15 August 2007

The Simpsons Movie (2007)


The Simpsons may not make a great movie but it makes for great fun.

The TV show is such a phenomenon that while millions of fans were eagerly anticipating enjoying the movie, the critics were sharpening their quills and drooling at the thought of savaging it.

They’ve had to settle for damning it with faint praise. They say it’s just an extended episode of the series. Well, yes. That it’s flat and old-fashioned. Agreed. It’s no Pixar or Aardman animation. That the cultural references will date it. Possibly, although the fact that we all recognise the homage to 50-year-old Disney films rather belies that. That it retains the look of a TV show rather than a movie. To a certain extent.

What the hell. I loved it.

Even though I wanted more Mr Burns and less of the guest villain, more Principal Skinner and less Ned Flanders. And another thing. What happened to the pig?

My favourite visual gag, involves the church and Moe’s Bar next door. When the news is out that everyone is due to die in five minutes, the regulars in each place scurry to change places. (OK, you have to see it).

If you want to feel pleased with yourself, go and see Bergmann and Antonioni. If you want to please yourself, go and see The Simpsons Movie.

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