"The Simpsons Movie" Talkback (Spoilers)
- Thread starter Shawn F. Jacobson
- Start date
HIPS.SWING
New member
I saw that USA Today gave the movie 3 1/2 Stars. Already sweveral users gave it good ratings. I was expecting it to be a failure, but perhaps the Simpsons has a little life yet after all. I'll wait and see.
Don't expect it for a while. If there's a sequel, expect to air then. And it's going to be really, really odd when the air it due to many of the jokes that need a theater to be truly seeing it in. (Homer's opening lines are going to be especially cringeworthy on TV)
Oh, but the movie itself? Fantastic. A-...
Oh, but the movie itself? Fantastic. A-...
yay! saw it a couple nights ago. i loved it! I'll give it a 3.5/5. as someone said earlier, it was good, but not great. i still think beavis & butt-head: do america was a better movie.
things i liked:
- marvelous animation. it just goes to show that with the right amount of vibrant colors, even the more "simplistic" style can be gorgeous
- outstanding voice acting from julie kavner when she played a heart-torn marge
- the movie never dragged, and can easily be view over and over
-
- the delivery on "i was elected lead, not to read" was brilliant
on to the minor nitpicks:
"The Simpsons have been on a downturn since Season 8, so it was what I expected." this is such a true statement. i don't think anything will ever reach the quality of seasons 3-7 (i guess they had a dream team back then), however it still felt like a good season 10 episode.
- would've been nice to have a "homer at work" scene before the plot kicked in. is homer still employed at the power plant? or employed at all?
- for a pg-13 movie, it felt rather g-rated. it seemed like they just added
just to get the pg-13 rating.
- also for a pg-13 movie, i was expecting
- also i was kinda hoping they would be edgy and used the term
i always remembered the simpsons being known for their edginess rather than family-friendly appeal
that's about it. go see it!
things i liked:
- marvelous animation. it just goes to show that with the right amount of vibrant colors, even the more "simplistic" style can be gorgeous
- outstanding voice acting from julie kavner when she played a heart-torn marge
- the movie never dragged, and can easily be view over and over
-
bart drunk
- the delivery on "i was elected lead, not to read" was brilliant
on to the minor nitpicks:
"The Simpsons have been on a downturn since Season 8, so it was what I expected." this is such a true statement. i don't think anything will ever reach the quality of seasons 3-7 (i guess they had a dream team back then), however it still felt like a good season 10 episode.
- would've been nice to have a "homer at work" scene before the plot kicked in. is homer still employed at the power plant? or employed at all?
- for a pg-13 movie, it felt rather g-rated. it seemed like they just added
naked bart, homer flicking springfield off, and marge's "g-darn"
- also for a pg-13 movie, i was expecting
the itchy & scratchy segment to be darn near ultra violent and greusome. taste aside, it's rather sad to see that they got away with whole lot more on broadcast television than what you see in the theatres.
- also i was kinda hoping they would be edgy and used the term
"pig $#!T" rather than just "pig crap".
that's about it. go see it!
mr mcmahon rules
New member
The Simpsons have been both edgy and family friendly at times. That's why it transcends most demographics.
Jeremy [Ala]
New member
Got back from a midnight show.
I can see Simpsons fans liking this. And convincing themselves it was the "Best movie ever." But for anyone else, it was an okay comedy with some sloppy construction.
I can see Simpsons fans liking this. And convincing themselves it was the "Best movie ever." But for anyone else, it was an okay comedy with some sloppy construction.
Nicki :] ox
New member
*SPOILERS*
It was good, but not great.
The President Schwarzenegger thing was kinda odd. Did Rainier Wolfcastle change his name and become president? Or does Arnold look exactly like Mc Bain in the Simpsons universe? They should've given us a bit of explanation about that. I also felt that the president's assistant would've worked better with Sideshow Bob instead of creating a new character. Cause that was one of the major things I disliked about the film, no good villain. Another possible better solution would've been to give Burns more screentime and made him one of the main evildoers of the film.
I felt the Homer trying to win back Marge's love because she left him for acting like an idiot thing has already been done to many times before. It's something we've seen almost as often as Scratchy begin killed.
Needless to say, the appearance of annoying later season characters such as Crazy cat lady and Lindsay Neagle was something i hated as well. Why couldn't one of them gotten killed instead of Dr. Nick? Luckly they weren't given to much screentime tough.
Various B-stories not begin developed very much like Lisa's new boyfriend or why the pig dissapeared. (Maybe he was killed when the house was destroyed)
But what I did like about it was:
The special opening for the film, which apart from the absence of a couch gag
was great.
Various jokes and references (Homer calling us suckers for paying to see the movie, Green Day getting killed, Comic Book guy using Marge's pregnancy pants, the Disney-like animals, Grand Theft Walrus and a bunch of others.
