Very funny -- what more could you want?

Rating: 7/10 (5 September 2009)

I'd always like The Simpsons, but when I saw this movie I hadn't had a chance to catch the TV series in some time. When I do catch it, I rarely know how old a rerun I am seeing, so I was not up on the supposed steep decline in quality that the show has taken in the past few years.
There a lot of ways it would be possible to criticise The Simpsons Movie: maybe there isn't enough plot for a full film, what there is is wildly outlandish, subplots are abandoned, it doesn't distinguish itself enough from a long episode of the TV series, or its message seems kind of mixed-up. However, it redeems itself in the best way a comedy film can: by being very funny all the way through. The characters of The Simpsons remain true to their TV selves, there's a constant supply of good jokes (some of which had me laughing obnoxiously loudly), and there's even a kind of character arc. I wouldn't dare ask for more.
I do wonder whether Dr Nick stays dead in future TV episodes.