Do The Simpsons work on the big screen?

The Simpsons Movie - 3.5/5




This currently being the movie of choice for young people in Edinburgh means that I've already seen it more than once in a short space of time, so it's maybe not as fresh with me as it was first time round. On the other hand, not having a TV, I've probably seen less of the TV series than most people, so came to it first time round a bit fresher.

There are two ways of approaching evaluating this - is it any good as a movie? To which the answer is definitely yes - its probably the best animated film of the year so far, maybe not in the defiantly 2D quality of the animation, but in keeping the humour coming. On the other hand, the film itself (rather funnily, as it happens) asks why spend money to go and see something that you can get at home for free. So is the movie different enough from or better than the TV series in order to justify the admission fee? The answer to that one might be a no, but I guess that's for everrybody to work out for themselves.

The plot concerns Homer triggering an environmental disaster, leading to Springfield being sealed in a huge dome and threatened with destruction. Bart starts to feel he would be better off with the Flanders and Homer realises that he has to out others first and save Springfield in order to win his family back. Along the way, Lisa gets a boyfriend and Maggie repeatedly saves the day.

The environmental message is about as subtle as a sledgehammer, but is delivered with a few good gags. Many of the plot elements have been used in TV shows (I mean how many times can Homer learn the same lesson before it sticks?) Of the other characters, only Ned Flanders gets a decent look-in, the rest are limited to blink and you miss them cameos.

And yes, at times, it does feel like a TV show stretched to an hour and a half and there are a few moments when it begins to sag. But, just when it seems to be losing its way they'll come back with another funny bit and off we go again. The secret of a good animated movie (which Shrek the Third forgot, and which Pixar usually nail) is not the quality of the animation, but a good story, character and humour. Of which, this is probably too weak on the story and character to make it a great film, but has enough humour to make it an entertaining watch, which is better than the other animated films have managed this year.

By the way, it's also not a film where you want to leave right at the start of the credits.