The wonderful quality of the animation and colours.
Martin getting revenge on the bullies.
References to earlier episodes (Gabbo, Moe calling Marge Midge, Homer jumping over Springfield gorge etc)
It was good, but not great.
The President Schwarzenegger thing was kinda odd. Did Rainier Wolfcastle change his name and become president? Or does Arnold look exactly like Mc Bain in the Simpsons universe? They should've given us a bit of explanation about that. I also felt that the president's assistant would've worked better with Sideshow Bob instead of creating a new character. Cause that was one of the major things I disliked about the film, no good villain. Another possible better solution would've been to give Burns more screentime and made him one of the main evildoers of the film.
I felt the Homer trying to win back Marge's love because she left him for acting like an idiot thing has already been done to many times before. It's something we've seen almost as often as Scratchy begin killed.
Needless to say, the appearance of annoying later season characters such as Crazy cat lady and Lindsay Neagle was something i hated as well. Why couldn't one of them gotten killed instead of Dr. Nick? Luckly they weren't given to much screentime tough.
Various B-stories not begin developed very much like Lisa's new boyfriend or why the pig dissapeared. (Maybe he was killed when the house was destroyed)
But what I did like about it was:
The special opening for the film, which apart from the absence of a couch gag
was great.
Various jokes and references (Homer calling us suckers for paying to see the movie, Green Day getting killed, Comic Book guy using Marge's pregnancy pants, the Disney-like animals, Grand Theft Walrus and a bunch of others.
The wonderful quality of the animation and colours.
Martin getting revenge on the bullies.
References to earlier episodes (Gabbo, Moe calling Marge Midge, Homer jumping over Springfield gorge etc)
game freak
New member
No Sideshow Bob?!?!?!
other than his absence I have no quarrels w/ this movie.
other than his absence I have no quarrels w/ this movie.
Christine Louise
New member
I'll be seeing it in a few hours. I can't hardly wait.
tiredphilosopher
New member
My preliminary review and immediate thoughts/reactions:
I saw the movie last night, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. It was such an amazing experience, actually seeing a Simpsons movie, and it being like a "best of" in terms of past eras. I left the theatre knowing the movie will only get better in rewatches.
The plot was done very well. A lot of the time, it will feel like an episode didn't devote enough time to flesh out a plot and give it a logical conclusion, but we have everything in here. We see different sides of Lisa and Bart (making them look more in character than they've been in years), Marge has an understandable conflict, Homer gets to be a hero, and Maggie is funnier than she's ever been. The only drawback is past (and probably future) episodes where Homer is selfish or Marge considers leaving Homer pales in comparison to how it was done here. I also like that they set things up like the sinkhole and the motorcycle thing to be paid off later.
The length was a bit of a problem. Because it was so short (and they spent some time away from the town), we didn't get to see all of Springfield. I was kind of surprised at how many sets/environments were absent. The church was there (was it just me or did it look smaller?), but the inside of Springfield Elementary, the Kwik-E-Mart, and the power plant were all kind of shafted. Then there are the characters. It's nice to try and spot who you can recognize, but when some characters get lines and others don't, it leaves you wondering. Why does Cookie Kwan get to speak while Jasper, Sanjay, Sherri and Terri, Kirk, Miss Hoover, and a dozen others don't?
I'm actually wondering if people like Moe/Wiggum/Comic Book Guy/Cletus were given larger than average roles because Hank Azaria was sort of the odd man out (Harry Shearer got plenty of lines as Flanders and Schwarzenegger). Did they want to balance things out or something? Speaking of voice actors, it was great that Joe Mantegna got a little something to do as Fat Tony. I was hoping he and Jan Hooks would be in the movie since they're my favorite recurring actors.
I've probably got more to say about the movie, but all in all, it was funny, beautifully animated, heartfelt (loved that they used "Close To You"), and a wonderful experience to this longtime fan of the show.
I saw the movie last night, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. It was such an amazing experience, actually seeing a Simpsons movie, and it being like a "best of" in terms of past eras. I left the theatre knowing the movie will only get better in rewatches.
The plot was done very well. A lot of the time, it will feel like an episode didn't devote enough time to flesh out a plot and give it a logical conclusion, but we have everything in here. We see different sides of Lisa and Bart (making them look more in character than they've been in years), Marge has an understandable conflict, Homer gets to be a hero, and Maggie is funnier than she's ever been. The only drawback is past (and probably future) episodes where Homer is selfish or Marge considers leaving Homer pales in comparison to how it was done here. I also like that they set things up like the sinkhole and the motorcycle thing to be paid off later.
