The Simpsons Movie

The Simpsons Movie ***

Directed by David Silverman
Written by James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, George Meyer, David Mirkin, Mike Reiss, Mike Scully, Matt Selman, John Swartzwelder, and Jon Vitti, based on the television series "The Simpsons" created by Matt Groening

Starring:
Dan Castellaneta as Homer Simpson/Itchy/Barney/Grampa/Stage Manager/Krusty the Clown/Mayor Quimby/Mayor's Aide/Multi-Eyed Squirrel/Panicky Man/Sideshow Mel/Mr. Teeny/EPA Official/Kissing Cop #1/Bear/Boy on Phone/NSA Worker/Officer/Santa's Little Helper/Squeaky-Voiced Teen (voice)

Julie Kavner as Marge Simpson (voice)

Nancy Cartwright as Bart Simpson/Maggie Simpson/Ralph/Nelson/Todd Flanders/TV Daughter/Woman on Phone (voice)

Yeardley Smith as Lisa Simpson (voice)

Harry Shearer as Scratchy/Mr. Burns/Rev. Lovejoy/Ned Flanders/Lenny/Skull/President Arnold Schwarzenegger/Kent Brockman/Principal Skinner/Dr. Hibbert/Toll Booth Man/Smithers/Guard/Otto/Kang (voice)

Hank Azaria as Professor Frink/Comic Book Guy/Moe/Chief Wiggum/Lou/Carl/Cletus/Bumblebee Man/Male EPA Worker/Dome Depot Announcer/Kissing Cop #2/Carnival Barker/Counter Man/Apu/Drederick Tatum/Sea Captain/EPA Passenger/Robot/Dr. Nick (voice)

Marcia Wallace as Edna Krabappel (voice)
Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony(voice)
Albert Brooks as Russ Cargill (voice)

87 Minutes(Rated PG-13 for irreverant humor throughout)
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"The Simpsons Movie" has been stirring up in the minds of its creators ever since it was created in 1989. This show is only two months younger than I am, and I have heard rumors of its film for years and years and years, and after a mere eighty five minutes it is over. And what can I say? It was good, entertaining, and like watching an episode of "The Simpsons," an activity that I do not partake in very often. What I admired about it most was that it did not try to take another step forward. Aside from the crisper animation, the jokes are very much the same, the gags are just as silly, but they do not try to push the limit-that is to say, you won't see any graphic sex jokes or any language (aside from a g-damn). It's an extended four part television show, and that was good enough for me.

The town of Springfield goes Al Gore to try and protect Lake Springfield, after Lisa Simpson gets fed up with the constant dumping of garbage into the river. When Homer gets a pet pig and fills a giant tube with its droppings (as well as his own), he is forced to find a place to get rid of it. When the line at the actual dump is too long, and there is the promise of free doughnuts, Homer just dumps the cylinder into the lake and causes pollution levels to rise. The government, including President Schwarzenegger, is forced to act, and Springfield gets a giant dome erected above it to make sure that nobody gets in or out. When the town finds out that it was Homer who polluted the lake, the Simpsons are forced to flee, and they go to the country of Alaska to try and figure out what to do, even though the others are all fed up with Homer's constant stupid actions to even want him to be a part of the family anymore.

There are several good gags, and many jokes a minute even though not all of them work. I do perhaps wish that the plot was a little different, as most of the film involves The Simpsons away from the town, and the colorful characters that all live there. While the script does find a place for every single background character, many of their scenes are less than ten seconds long and are a little blip. I also wish there could have been the inclusion of Sideshow Bob, as Kelsey Grammar's character is always welcomed with open arms. Maybe if the plot stayed in Springfield there could have been more inclusions, but the film mainly focuses on the Simpsons. The plot could have been just a little less preachy, and not have a political agenda, because the overall message is one that I just commented I was tired of in my review for "Arctic Tale."

There is some good guest work including Albert Brooks (who must make another movie already) and Tom Hanks as himself. "The Simpsons Movie" is fun and entertaining and light, and what I enjoyed about it was how it actually lived up to its expectations. It did not try to be an amazing summer spectacle, and stayed low-key and actually seemed to be something that the fans could actually enjoy. And from what I hear, except for one or two people, the fans are pretty satisfied with the film. And now, after 18 long years of waiting, fans can finally sit down and enjoy the film version of the longest running animated television show ever-although not the greatest like many would claim.