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"The Simpsons Movie"
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Harry Shearer, Hank Azaria
Directed by David Silverman
Runtime: 87 min.
Greeted with a larger-than-life version of the "Itchy and Scratchy Movie" the cartoon audience in "The Simpsons Movie" settles in for a big screen thrill created from a small screen success.
As the final violent gags between cat and mouse play out, Homer Simpson (voiced by Dan Castellaneta) stands up and shouts about how stupid the movie is and why would anyone pay to see something in a movie theater they can see for free on television?
Well, in the case of "The Simpsons Movie," people will pay because it's actually really funny.
Earning $168 million in its opening weekend, the longest-running primetime animated television show seamlessly transitions from a 30 minute plot to an almost 90 minute movie.
Springfield finds itself in a terrible economic situation where Lake Springfield is polluted almost beyond saving. Spearheaded by 8-year-old Lisa Simpson (Yeardley Smith), the town cleans up the lake and finds nothing else can be dumped in the water or else the community faces being an eco-disaster.
But the warnings don't stop Homer from dumping his newly-acquired pet pig's droppings into the lake, and Springfield finds itself inside a glass dome dropped over the city by the EPA, fighting for survival all because of the famously flawed father.
"The Simpsons Movie" certainly doesn't pack the same kind of laughs "The Simpsons" television show 10 years ago did. It is definitely similar to the episodes airing currently, where comedy is offbeat and storylines have moved into the area of simply not repeating what the series has already done.
There aren't any creative songs about monorails or musical versions of "Planet of the Apes." Much of the original subtlety is lost, but a show that has been in primetime for nearly 20 years tends to get a pass in that category when it finally makes the jump to the silver screen.
Some of the included laughs in the film are still scathing commentaries, as in one scene in the Simpson's church where Grandpa Simpson has a holy vision and begins rolling in the aisles warning Springfield of impending doom.
Acting quickly, Homer turns to a copy of the Bible, flips through the pages frantically and shouts, "This book doesn't have any answers!"
The film doesn't fall into the trap of betraying every joke in its trailer. In fact the best material and surprises are saved for the big screen.
But "The Simpsons Movie" isn't all laughs. In fact for the most part a familial message is spread, as Homer's son Bart loses faith in his dad after so many failures and looks to neighbor Ned Flanders for a father figure. Homer's flaws also leave wife Marge wondering whether her marriage is worth all of her troubles.
The success of "The Simpsons Movie" goes to show some things only get better with time. While the TV show may have outlived its golden years, America's favorite yellow-skinned cartoon family still has a lot of laughs to give.
Daily Egyptian writer Alicia Wade can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 275 or awade@siude.com.