The length was a bit of a problem. Because it was so short (and they spent some time away from the town), we didn't get to see all of Springfield. I was kind of surprised at how many sets/environments were absent. The church was there (was it just me or did it look smaller?), but the inside of Springfield Elementary, the Kwik-E-Mart, and the power plant were all kind of shafted. Then there are the characters. It's nice to try and spot who you can recognize, but when some characters get lines and others don't, it leaves you wondering. Why does Cookie Kwan get to speak while Jasper, Sanjay, Sherri and Terri, Kirk, Miss Hoover, and a dozen others don't?
I'm actually wondering if people like Moe/Wiggum/Comic Book Guy/Cletus were given larger than average roles because Hank Azaria was sort of the odd man out (Harry Shearer got plenty of lines as Flanders and Schwarzenegger). Did they want to balance things out or something? Speaking of voice actors, it was great that Joe Mantegna got a little something to do as Fat Tony. I was hoping he and Jan Hooks would be in the movie since they're my favorite recurring actors.
I've probably got more to say about the movie, but all in all, it was funny, beautifully animated, heartfelt (loved that they used "Close To You"), and a wonderful experience to this longtime fan of the show.
trsofthesaints
New member
Well it lived up to the hype and then some:
Positives:
The 4th wall opening with Homer complaining.
The Springfield song.
Green Day actually had a fun cameo.
Grampa's seizure at the Church.
Milhouse still pining for Lisa.
Bart accepting Homer's dare, and Ralph's line regarding that skateboard ride.
The annoying fox crawl.
Nelson and his mom laughing at Bart.
The Flandersues kids saying "penis"
Spider-pig.
The theme music of the crisis.
the Simpsons' escape from the house.
Bart drunk.
To Be Contined "Immiadetely"
Bart trying to trick Homer in alaska (the avalances)
The Disneyesque animals during Homer and Marge's adventure.
Bart dissing Mickey Mouse.
The halluncation of Homer during his visit with the Boob lady. (I wonder if Lauren MacMullen helped out in that scene.)
Moe calling marge Midge and being the emperor of springfield.
The best use of Cletus yet.
The best use of Maggie in at least 10 years.
The Springfield Gorge scene.
The ending.
The squeaky-voiced teen cleaning up at the end.
Negatives:
2 strangling scenes instead of 1.
Not much Burns and Smithers. I would've wanted a scene with Burns and Cargill, even a 3-second gag or something.
The wedding once again conflicts with other versions of that fateful day. I don't think lenny/carl appeared then.
No word on the fate of Spider-pig.
The other pets had little or no scenes, safe for the infamous cameo by Santa's Little Helper.
General thoughts: I was very impressed with the writing and of course animation. The voice work was great too with perhaps Julie Kavner's best work during the wedding video scene. And Tress macNeille deserves a lot of credit as Colin and the Boob Lady. I also liked how the vast array of one-off and minor characters were the townspeople this episode rather than generic people which every episode has at least one scene with them instead of the obscure characters. I mean I don't think Brad Goodman has appeared since "Bart's Inner Child."
Positives:
The 4th wall opening with Homer complaining.
The Springfield song.
Green Day actually had a fun cameo.
Grampa's seizure at the Church.
Milhouse still pining for Lisa.
Bart accepting Homer's dare, and Ralph's line regarding that skateboard ride.
The annoying fox crawl.
Nelson and his mom laughing at Bart.
The Flandersues kids saying "penis"
Spider-pig.
The theme music of the crisis.
the Simpsons' escape from the house.
Bart drunk.
To Be Contined "Immiadetely"
Bart trying to trick Homer in alaska (the avalances)
The Disneyesque animals during Homer and Marge's adventure.
Bart dissing Mickey Mouse.
The halluncation of Homer during his visit with the Boob lady. (I wonder if Lauren MacMullen helped out in that scene.)
Moe calling marge Midge and being the emperor of springfield.
The best use of Cletus yet.
The best use of Maggie in at least 10 years.
The Springfield Gorge scene.
The ending.
The squeaky-voiced teen cleaning up at the end.
Negatives:
2 strangling scenes instead of 1.
Not much Burns and Smithers. I would've wanted a scene with Burns and Cargill, even a 3-second gag or something.
The wedding once again conflicts with other versions of that fateful day. I don't think lenny/carl appeared then.
No word on the fate of Spider-pig.
The other pets had little or no scenes, safe for the infamous cameo by Santa's Little Helper.
General thoughts: I was very impressed with the writing and of course animation. The voice work was great too with perhaps Julie Kavner's best work during the wedding video scene. And Tress macNeille deserves a lot of credit as Colin and the Boob Lady. I also liked how the vast array of one-off and minor characters were the townspeople this episode rather than generic people which every episode has at least one scene with them instead of the obscure characters. I mean I don't think Brad Goodman has appeared since "Bart's Inner Child."
