As Funny As TV And Without Restrictions
The Simpsons Movie
Cast: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Harry Shearer, Hank Azaria, Albert Brooks, Tom Hanks, Joe Mantegna
Director: David Silverman
Screenplay by: James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and other writers from The Simpsons
Movie Help Web Popcorn Kernels: 
Television's best written sitcom of the last generation finally made it to the movies in the same form it conquered the small screen — as a cartoon.
No flashy CGI or mix of animation and live action for The Simpsons of Springfield, Somewhere. Viewers instead are treated to a big screen rendering of their favorite dysfunctional family. The show's continuing dominance on television is underscored early when Homer Simpson wails that people who pay to watch a movie about a television show are not too bright. He then shatters the fourth wall by facing front and pointing at the audience that catapulted the film to more than $100 million in revenues in just two weeks.
It's Like The Show, But Better
Rich comedy writing and an ear for pop culture dialogue has kept The Simpsons fresh for years. How fresh? Freshmen entering college the year the movie debuts in 2007 have never lived in a world where The Simpsons was not a prime time show on Fox's television network.
The long-awaited movie keeps things relatively safe for the kids although there is a brief glimpse of full frontal nudity from Bart, and Marge does use a religious epithet. As fans and viewers have come to expect from the series, however, both occur with the most exquisite of timing. The writing is that good.
The characters are spot-on perfect, delivering lines and moving the plot in the same efficient way the television show does. All of the show's voice actors are present in the movie, keeping smooth continuity from show to film.
There are also the now de rigueur guest appearances. These are usually funny on the show and are just as humorous in the movie.
Tom Hanks, unquestionably the leading man of his generation, appears in a hilarious spoof commercial while Green Day does justice to Danny Elfman's familiar theme. As the band suffers a watery catastrophe, they stow their instruments and whip out violins to play Nearer My God To Thee as legend holds the Titanic's band did.
There is also a terrific role voiced by comedian Albert Brooks, who is no relation to Simpsons mastermind (and Academy Award fave) James L. Brooks. Albert has appeared in multiple Simpsons episodes on television and was a natural to play a businessperson-turned-EPA-head Russ Cargill.
Wait. Isn't Cargill A Real Company's Name? And A Spoiler
In the most delicious of ironies that Simpsons creator Matt Groening could never have imagined, the privately held Cargill was sued by the Environmental Protection Agency three days after the movie opened for allegedly dumping toxic chemicals in Nebraska. Little exists to explain why Groening took a shot at the famous company's name in what seemed to be a Dick Cheney-like character. No one named Cargill serves as an executive at the company, but the choice still apparently has more behind it than coincidence.
The spoiler?
The Simpsons Movie's main plot deals with a polluted body of water in Springfield. After the town cleans up the waste, Homer causes a bio-hazard by dumping pig excrement in the water. Springfield is then quarantined with a dome placed over the city under the order of Russ Cargill.
It's spooky.
But Will I Have Fun?
Absolutely. Baby Maggie talks. Homer is Homer. Bart and Lisa have terrific plots that play on their character's strengths, and for once, the Ned Flanders character gets treated with dignity and respect. Humor too, yes, but well played. There are one liners, references to famous events and people and the same witty dialogue and hidden jokes in the settings that make the show a joy to watch.
The Bottom Line, Popcorn Kernels and All
An entire generation has now grown up in a Simpsons world. That's who this movie is aimed at and why it smashed multiple box office records upon its release. For anyone who has enjoyed multiple episodes of the show, the movie is a can't miss experience. Seeing it on the big screen is not necessary, and depending on its staying power, it could be a huge Christmas hit on DVD.
