Posted July 25, 2007 Empire Review Even in a mediocre episode of The Simpsons there is one great gag. Back in the classic era, the first ten seasons, say, they created jokes for the ages; comic writing with the kind of snap and sizzle of Woody Allen in the ‘60s or Neil Simon or Mel Brooks (all of whom have been satirised in yolk yellow). Beyond that, Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and the other one have warmly redefined our concept of the American family. It takes genius to do dumb so well. After 18 years of such consistency surely the next move for the Day-Glo dysfunctions of Homer and co. was a movie… Surely. The Simpsons Movie has been ten yeas in the making. During this tricky decade, the one factor the crew of eleven writers (their finest) had trouble settling on is how a movie version of the half-hour Springfield spins would be different. After all, why buy a ticket for something you get ad infinitum on the box? Eighty minutes after Itchy nukes Scratchy on the moon (the literal opening salvo) you realise that the problem may have defeated them. The Movie is no more than a mediocre episode stretched like taffy till it splits. And there’s not one truly great gag to speak of. How did something so light and confident become so lumbering and unsure of itself? Everyone is trying too hard and getting nowhere. Lamed, as the later episodes have been, by an overt political agenda, the film so bangs the drum for Al Gore’s eco-message it borders on polemic. Saving the planet may be vital, but not at the expense of Homer’s sublime buffoonery please. The series is at its best when satirising the intricacies of ordinary life — aim smaller, hit bigger. With more time on their hands, everything seems to work against itself. There are odd pauses, mistimed punchlines — the lovely jazzy rhythms of the old episodes becoming stilted and soggy. Worse still, the characters are shadows of their old yellow selves. Homer, by necessity the brainless centre of the story, never properly reaches his true absurdist extremes. Bart is entirely lost, his storyline — weary of Homer’s shortcomings, he’s enticed to join the Flanders — neutering the arch prankster. Bart needy? Come on. Meanwhile Lisa falls in love (not explored), Marge despairs of her husband (Zzzz…) and Maggie… Actually, Maggie keeps her end of the deal. No one, excepting the title family, gets much of a look in, and the paltry attempts to notch them up are less cameos than momentary blips. In what sane universe does a Simpson movie give Mr. Burns merely two scenes? There is also the stunning fact that, between eleven of surely the funniest writers in America, no one could come up with a good story. Springfield sealed in a dome is about it, but even then nothing is made of the town’s collapse into anarchy, while in not-breaking-news-at-all, Homer has to learn to appreciate his family. Again. It is a depressing experience to rain on this particularly beloved parade. So massive is the series achievement, it’s like punching a best friend in the mush. In pop cultural terms Groening and team are artists, the animation equivalent of Martin Scorsese — imagine the likes of him delivering something so bereft of inspiration. You chuckle here and there, you enjoy the animation (given a bit more pep and computery dimension for the big screen), but the moment it takes off never comes. This is not the worst film of the summer, just the biggest waste. Then, perhaps that is the problem. The Simpsons never needed to be a movie. Verdict The Simpsons Movie is like the mad moment in 1985 when Coca Cola decided to revamp their tried and tested beverage into New Coke. Take something everyone loves, and make it fizzier and sweeter, with a curious new tang. It utterly failed. The message is just as clear with Simpsonian antics — if it ain’t broke, don’t make a movie… 2/5 _____________________________-- Sounds shit Mr. Burns for 2 scenes? I will be seeing Transformers instead. Why let 1 review put you off? There have been many excellent reviews, Thats actually the first negative review I've read. I'm going to see both of the movies, because they both looks awesome. Transformers got quite a few negative reviews btw, even though most the people that go see it says its awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 25, 2007 Because that 1 review confirms all of my fears for the movie and the other positive reviews, do not really give me the impression it will be the type of simpsons I love. Transformers was always going to get mixed reviews, its a Michael Bay film after all. Meh, I suppose, But still you should go see it, you never know. Transformers also looks bluddy awesome, I can't wait for friday, I'm seeing the simpsons movie and then transformers together. I never go with what many critics say, even if they says its bad, I'd rather have my own opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 25, 2007 I forgot to add this, when we booked our tickets we got premium seats and when we went into the cinema we were all shouting..... PREMIUM DUDE! PREMIUM.............DUDE! