The Simpsons Movie

Rating: 8/10 (7 August 2007)

South Park did it perfectly, and now finally, after celebrating 20 years (since first seen on The Tracy Ullman Show in 1987) and the 400th episode on TV, the greatest cartoon and sitcom family The Simpsons finally go on the big screen. The story is basically Homer (Dan Castellaneta) polluting Springfield lake with a huge silo of his pet pig's excrement, and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) sealing the town with a large transparent dome, and all town members want to kill the family responsible. Homer and the family manage to escape through the sink hole, and head for Alaska till things cool down, but it only gets worse when the villain, Russ Cargill (Albert Brooks, as A. Brooks), who works for President Schwarzenegger (mocking the actor/politician using the Rainier Wolfcastle character) plans to blow the town. Homer is the one who caused the incident, but he is also the one who saves the day on a motorbike with Bart (Nancy Cartwright). The story sees a couple of returns to past episode plots, including jumping Springfield gorge, Marge (Julie Kavner) revealing a secret wedding video (that she tapes over), and after some comedy hiding (including bubbles, flowers, kids, etc) you finally (and unexpectedly) see what a Simpson penis looks like, Bart's! There are also some small supporting stories among the big one, including Bart seeing Ned Flanders (This Is Spinal Tap's Harry Shearer) as a new father figure, Lisa (Yeardley Smith) falling for Irish boy Colin (Tress MacNeille) who has the same interests and knowledge as her, and many moments with supporting characters. Other characters seen at least once/twice in the whole hour and 20 minutes, some slightly side-lined (and normally bigger) include Abraham "Grampa" Simpson, Patty and Selma, The Flanders: Ned, Rod and Todd, Milhouse Van Houten (Pamela Hayden), Apu, Ralph Wiggum, Chief Clancy Wiggum, Dr. Julius Hibbert, Martin Prince (Russi Taylor), Reverand Lovejoy, Nelson Muntz, Cletus, Mr. Charles Montgomery Burns and Waylon Smithers, Lenny and Carl, Principal Seymour Skinner, Edna Krabappel (Marcia Wallace), Grounsdkeeper Willie, Mayor "Diamond Joe" Quimby, Fat Tony, Comic Book Guy, Sea Captain (MacCallister), Professor Frink, Krusty the Clown, Itchy and Scratchy (in TV cartoon), Kent Brockman, Troy McClure, Moe the bartender, Barney Gumble, Dr. Nick Riviera. Guests include rock band Green Day, Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony and for me an unexpected Tom Hanks. Filled with some great laughs and many lovable characters, this is a fantastic family comedy film, and a treat for fans of the show. The TV series was number 6 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons, it was number 12 on The 100 Greatest Christmas Moments (for all Christmas episodes), it was number 1 on The 100 Greatest TV Characters (for Homer Simpson), it was number 1 on The 100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows, and of course, it was number 1 on The 100 Greatest Cartoons. Very good!