The Simpsons had already ruled TV land for many years by the time they finally attempted to conquer the movie world as well. It was never any big secret that a Simpsons movie was in the works: Fox registered the domain name "Simpsonsmovie.com" in 1997, a full nine years before the film was finally greenlighted. When creator/producer Matt Groening’s creation finally made it to the big screen in 2007, it only turned out to be the biggest hit of the summer, raking in over $100 million gross in box-office receipts in its first week, before heading on to do over $500 million worldwide, proving that the best joke in the movie was actually played on the audience: "Why pay for something when you can see it for free?" asks Homer at the movie’s start. Naturally, all the trouble starts with him. When he adopts a pig ("Sir Oinks-A-Lot") destined for Krusty’s slaughterhouse, it triggers an environmental catastrophe, forcing the government to seal Springfield into a dome and destroy the city. While the family manages to escape and flee to Alaska, they eventually decide to return and help save the city in more-or-less classic Simpson fashion. As Homer’s joke about the audience shows, Groening and producer Al Jean are keenly aware that their franchise is first and foremost a TV show. Maybe a little too aware, as the movie fails to ever rise above anything more than an extended episode, and not even one of its best episodes at that. True, there are plenty of good jokes; the animation has been kicked up a notch to be particularly sharp and detailed; and there are some truly memorable moments such as Bart’s nude skateboard ride and the "Spider-Pig" song. But when the film finally materialized, the payoff for long years of anticipation turned out to be small as the movie failed to live up to its potential; it’s amusing but not truly funny. The Simpsons Movie leaves the impression that maybe the show’s writers and producers had already spent their best ideas on the best years of the TV show. Had it been made years earlier… well, we can only wonder what could have been. --Daniel Vancini

Get to Know The Simpsons

"Oh, so they have internet on computers now!" -- Homer Simpson	"I'd like to visit that Long Island Place, if only it were real." -- Marge Simpson (drinking a Long Island Iced Tea)	"Aren't we forgetting the true meaning of Christmas? You know, the birth of Santa." -- Bart Simpson
"If cartoons were meant for adults, they'd put them on in prime time." -- Lisa Simpson	"Daddy" -- Maggie Simpson	> More Simpsons Characters

Beyond The Simpsons Movie

The Simpsons Toys & Games

The Simpsons Video Games

The Simpsons Books & Comics Store

The Simpsons Automotive

More of the The Simpsons on DVD

The Simpsons TV Series	The Simpsons Movie on Blu-Ray	The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror
The Simpsons Christmas	The Simpsons Gone Wild	The Simpsons Kiss and Tell: The True Story of Their Love

Stills from The Simpsons Movie

A Classic!

I haven't laughed this hard at a movie in ages. It ranks with Young Frankenstein, Airplane and Planes, Trains and Automobiles as one of the funniest movies ever made. It also has surprising heart, thanks to the influence of James L. Brooks. It is better than the TV show has been for a long time. And it takes full advantage of the big screen with views we could never imagine on TV. It is not only an achievement in comedy, but in animation.

Bonus material: The trailers are great

I bought this DVD just for the trailers. They are great. I can watch them over and over again, especially the ones with the bunny. If you wonder what other bonus material is on the DVD besides the trailers: there are two sets of commentaries, one with Matt et al. and one with the anime directors ("Look Lenny is eating the film's signature donut", boooring!); a couple of deleted scenes, which deserved to be deleted and several short clips of Homer: replacing Jay Lenno but forgetting to signal the audience when to laugh, being a judge in and announcing "American idol" and eating the head off a singing wiener. Worst singing wiener ever!

Does Whatever a Spider Pig Does...

Brilliance...

If you have not seen this film yet, D'oh!

This movie is every bit as pathetic and ridiculous as its series. The story is nonsensical. I mean...come on...the people of Spingfield didn't even try to tunnel underneath the dome to get out. And the whole motorcycle/bomb sequence...you have to be kidding me. Flanders and hot chocolate...

This is pure stupid fun for the holidays. I cannot recommend it more.

Spider Pig, Spider Pig does whatever a Spider Pig does. Poetic genius!