The Simpsons Movie

One of the consistently cool aspects of “The Simpsons” is its ability to engage in unapologetic parody without sacrificing the creator’s often adult-oriented sense of hilarity. Every yarn is fresh, witty, and adeptly designed to put a unique spin on the society it reflects. That is, of course, the foremost reason why Matt Groening’s baby has become the longest running sitcom in television history. His surefire comedic formula has spent the last 18 years fueling the pop culture pantheon in ways that other shows can only dream about. Whether it’s phrases like “D’oh!” or “Ay, caramba!,” the indelible impact this series has made on people is almost impossible to deny.

So when the idea of a full-length feature film came around, I hoped that it would adhere to the same high standard set by the previous 400 episodes. After seeing it, I can honestly say that it’s funnier and more enjoyable than a lot of what they’ve done since the early days. Yes, “The Simpsons Movie” is pleasantly becoming one of the unexpected gems of 2007 and could quite possibly be one of the best at year’s end.

Although some may see it as just an extended episode, there’s actually a plot revolving around Springfield’s pollution problem and Homer’s quest to save his family from permanent severance. The chaos begins when Homer illegally dumps pig excrement into the lake causing the government to step in and put a dome over the entire town. As a result, they’re forced to flee the city and take refuge in Alaska until things get straightened out.

Okay, so the plot’s pretty basic, but it’s the highly intelligent political satire and Homer’s lovable idiocy that provide non-stop laughs throughout and make for a satisfying big-screen adaptation.
Green Day, Tom Hanks, and Arnold Schwarzenegger all show up to the party and make the most of their appearances. “Hello , I’m Tom Hanks. The US government has lost its credibility so it’s borrowing some of mine” is, by far, the best line in the film and it comes at a time when many people second that notion. Other finely honed spoofs include Lisa’s environmental presentation “An Irritating Truth” and Green Day’s salute to the band from “Titanic,” which is priceless.

At a tidy 87 minutes, director David Silverman manages to fit everything necessary into this long-awaited film and rarely does anything seem forced or superfluous. All of our favorite characters make their presence felt and The Simpson clan causes enough mayhem to make this one an uproarious exercise in acute societal analysis and delightful stupidity. As if we expected anything less.

- *** ½ out of 4