I watched the entire IMDb top 250 list and now I'm watching everything else. All reviews so far.
The Simpsons Movie (2007)
Here's what I think, and you'll forgive me for being a bit incoherent because I've had a strange day - not in a very good way - and I'm tired and I'm hungry and I hate everybody in the Universe (including YOU) and you know how it is: The Simpsons Movie is good, but not as good, in fact, nowhere near as good as it rightfully should be. By which I mean: It's not Simpsons good.
Of course, The Simpsons itself (one could argue) hasn't been Simpsons good in about a decade. Speaking of which, pardon me while I interrupt this review with another review which I should have published in, I think, June, but never did:
The Simpsons, Season 18 (22 episodes)
What happened to this show? It used to be better than everything in the world and now it's merely better than almost everything on TV. The problems, as I see it, are two:
- Everything's been done. Sometimes twice. At this point, even new good episodes remind me of similar, better episodes from past seasons. I'm starting to feel it should have ended about ten years ago. Season 8 had several all-time great episodes that, taken together, seemed to wrap up the show. Remember "You Only Move Twice"? "Hurricane Neddy"? "El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer"? "The Old Man and the Lisa", which almost changed the status quo of the show. "In Marge We Trust" - with Mr Sparkle (video link)? And "Homer's Enemy", possibly the darkest episode ever, in which we get to see what it would really be like to have Homer as a co-worker. Plus, the penultimate episode of the season was "The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase", almost an epilogue. Artistically, it wouldn't have been a bad idea to have ended The Simpsons back then.
- In the early 10th season, Phil Hartman was shot to death by his wife. Which meant, no more Troy McClure, no more Lionel Hutz, etc, etc.
So it stumbles along, year after year. Most episodes are good, very few are worse than okay. And sometimes it surprises with a truly excellent episode. But those get fewer and farther between with each season. Regretfully, I'll give this season three Michael Keatons:
A couple of the episodes I mention above actually sprang to mind while I was watching the film. Albert Brooks' voice for the government guy reminds me of the far more interesting character Hank Scorpio. Homer's spiritual odyssey is not as good as the one with Johnny Cash. And it goes on and on. Homer's adoption of the pig is less funny than his relationship with Pinchy. Marge leaving seems like a weak copy of the "complete and utter dependence" episode. Jumping over a cliff with a bike is not as cool as jumping over a cliff with a skateboard.
But the weakest part of the movie was the inclusion of Arnold Schwarzenegger. What's wrong with Rainier Wolfcastle? And by the way, Maggie said her first word long ago. All in all, it was the Worst. Movie. Ever.
No, wait. I liked it just fine. But I didn't love it. And a Simpsons movie you can't love is a betrayal worse than when Judas ratted out Jebus. The producers should hang themselves in shame, and leave all their money to me.
6 comments:
SPOILER ALERT!!
Don't read this comment if you haven't seen the move!
Koala!! The whole sequence of naked Bart riding his skateboard and seeing his little noodle was so shocking and had me so completely cracked up I almost chocked. The way they drew it was hilarious. What was your fav scene?
END OF SPOILER.
Yes, you headed it right on the nail.
Go watch Black Sheep instead. It's better AND funnier.
Goo: I dunno, but I liked "Clap for Alaska!". And the Spider-Pig song, and Lenny's "No offense there, Carl."
Matthew: Yes!!!
Spidercrazy: If it's so good, why haven't I see it? Answer me that. You can't, can you?
Movies not being intelligent enough has not stopped you from watching them before. So, my best guess is you're probably out of beer.
Who said anything about intelligent enough? SHEEPFILM SOUND SMRT. Me see.
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