that is why I am recommending the film to anyone reading this review.
I don’t typically recommend a film so early in a review, but I think it is safe to assume those reading this review will stick around to find out why I found The Simpsons Movie to be so enjoyable. The show needed something fresh and new to keep viewers interested in a show that has been on the air since I was a mere 8 years old (Just for reference, I’m currently 27). That kind of longevity is surprising in any show, let alone one that is animated. The previews for The Simpsons Movie looked interesting, but they really didn’t tell anything about the actual film. I went into this not knowing what to expect or even what the story was about. That being said, I’m glad I now know the power of Spiderpig.
Release Information:
The Simpsons Movie was released in theaters on July 27, 2007. Despite the fact that The Simpsons has aired on television since 1989 and is now in its 19th season, this is the first, full length, animated ‘Simpsons’ movie. There was quite a bit of press on the movie, in hopes of building up anticipation to the release of it, by 20th Century Fox. On December 18, 2007, just in time for Christmas, The Simpsons Movie hit DVD store shelves and now, the DVD can be found at nearly any outlet, online or off.
The Simpsons Movie is available in widescreen, full frame, and Blu-Ray formats. The price for the movie on Amazon will run you $15.99 for the standard widescreen edition, $17.99 for full frames, and $27.95 for the Blu-Ray edition. This review is specifically for the widescreen edition of The Simpsons Movie.
The Simpsons Movie Plot
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you should already know the basics about the Simpsons. Just in case you’ve just discovered the Internet though and have stumbled across this review of The Simpsons Movie, let me tell you the Simpsons are a cartoon family of five, with parents Homer and Marge, and kids, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, who live in the city of Springfield. Homer likes to hang out at Mo’s Tavern and Marge has a big, blue, hair beehive do’ she wears everywhere she goes.
Most people are familiar with all the regular Simpsons characters including Milhouse, Ned Flanders, Mayor Quimby, Mr. Burns, Edna Krabappel, Itchy, Scratchy, Grampa Simpson and even Krusty the Clown. These characters and more of the series regulars are enjoying their last peaceful days in Springfield. When the movie starts, Green Day is hosting a concert, on a barge in Lake Springfield. With such bad pollution in the Lake, the barge is basically destroyed and it is implied, Green Day went down with the barge a la the Titanic musicians. A short time later, the Simpsons have arrived at church though Homer isn’t particularly happy about having to go. After their late arrival (boy do they make an entrance), during the sermon, Grampa Simpson has a vision that something terrible is going to happen. While Homer and Marge roll him out of church in a rug, Homer isn’t convinced of the divine prophecy though Marge believes Grampa is right.
In the meantime, Bart is feeling left out. He sees how much fun other kids have with their dads and he wishes Homer was more affectionate. After a streaking incident that left Bart without pants, until Ned Flanders gives him an extra pair he always brings along, Bart and Homer are at the local fast food restaurant, where Homer saves a pig’s life. Homer has a “new baby” and he can’t wait to take ‘Spiderpig’ home to play and nurture the little porker much to Bart’s chagrin. As the movie progresses, Marge spends her time trying to figure out who is going to set the doomsday events into motion.
Meanwhile, Homer is always playing with Spiderpig. Bart and Ned bond as Ned can see how bad Bart is aching for a father. Maggie is the cute baby she always is and she’s discovered a sinkhole, which Homer hides by covering it with her sandbox. Lisa, on the other hand, has fallen for the new boy in town, a boy who is environmentally friendly and from Ireland, Colin. Together, the two fight to get recognition that Lake Springfield is a toxic waste zone and soon there is a ban on dumping waste into the lake. Of course, Homer comes to the ‘rescue’ when Marge finds out that he’s keeping the droppings from Spiderpig, now named Harry Plopper, in a big metal container in the backyard. Instead of getting rid of the waste the right way, they’re having a special on free donuts after all, he dumps it in the lake, contaminating it beyond repair and sending Springfield into a state of chaos.
The result ends in a Springfield kept hidden by a protective bubble, while the Simpsons move out of the city (to save Homer from a lynch mob) and are on the run as fugitives of the U.S. government. After making it to the promise land, Alaska, they find out the government is planning to turn Springfield into the new Grand Canyon and they’re the only ones who can save the town they once loved and considered their own.
While there are a few clunky jokes, overall The Simpsons Movie shines. Many fans have wondered why it has taken the creators of The Simpsons so long to make a film version of the show. I guess waiting so long really paid off because The Simpsons Movie is fun, laughable, and helps those of us longing for the first few years of the Simpsons, remember why we love the show as much as we do.
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Audio/Visual:
The visual quality for The Simpsons Movie is excellent. There are very minor compression artifacts that might be visible, but I’m looking for them and most people aren’t, so I can’t say they were major enough to affect the film in a significant way because I barely noticed them. The Simpsons Movie was presented at an aspect ratio of 2.40:1 in an anamorphic widescreen format. Colors were vibrant and it was about as clear as you would expect a newly created, animated film to be. I was not disappointed in the quality, but by the same token, I don’t think it will be winning any awards for the visual experience to be had when watching The Simpsons Movie.
The audio was superb with options of 5.1 DTS and 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound in English. Subtitles are also available and optional in English and Spanish. The Simpsons Movie was dubbed in French and Spanish and though I haven’t listened to their quality, I’m assuming they are as decent as the English versions. The bonus of such good sound is that I didn’t have to fiddle with my volume and everything came through loud and clear.
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Audio:
Bonus Features:
There are some bonus features included on The Simpsons Movie DVD, which is always a plus. The first bonus is two different audio commentary options. I recommend listening to the commentary after watching the film first. The first commentary features Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Al Jean, Yeardley Smith, Dan Castellaneta, Mike Scully and David Silverman. Meanwhile, the second commentary features David Silverman, Rich Moore, Steven Dean Moore and Mike Anderson.
I really liked both of the commentaries, but the first one is by far, superior to the second. You will find out some entertaining tidbits about the creation of The Simpsons Movie, with information on scenes that have been deleted and why there were over 150 scripts drafted when the movie was being created.
Other special features included on this excellent DVD are deleted scenes, an ad parody, and the Simpsons’ Special Stuff section with a funny parody of American Idol, where Simon sings and Marge, Lisa, and Homer play the judges (let me just say Lisa plays Paula perfectly) and other appearances of the Simpsons on shows including Jay Leno.
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Bottom Line:
The Simpsons Movie is fun. It’s a light, 87-minute long romp in Simpsons’ nostalgia that will keep you chanting ‘Spiderpig’ all day (and night) long. While I don’t recommend The Simpsons Movie for younger kids, older kids will get a kick out of the storyline and one scene in particular where Bart skateboard’s nude through the town on a dare from Homer. While this wasn’t the best film I’ve seen all year, it certainly wasn’t the worst, and I’m quite happy adding it to my collection for that reason.
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