Best. Movie. Ever.

Well, not really, but I just got back from opening night of The Simpsons Movie. Overall I have to say I quite liked the flick as the jokes were jokey, the writing was pretty darn good, and the animation was simply beautiful. It's definitely something fans of the TV series will want to see, however, as far as character development and plain old show progression go, it doesn't hold a candle to South Park Bigger, Longer and Uncut... one thing I expect from movies based on TV shows -- especially those from either recently-ended shows (eg. X-Files) or still-running shows (eg. South Park) is to have the movie do things the TV show can't. Sure we get some of that with Homer flipping the bird and Marge saying "god damn" but really we could have had more (though Bart getting drunk was a nice touch). Compare what we get in The Simpsons Movie in that regard to what Matt & Trey deliver with South Park Bigger Longer and Uncut and TSM just can't hold a candle.

However, one thing that The Simpsons has done fairly well over the years is wrap stories up in a neat little package so the world in which the characters exist doesn't drastically change when all is said and done (excepting notable events like the death of Maude Flanders, for instance). The movie is no different in that regard and for those who watch the show but may not see the movie, there's nothing you'll miss by skipping it come October or November when the new season premieres. Unlike SPBLaU. And that's not necessarily a good thing.

3.5/5