The Simpsons Movie

It's been ten years since the release of The Simpsons Movie and I've revisited it again this evening. I think people's main issue with the film at the time was that it failed to reach the heights of the show at its peak but that was an unrealistic expectation circa season 17 of the series. A decade on, it stands up as a creditable attempt to transfer one of the world's best loved TV shows to the big screen.

It may not necessarily be hugely ambitious but it stays true to the spirit of The Simpsons. It feels fitting that Homer's selfish behaviour threatens the very existence of Springfield, whilst the idea of Bart finding an alternate father figure in Ned Flanders provides interesting territory. But the real star is Marge Simpson, a marginalised figure finally taking her place in the spotlight. It's an outstanding performance from Julie Kavner and her speech to Homer on videotape explaining why she's left him is beautiful, poignant and devastating.

There's prescient stuff from The Simpsons writers too, depicting both a celebrity president who was "elected to lead, not to read" and a bungling NSA. Frequent guest star Albert Brooks returns to voice evil NSA head Russ Cargill and this felt like a missed opportunity. Brooks voiced my favourite one time Simpsons character, the charismatic lunatic Bond villain Hank Scorpio. A long form Simpsons would have been the perfect chance to bring him back.

In any event, I think it's a solid piece of work and a damn sight better than where the show is today, sadly.


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