The Simpsons Movie (David Silverman, 2007) Review

Ah yes, The Simpsons. One of the most iconic television shows of all time that left a great mark on comedy forever. It was a great show and I will miss it...what...IT'S STILL ON?! Oh good god...still...it WAS a great show. Naturally when you get a hit TV show, it's only right to get a movie down the line whether it's straight to DVD, on TV or even released in cinemas. The Simpsons went with the latter, The Simpsons Movie gained one hell of a hype towards and the day came, the day it was released in the cinemas. Was it worth it or does it sink into the modern Simpsons sink-hole (heh, see what I did there?) of mediocrity. Let's take a look.

After Green Day drown in the incredibly polluted Lake Springfield, Lisa Simpson (Yeardley Smith) tries to persuade the town of Springfield to clean up their act and stop dumping rubbish in the lake. Amazingly, they do! That is, until Homer (Dan Castellaneta) dumps a silo full of pig crap (it makes sense in context) into the lake. Having seen the increased pollution rate, the head of the EPA, Russ Cargill (Albert Brooks), manages to conceal Springfield within a giant dome so the pollution can't spread. The citizens of Springfield manages to chase Homer, Bart (Nancy Cartwright), Marge (Julie Kavner), Lisa and Maggie (I have no idea..I would assume Nancy Cartwright again) out of town. Now the Simpsons family have to stop Cargill and save Springfield.

You can obviously assume the best part of this movie is the humour. Of course it is: IT'S THE SIMPSONS! Well, The Simpsons prior to season 20...yes 20 (trust me, they're well beyond that now). This is one of the most quotable movies in a long time, just like the show. While it does focus on the Simpsons family themselves, other Simpsons characters get some funny moments in and even the guest stars are funny. Albert Brooks has appeared in The Simpsons many, many times but here, he's at this second best (Hank Scorpio was his best). Green Day make a hilarious cameo as well as other cameos such as Joe Mantagna reprising his role as Fat Tony on the show. There are points where it feels the humour is forced but it doesn't break up the rest of the humour too much.

I fell as though this movie is the point where The Simpsons declined...heavily. The Simpsons Movie isn't the best movie nor is it the funniest but that's a tough thing to do with a film, especially based on the source material. The best of The Simpsons is long behind them and basing a film on a show that lost it's touch by this point was a risk. It would either be a success or a failure...it was the former. Critically though, it was from average to great. Personally I think it could've been worse but then again, it could've been better...much better.

The Simpsons Movie was a gamble but it certainly paid off. While it may be dodgy at times, it is very entertaining and really, that's all I want from The Simpsons. If you're a fan...you should have watched this by now. If you haven't seen it, you should. It isn't perfect and by no means is it the best film ever but it's not bad. It looks fantastic and it wait for it certainly paid off.  

Verdict:
7.5/10
With the best of The Simpsons behind it, this movie still holds up and is worth a look.