Well maybe niow with the movie under the belt the crew will try "stepping" things up a notch since they'll be appealing to a new generation of viewers. (I did see a lot of teens and even familes during the screening, though not a full house worth since I went to see the early playing of the movie). I do agree though they could of used more townies. I mean I know they wanted to focus on the Simpsons specifically but a lot of characters got cut out (Not to mention I saw Kang listed in the credits despite not really appearing in the movie at all. As well as some other characters that didn't really get a chance to shine). Then again I'm sure there will be a huge smosghboard of deleted scenes on the DVD of various Springfieldians scenes that couldn't be made here (I mean wasn't there suppose to be some lines from Sideshow Bob? That didn't really get into the film did it?). I also think the Lisa subplot was kind of lame. Colin (who I heard was suppose to be voiced by Malie Flannigan but was instead voiced by Tress McNielle) was a nice kid and I did like his introduction and trying to help Lisa in her scene giving the presentation to the Townspeople (and them agreeing on needing a new chair riser device) but it really didn't add much to the movie. I mean besides an excuse to focus On Lisa getting another crush. But since she's still with him at the end and he is voiced by a regular character maybe Colin will actually be able to return to the Simpsons world again. Be nice anyway. The Greenday cameo I actually found kind of eh (Maybe MTV spoiled it for me though), though the other celebs did nice work (though for a movie I was expecting a lot more, espically since the Simpsons has had on 10 celebriites in a regular ep and only three regularly here). Also there could of been more to the ending with the townspeople rebuilding then there was, but I have to agree it was a fine movie. Highlights include the Itchy and Scratchy Opening (I was really hoping for one of those) with Itchy leaving Scratchy on the moon and then bombing it, Homer whining about having to pay for something they get on TV for free, the 3D opening into the town, Homer being heard ranting about the church by the congreation, Comic Book Guy taping Grandpa's raving, the Kids and Grandpa wanting to go to get Waffles despite Marge's wanting to solve the mystery more (that could of had more plot to it actually but guess they wanted to keep this one like 80 or so minutes), Homer sticking the wasp nest in Flander's mailbox and fixiing the sinkhole by putting Maggie in it, Bart and Homer's various set of dares (including the climbing on top and sliding down the roof, Homer lugging around that big weight and Bart riding through town naked with the infamous penis shot that got that big censor note awhile back), Bart being locked to the flagpole and being laughed at by Nelson and his mom, Krusty advertising his new sandwitch and talking about killing Spiderpig, Homer imagining himself with Spiderpig, the town meeting, Fat Tony taking his "wood chippings" away and Lou and Wiggum's convo about it, Homer dumping the pig crap in the river in order to get to the Donut Hut (though I would of liked to see him actually at the Donut place) with thinking Spiderpig would drive him home, Bart taking Ned's special hot coco and liking it and them going fishing, Al Brooks conversation with the president and the various unspeakable plans of action, Springfield being domed and the man being crushed in the process, Homer being found as the polluter and the mob heading the wrong way at first, Maggie scaring away Mr. Teenie, the family escaping in the Sinkhole (really nice animation on the house getting stuck in the sinkhole) and everyone clawing at Homer before they went Home, Bart drawing on they're wanted poster and arresting a weird similar looking family, Homer's back up plan being taking the family to Alaska (perhaps the only state the family hasn't really been too yet), Bart's drunk rambalings on Homer, the picture of alaska plastered on the car for a second, Moe getting robbed twice, Homer getting a 1,000 dollars from the Alaskian Boarder patrol, Tom Hanks cameo (heh they wanted to get him like 15 years ago to do a role in "Brother From the Same Planet" and finaly got him here), Eski-Moes and Grand Theft Walrus, Homer seeing the tape of his Marge saying they're leaving him (perpahs the last true emotional moment the show will ever have), Homer meeting the "Boob Lady" and having to dance to have a vision, the Family getting caught by the EPA, the dream Homer had where he admits that he has to help his friends and family to help himself, Homer's wolf rescue and truck driving (though spoiled quite a lot by all the ads of it), the bomb being dropped in Springfield, Bart wanting to spend his last moments with Flanders, Homer entering back in town, the police robot shooting itself, the reveal of the motorcycle and knocking the bomb out of the dome, the glass explosion, Maggie knocking out the Al Brooks character, and the ending credits with a small Burns ans Smithers scene and Maggie saying "Sequal". Guess we'll know if the movie turns out to be real succesful but I'd say one if they can deliever this level again, which is not at the pinnacle of all time greatness Simpsons but still a pretty damn good showing.
I haven't watched an episode of the Simpsons in ages and I was concerned for the movie, knowing the latest seasons haven't been wonderful. But I absolutely loved it. It was so funny. It felt kinda stretched out at points despite being so short and the Lisa subplot was unnecessary but cute nonetheless. We never did find out what happened to the pig. Ah well, I loved it anyway.