by Perry Cox

Created on: August 26, 2008

When Homer Simpson releases his pet pigs excrement into Springfield's lake the town's pollution levels go critical and Springfield is imprisoned in a dome by the Environmental Protection Agency. This is the last straw for Homer's long suffering family and the towns inhabitants who declare mob rule. In a stroke of good fortune Homer escapes the dome via a convenient sinkhole and relocates his family to Alaska. However, his long suffering wife Marge finally has had enough and leaves, taking their children with her. Can Homer regain the love of his family and save Springfield?

I will be the first to admit that I am not the World's biggest Simpson's fan. I do like the show and there are some absolutely superb episodes out there but unlike many fanatics I do think it is very hit and miss. For every great episode there are quite a few so-so episodes and dare I say it...even some poor ones. Over so many years it is inevitable that a show will ebb and flow and I do believe the television series has probably peaked. Despite this fans continue to lap up every episode even as the retreading of story lines and increase of "clip shows" becomes seemingly more apparent by the day. It is therefore no surprise to me that "The Simpson Movie" was such a big success.

However, just because something is a success it does not make it good and I am afraid to say that I could not love "The Simpson's Movie". Do not get me wrong, there are worse animated films out there but for me this is a film that does not ever hit the heights of one of the television series's better episodes and it was largely mundane.

A large part of this for me is the emphasis on Homer as the central character. Although very much an iconic figure, Homer is a character without depth. His shallow nature makes him very much the anti-hero we love despite his obvious flaws. Unfortunately, his lack of depth does make him quite a dull central figure. In a half hour episode he is undoubtedly an amusing slapstick figure but for an hour and a half it is just too much (in spite of the hilarious "Spider-Pig sketch"). The film starts promisingly enough with a variation of the start of the television show providing a lot of humour and the knowing "cash in" jibes from the characters add some poignancy and wit. However, as soon as the action moves away from Springfield and its colourful inhabitants the pace slows and it is all a bit of a chore.

Undoubtedly, the best parts of the film are based in Springfield were the colourful cast of misfits are allowed to shine with crowd favourites like Krusty the Clown and Mr Burns making funny and telling contributions. Unfortunately, these segments are few and far between and with the emphasis on Homer's plight, much of the joy of the TV show is lost.

The plot itself is engaging enough and the mocking environmental sentiment is good if underused. A cameo by Green Day is a nice touch and the lampooning of "Titanic" inspired. This is however, one of few highlights in a film that is overlong and suffers from a lack of ideas. Little has been done to advance the ideas of the show with the animation being of the same quality as the TV series and is it really that funny to put in some random German subtitles?

No doubt my view is a rare one and few will be convinced that this is a film not worth their time. If you love the TV show you will probably find something to love in the movie but if you only like it you might be as disappointed as I was. A eighty-seven minute poor television episode.

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