Decent nothing more

Rating: Null/10 (25 July 2007)

After 18 long years, the greatest comedy masterpiece of all time has finally hit the big screen and the hopes and expectations of the true Simpsons fans couldn't be higher. But does this movie deliver? Yes and no really.
It is hard to describe the plot of this movie as the writers have used the four main characters Homer, Marge, Lisa and Bart and then added a supporting plot to each one. So you can get to see your favourite Simpson's characters dealing with different situations which are all related to the main story. But the only character which delivers the best moments in the film is naturally Homer. Who else? In the film Bart starts to look at Ned as a farther figure after he is neglected by Homer after he didn't take the wrap for Bart causing anarchy in his naked skateboard stunt. This storyline has its moments but feels slightly contrived because after all Homer and Bart have a love hate relationship and after 18 years he finally feels that Flanders is a more suitable Dad? Hmm.
But as the trailer states you get to "see Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart and Maggie and a cast of hundreds". Well you get to see the other characters and I know this is the "Simpsons Movie" but I feel that there are some excellent (no pun intended) back up characters in the Simpsons and several situations in the movie when they could have been used more were squandered. For example Mr Burns who was superb in the short instance when he was in the film was wasted really. Considering he is such a power craving and evil man, I think he would have been slightly more ruthless if he found out that someone with more authority had thought of a scheme to block all townspeople from leaving the town. Maybe I am getting a head of myself here though.
The main man behind all this chaos in Springfield is President Schwarzenegger, which I found to be an excellent idea for a satirical character by the writing staff of this movie. "I was elected to lead not to read" got the best laugh out of me during the 87 minutes of the movie.
But to be honest most of the jokes in this movie, I wouldn't describe as hysterical. I found myself smirking more than laughing out loud. Personally I have been a fan of the show for 18 years, and I even watch the new episodes every week which are mixed bag but I do get a kick out of some of the newer ones. The Simpsons movie will not appeal to doubters and/or ex-fans who do not currently like the newer episodes. But I still felt like this movie was worth watching and a slightly enjoyable way to pass time.
It just could have pushed a bit more boundaries and made the most out of some the ideas which were there. So overall The Simpsons Movie was decent but hardly the best moment of the shows history.