Nostalgic Movie Review: The Simpsons Movie
All the way back in the late 1980s, an episode was released of what would later become one of the most recognizable sitcoms on television. However, unlike many similar series of its time, not only was it animated, but it also dealt with more serious or sometimes not-so-serious issues in its own gag-filled way with much adult humor. The Simpsons… Is not what is being reviewed today. Instead, we are watching an equally successful movie with the same characters and setting. The Simpsons movie…
This movie was surprisingly nostalgic to many and overall was considered an incredible success. I actually grew up watching this movie and it has stuff for both adults and children. I never could fully appreciate it until I became a teenager, however. This is mostly because while it does have stuff for children and silly gags, it has even more references and humor for older audiences. That being said, I have not seen it in years, so lets take a look.
Summary: According to IMDB
Homer adopts a pig who’s run away from Krusty Burger after Krusty tried to have him slaughtered, naming the pig “Spider Pig.” At the same time, the lake is protected after the audience sinks the barge Green Day is on with garbage after they mention the environment. Meanwhile, Spider Pig’s waste has filled up a silo in just 2 days, apparently with Homer’s help. Homer can’t get to the dump quickly so dumps the silo in the lake, polluting it. Russ Cargill, the villainous boss of the EPA, gives Arnold Schwarzenegger, president of the USA, 5 options and forces him to choose 4 (which is, unfortunately, to destroy Springfield) and put a dome over Springfield to prevent evacuation. Homer, however, has escaped, along with his family. Can he stop the evil Cargill from annihilating his hometown, and his family, who have been forced to return to Springfield?
My Thoughts:
The Simpsons is a great TV show however 95% of people who have seen this movie would say that this movies built upon an already great show and made a better movie. That includes me because I loved this movie even more than I did before.
I actually wrote everything I loved about this movie down on a notepad while I was rewatching it. I am not joking, I filled up two entire pages in my notepad within the first 20 minutes. So starting with everything before the movie begins, the film, after the opening credits, has a very elaborate and dark sketch involving itchy and scratchy (the tom and jerry of Simpson’s) where essentially they make a self aware joke about paying for a movie you can watch on TV for free.
What makes this movie so interesting are the hidden messages. I could talk all about how I genuinely belly-laughed at several of their jokes, but there’s great messages about family, the environment, love, and parenting.
My favorite portion of the movie, however, would have to be the notorious P.I.G.; there’s a pig and I love him. He’s a small portion of the movie, but he strangely drives the plot and is a device of several hilarious jokes. Most of all, the pig doesn’t overstay its welcome because about 40 minutes into the movie, it isn’t seen again.
Rating:
9.5 spider-pigs out of ten
Promotion:
Find the Simpsons Movie on Disney plus and other streaming services