A Very Good 90 Min Episode, True to the Series (For Both Better and Worse).

Rating: 7/10 (4 October 2007)

The Simpson Movie has most of the great qualities of the TV series - pointed iconoclastic social satire (digs at religion, bureaucracy, crass materialism), clever slapstick humor, dialog that is both intelligent and intelligently stupid, and great visual gags (esp in the first 15 minutes). Much of the humor references some of the best specific scenes from various episodes (probably only long-time fans will understand these jokes).
'The Simpsons Movie' is basically a very good (not great) episode extended to 90 min - that's both reassuring and a slightly disappointing: Reassuring because it reaffirms the seemingly infinite versatility and mutability of the show's formula, but also a little disappointing because the writers/producers/etc don't take as many chances with the formula as I would've liked. I was hoping for something that would transcend the TV show the way 'South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut', took that that show's bawdy, offensive humor to new levels, then transformed it into a statement (and big middle-finger) at the MPA for it's misguided priorities and hypocrisy. The Simpson Movie never goes much farther than the TV show; the PG-13 rating does enable the writers to be a little more naughty with some of the jokes, but not in a way that enhances the TV show's insight, irreverence, or overall effectiveness.
As an ardent fan maybe I'm being too hard on the film and expecting too much. The series has been on so long and lampooned virtually every aspect of U.S. culture (and numerous others), maybe there just isn't anywhere left for the creative team to go they haven't at least touched on already. Taken as it is The Simpson movie is an intelligently written, visually clever satire. And even if it's not as potent as the best episodes it's still entertaining and mostly satisfying for both casual and avid fans.