The Simpsons Movie

In 1989, “The Simpsons” aired on Fox. Created by Matt Groening & James L. Brooks, the show centers around the titular family who partake in misadventures whether it’s everyday life, encountering wacky characters, family issues etc. The Simpsons became an instant hit. As of 2023, there are a total of 34 seasons. Season 35 will air in October 1, 2023. In addition to winning numerous awards, the show spawned a franchise including merchandise, t-shirts, costumes, promoting Burger King and Butterfinger, action figures, merchandise, comics, video games and last but not least, “The Simpsons Movie.”

Development commenced back when Phil Hartman (may he Rest in Peace) was alive voicing Troy McClure & Lionel Hutz. Plans for a spin-off movie with the former character were cancelled after Phil’s tragic death. In 2001, the voice actors from the show signed on to reprise their roles. It took Matt, James and the writing staff five years to pen a script. They wrote 153 drafts filled with copious amount of material. In 2006, a teaser trailer features Homer wearing nothing but a Superman t-shirt and underwear poking fun at “Superman Returns.” Fans of the show couldn’t wait to see The Simpsons on the silver screen.

Marketing for the film was everywhere. Krusty the Clown promoting Whoppers at Burger King. 7-11 revamped selected locations as Kwik-E-Marts selling the show’s fictional brands including Homer’s pink donuts, Buzz Cola, Squishees & Krusty-O’s. When I was 13, I went to the one in Dallas with my family. Electronic Arts developed a video game not related to the movie. Homer, Lisa & Marge promoted the movie filling the roles as judges in “American Idol” with an animated Simon Cowell auditioning.

Released in 2007, (same year Linkin Park’s Minutes to Midnight came out) The Simpsons Movie earned positive reviews from critics, fans and movie goers alike. Besides praise, it also made a bunch of money at the box office. Futurama’s coming back on Hulu. Meanwhile, Disenchantment’s fifth and final season will end on Netflix. In response to the aforementioned shows, I wanna share my thoughts on The Simpsons Movie.

It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS are listed. The Simpsons Movie spawned memes. Most notably, Spider-Pig.

Smart & Dumb Aspects

Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer & Tress MacNeille all did an excellent job for their respective voiceover performances.

David Silverman did a solid job directing.

Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and the show’s writing staff wrote the script.

Frequent guest star Albert Brooks did a decent job voicing the movie’s antagonist, Russ Cargill. At first, Mr. Brooks was gonna reprise his role as Hank Scorpio, but Matt and his crew thought it wouldn’t repeating the same plot again. So, they went with Cargill instead.

Animation retains the show’s hand drawn format.

Humor throws every joke at you non-stop.

The Story’s influenced by “The Incredibles” & “It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World.”

Hans Zimmer (Gladiator, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception) orchestrated the soundtrack. An instrumental version of Spider-Pig is in the soundtrack. Hans later scored “The Amazing Spider-Man 1-2.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s the inspiartion for Rainer Wolfcastle. The former runs as U.S. president. Back when Arnold was the Governor of California.

Green Day (one of my favorite bands) make a cameo performing at Springfield Lake. Tom Hanks also makes a cameo as well.

Callbacks to previous seasons.

• The Telltale Head – An angry mob’s much bigger than the one with Bart cutting the head off a statue of Jebediah Springfield.
• Life on the Fast Lane – Marge’s bowling partner can be seen with the angry mob. He was also voiced by Albert Brooks.
• Bart the Daredevil – When Homer & Bart jump safely at Springfield Gorge, you can see an ambulance hit by a tree. In the episode, Homer attempts to skateboard over the gorge, but falls on a few rocks and the ground. Then, he’s airlifted by the ambulance, it accidentally crashes into the exact same tree, causing Homer to fall yet again.
• King-Sized Homer – Bart mentioned “Homer’s big fat ass could shield us all.” A morbidly obese Homer saved Springfield preventing the Nuclear Power Plant from blowing up by clogging himself in a vent.
• The Way We Was – A wedding video with Homer & Marge slow dance to The Carpenters’ “Close to You.” At high school, Homer falls in love with Marge. Followed by the song in the background.
• Trash of the Titans – Bono’s mentioned. He guest starred as himself.
• Whacking Day – During the Climax, Homer wears a cowboy hat. He also wore a huge one.
• Natural Born Kissers – Bart skateboards naked. His parents were also naked.
• Itchy and Scratchy and Marge – Maggie knocks out Cargill with a rock. She also knocks Homer out with a mallet.
• I am Furious (Yellow) – Homer sings a parody of the Spider-Man 60s cartoon, “Spider-Pig” and names the pig after it. Stan Lee guest starred as himself. It’s confirmed, Homer’s a Marvel fan. Matt himself is a Marvel fan.
• The Way We Weren’t – Homer imagines himself and Spider-Pig dancing to The Turtles’ Happy Together. A callback to Homer & Marge’s first kiss.
• Homer’s Triple Bypass – Homer has an x-Ray of his skeleton. Dr. Hibbert did add green dye. Homer’s insides are radiated after years of working at the Nuclear Power Plant. It’s confirmed, Homer’s physiology contains toxins. His poop (minus the Spider-Pig) caused the lake to become polluted. A squirrel becomes mutated due to Homer’s poop. Now that’s a subtle callback. An example of “Show Don’t Tell.”
• The Itchy and Scratchy Movie – The family watch a movie with the titular duo. An old episode with Bart becomes desperate to see the movie.
• Lisa’s First Word – During the End Credits, the family watch the credits. Maggie utters out her first word. “Sequel?” It’s not really her first word. Her first word’s “Dada.” The late Elizabeth Taylor had a guest role as Maggie.

Dumb: Kelsey Grammer recorded lines to reprise his role as Sideshow Bob. His scenes were cut. Other well known figures like one my all-time favorite actors, Edward Norton, Kevin Bacon, Minnie Driver, Isla Fisher and the real life Erin Brokovich recorded dialogue. Their scenes were cut due to time constraints. I’ll let this con slide because Green Day (one of my favorite bands) was the saving grace.

The Final Verdict: A, FOR APEX!

The Simpsons Movie is my second favorite movie of 2007. I consider “Hot Fuzz” as my number one pick. If you’re psyched for Futurama’s revival or Disenchantment’s final season, keep yourself busy on The Simpsons Movie. Don’t forget to replay the video game “Hit and Run.”