The Simpsons Movie2.5 stars
Comedy is hard. While something can at least be passed off as drama by simply being tragic or violent, comedy requires an ever changing understanding of the world in which people live. Sure you can go back and read Victorian literature or Shakespearean plays and have a good “lark” or find it very “droll,” but the full effect requires you contextualize it within the age it was written.In 1989, The Simpsons became another example of modern American comedy — they poked fun at the famous, laughed at bureaucratic institutions and fully basked in satire. Even when I saw them in re-runs of The Tracy Ullman show, their original home, more than 15 years ago, I was in love. The timeless town of Springfield never seemed to run low on stories to tell, and set standards that paved the way for King of the Hill, South Park and Family Guy.Until a few years ago, I thought they could do no wrong. Sadly, the last several seasons of the show have seen a deep decline in overall quality. Maybe it’s a changing in the guard of this new millennium, or perhaps a loss in creative vision, or maybe it’s just not funny anymore. But for a comedy — any comedy — to truly matter, it has to constantly challenge itself to change landscape of humor, a single flame in the darkness of often derivative and repetitive TV sitcoms.To my disappointment, “The Simpsons Movie” is not that thing, but barring creative philosophizing, is it funny? Yes, you will laugh. And if you’ve had none of the concerns I’ve had with recent Simpsons seasons, then by all means stop reading this and go see it, I’m probably just some blowhard reviewer anyway.The story (oh no, not that!) follows The Simpson family as they try to stay together in the face of Springfield’s environmental poisoning, Bart feeling Homer loves the family pig more than him, and the EPA trying to close off the town. Containing twists which involve President Schwarzenegger, the state of Alaska and a dark prophecy from possessed Grampa Simpson, the film shows the always clever spirit of the TV series.Though you can expect an appearance of just about every major, and many minor, Simpsons character, it has a surprising lack of cameos aside from Green Day and Tom Hanks. I would have expected that a movie rendition of a show that had everyone from Johnny Cash to Patrick McGoohan to Michael Jackson to Phil Hartman to Sarah Michelle Gellar star on it would have called in all of its favors to match the fictional town’s sizable cast with as many Hollywood faces as they could find. As it stands the film feels about as eventful as an extra-long episode of the series and not quite like a movie venture should.For any concerned that missing out on the previous 18 seasons of the series will detract from your enjoyment, fear not. I spoke to someone after the movie who hadn’t previously seen a great deal of the series, and even with a multitude of in-series references she found the film no less funny.The movie is cute and funny, and you’ll laugh, but in my mind not as much and not as hard as you could have. This film was a chance to try something a little new while still being a big love letter to those who have watched the show all these years, but it chose not to take that opportunity, for whatever reason.And though the show’s name will be echoed alongside such greats as “I Love Lucy,” “All in the Family,” “The Cosby Show,” “SNL,” Seinfeld” and “Friends,” this film isn’t the best example of what made the show truly great. That being said, it is a strong reminder of that quality, and it’ll be up to each fan to decide how strong a reminder that is.
