Cinema review
Directed by David Silverman
Starring the voices of Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Harry Shearer
Release date 25 July 2007

Homer’s stupid actions result in a polluted lake and the family’s exile from Springfield. When President Schwarzenegger is coerced into placing a dome over the town, America’s best-loved family become the only ones able to stop the end of life as they know it…

Years in the making, and with anticipation levels sky-high, The Simpsons Movie was never going to please everybody. Quite why the TV show, which works so well in its 20-minute, self-contained episode format, had to be transferred to the big screen at all is something of a mystery. It works occasionally during its 87-minute running time, but there is little here that hasn’t been covered during its astonishing 18 year run.

There are a few moments of inspired genius. Bart’s naked skateboarding journey through the town features a welcome reversal of expectations, and there are some nice moments with Homer as he realises what a finally-at-end-of-her-tether Marge means to him. But the story is nowhere near as tightly scripted as the TV show. Homer’s pet pig is introduced and promptly dumped, while the mutant creatures from the lake are quickly sidelined without being used to any great effect. A subplot involving Bart forming a bond with Flanders is also dropped fairly ruthlessly towards the end.

Fans of Mr Burns and Smithers will likely enjoy their brief roles but, like many other popular residents of Springfield, they are given little to do in favour of more pratfalling from Homer, proving that what is funny in brief doses can lose its charm when it becomes overstretched.

Despite a lot of goodwill and some nicely handled gags, The Simpsons Movie outstays it’s welcome by at least 67 minutes. Closer to the recent run of weaker TV episodes than the classic glory days of the past, it’s not a total disaster. But the fact that there is about 20 minutes of fun to be had here is a good indication as to where Matt Groening and co should be concentrating their talents in future. Jonathan Wilkins

VERDICT: 5/10
The Simpsons isn’t the worst of this summer’s blockbusters, but it’s certainly the most disappointing. D’oh!