The Animated Addict: "The Simpsons Movie" (2007)

You knew it had to happen eventually- that I would at some point review the theatrical effort of one of the longest running cartoons in history...

Oh woe is Springfield! Homer has acquired a pig, and all of the biological residue it creates. The refuse is piling up! No silo can contain the piggy pooings! But wait- the lake! PERFECT!

At least it was... before the pollution levels prompt the government to put the town under a dome.

Oh! Woe is Springfield. Who'll rise up and save the day?

An unlikely hero... once he's finished his donut...

I really quite enjoyed "The Simpsons Movie". The story actually managed to balance silliness, heart, action, adventure, and suspense in a well crafted tale. I found myself carried along with our hapless family, tagging along on their ups and downs. This movie actually returned me to a time when I enjoyed the show, a time when I had no qualms about rooting for them to at least get the participation award. It was a cohesive plot from start to finish, with only minor digressions that still served to flesh out the story. Simply put, I got lost in the movie.

The characters had been starting to feel a little stale by the time this movie came out. I wasn't as inclined to watch the series like I had been when it first started. This movie really made me want to follow the adventures of these lovable twits again. There's just enough character development to provide a springboard for future episodes, but not too much as to derail the standard format and formula of the series in general.

I also found the animation to be great. It's smooth, and slick, while retaining the charm of the TV series' look and feel. There was a nice crispness to the lines and colours that really made the characters and the environment pop and come to life. Just a really great job on the part of the animators.

When I first watched "The Simpsons Movie", I really wasn't expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised. I suggest giving it a watch- and I'm glad to have it in my library. It sits firmly in "The Good".

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