Cool Simpsons Universe Takes Movies in its Stride

Rating: 8/10 (15 July 2011)

With "The Simpsons", we don't have just a mere earthly empire, we have a universe. "The Simpsons" reputation for raucous, insouciant, yet human and insightful social commentary has been indelibly established. Only a global criminal scandal along the lines of Rupert Murdock's "News of the World", or a catastrophic flop could annihilate this universe. Therefore, I don't think there was excessive "flop" sweat and pressure among the "The Simpsons Movie" (hereafter TSM) animators, writers, producers, and directors to generate a flawless movie. Oh, I'm sure they cared enough to generate at least a respectable movie. But they also weren't primed to jump off any skyscrapers if TSM didn't win any Academy Awards. The Simpsons universe is cool - almost Bugs Bunny cool. But it also isn't afraid to make fun of itself as well as everything else (hence the "Itchy and Scratchy" cartoon and Homer's subsequent dismissal of people watching something they can get for free). The Simpsons Universe survives because it does not take itself TOO seriously -- just seriously enough.
Now, did the "TSM" creators manage to make a cool, respectable movie? I think they did, and rather more than respectable. Is TSM essentially any extended "Simpsons" TV episode? I think so. But that's good, because I have always considered even the most mediocre "Simpsons" episodes (at least the ones I've seen) to be above-average mini-cinematic events, densely packed with detailed characters and story lines. TSM merely allows more time and breathing room to present its variation of "Homer screws up, then has to save the day". It would be redundant to spell out the plot here. Other posters have already done that. Suffice it to say that a lot of the trademark "Simpsons" TV characteristics appear in the movie.
For example, we have the way a "Simpsons" plot never directly emerges, but has to be backed into. How can you predict that Homer's adoption of a pig initially destined for Krusty Burger slaughter would set in motion an environmental disaster, a federal quarantine, and even imminent destruction? As a second example, we witness the impulsive behavior of a 239-pound id as Homer bonds with a pig, dumps pig feces into Springfield lake even after it's protected from pollution, and prompts the whole town to exile him and his family as a result. As a third example, we see the deeply buried but true affection the Simpson family members have for each other, even at their worst and most despairing. In Alaska, Marge takes the kids and leaves Homer, perhaps permanently, unless he learns to care for others.
Within the confines of a movie, even the Simpsons universe can't give you everything. It can't showcase every Springfield citizen in detail for example (you'll have to wait for sequels). The movie was correct to focus on the Simpson family itself and their individual problems, to remind both Simpson fans and newcomers of the real reason why many people adore these crazy people. It goes beyond the jokes, the satire, and the pratfalls (and TSM has more than its share). Again, even when things seem lost, the Simpsons (especially Homer) pull together and acquit themselves well. And they're so cool when they do! TSM does not break new ground, or try to be profound. It would have been terribly wrong to do so. TSM had two simultaneous, interconnected goals: 1) preserve the "Simpsons" mythos for true believers and 2) explain to newcomers why the "Simpsons" are so wonderfully enduring. I think it succeeds on both accounts. TSM did what it had to do. And that's just fine!