Enjoyable if you're a fan of the show

Rating: Null/10 (5 August 2007)

It seems late in the day for a Simpsons movie. The show can still be counted on for some hit-or-miss laughs, but obviously it's not as good as it was during its heyday a decade and more ago. The movie is a reflection of the current state of the show. For longtime fans, there's certainly some chuckles to be had. But there's not a lot of belly laughs to be had, and for that I was a bit disappointed, if not surprised.
I found myself smiling nostalgically more than laughing throughout the 90 minute running time. There's some good sight gags and various amusing Homer-related moments. I didn't even mind Groening and Co. taking the family out Springfield. However, the biting satire which separates the Simpsons from the Family Guys of the world is not quite as sharp as I'd like. Again, this sad fact mirrors the Simpsons recent small screen efforts, but I wanted to love this movie and I did not. It's fun, it's enjoyable, its The Simpsons, just don't go expecting "Homer Goes to College"-era hilarity from our favorite cartoon family's first movie.