Simpsons Movie (2007)

3 out of 5 stars.

The Simpsons finally made their long-awaited arrival on the big screen. I of course waited for them to release it on DVD so I could see them where they belong, which is on the small screen. However, I was disappointed. The Simpsons are a great show and they have provided many years of solid episodes, but their attempt at a movie fell a little flat in my opinion.

The problem here is that to hang in there for 1 1/2 hours (the minimum length of a feature film movie) you need to care about the characters. But I didn't care much about the redemption of Homer or Lisa's love interest or whether Springfield met its ultimate demise or not. Why do I not care? Perhaps because I have seen the show 100 times and the Simpsons are a crude bunch for whom it is hard to get behind. I am actually glad Seinfeld never made a movie, because I suspect I would have many of the same feelings for them. Instead, it felt like a sitcom that was dragged out over 90 minutes - which is way too long for a sitcom.

There are funny moments and one-liners, as there are in every Simpsons show, but the moments are fleeting and not enough to feed you for the entire time. Obviously, die hard Simpsons fans will need to see this movie, but don't set your sights too high.