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 25, 2007 Obviously I want my own opinion, but I need to save money as it is and wasting a tenner on 90 minutes of crappy new-age simpsons, would leave me feeling very sour. Thats why the Empire review has left me a bit unsure I suppose yeh, but listening to people on here that have seen it, they all seem to think it was awesome. I'd much rather take the opinion of the average person than 1 critic. But I see what you mean. Ahwell, hope you enjoy transformers anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 25, 2007 One word of advice to hobbzinio - Trandformers has too much product placement. Whilst this is the first bad review I have seen for the simpsons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 25, 2007 That only matters though if product placement bothers you. Ive seen Transformers, loved it and wasnt bothered one bit by seeing real products being used. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 25, 2007 I saw the premiumseats and saw you got a headrest ( the only thing) lots of laughs this lunchtime but felt more like an episode Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 25, 2007 The Simpsons Movie was funny, A Welcome return of humour to a over done show. 8/10 Good Movie, Good Return of humour, Some major LOL moments. I liked it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 25, 2007 Agree with the Empire review 100%. Seemed like one, long, stretched episode, and a poor one at that. Already gave my views on the "Rate the last film you saw" thread... No stand out moments at all. No lol moments at all. Just small chuckles here and there. Very disappointed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 25, 2007 Just got back from seeing it. Was good. Very funny in places. The only thing I think let it down was not enough interaction from other characters. But all in all I really enjoyed it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 25, 2007 Just got back from seeing it too. I thought it was pretty good, old simpsons style humour, and some nice references to past seasons. It's not outstanding, just like a good episode extended a bit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 27, 2007 I saw it last night and was surprised how much I enjoyed it. Not as good as the older episodes, but definitely better than anything they've made since season 9. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 27, 2007 i want see it, but but not very badly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 27, 2007 Its a good movie to watch if you have the money, Yes it is essentially just a 90 minute long episode, but it's a good one at that. Spider Pig! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 27, 2007 To those who saw it, was Apu in it much? He's always been my favourite character! One of my fav Apu lines: -You can really taste the chutney! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 27, 2007 To those who saw it, was Apu in it much? He's always been my favourite character! One of my fav Apu lines: -You can really taste the chutney! Not at all come to think of it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 27, 2007 Not at all come to think of it I saw him in the trailer talking to Mr Burns in his mansion Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 27, 2007 Hardly any Mr Burns or Apu??? Hardly none at all Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 27, 2007 THE GREEN BUTTON SUPPLIES YOUR TOWN WITH ELECTRICTY AND THE RED BUTTON RELEASES THE HOUNDS. i love smithers face when apu says look into your heart classic Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 27, 2007 Hardly any Mr Burns or Apu??? Yeah, the scene from the trailer is the only one with those two in I think. Needs more Moleman too. Not a single speaking line. That would be the film's main fault, too focused on the main family. Not enough character diversity. A small fault however, but if you are gay for Moleman you won't get your needs here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 27, 2007 Just saw this. Wasn't bad but there are more gags in a old 23 min episode than in 87 mins of this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 27, 2007 It's ok isn't it. Just saw it. Not bad but feels very much like a long episode. It's nowhere near the quality of the south park movie for instance which actually felt like a proper movie. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 28, 2007 Really good film, saw it last night. I was loling all the way through. The Spidey-pig bit was great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted July 28, 2007 I thought it was great. Sw it yesterday before I saw transformers. I loved the spider pig bits, and the ending was brilliant. The bit where the pig does the impression of marge got a mass of laughter in the theatre that didn't stop for about 5 or 6 minutes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
