Simpsons Movie

If you haven't seen the movie, don't read the post! Spoilers are included!

Ok, I haven't posted in a while, and when I do, it seems to be all about movies. Why is that? Right now, I'm working on the biggest job of the year, and also studying for the third part of the CPA exam. So life has been reduced to working, studying, watching racing, and going to see the occasional movie. I know what you're saying: You waited to see Casino Royale, but you couldn't wait to see the Simpsons movie?! No, I couldn't. Besides, I now have two parts under my belt, and I'm a lot more confident with this software. It was only a weekend anyway.

Well, despite all the hype in the media, and the uber hilarious commercials, I have been apprehensive about the movie. The past few seasons of the Simpsons have not been up to snuff, and it's hard to imagine that the movie could be much better. Of course, saying a Simpsons episode is bad still implies that it's funnier and wittier than any other show out there. It still hasn't lost its satirical abilities. But I was pleasantly surprised.

The movie opens with Bart and Lisa watching an Itchy and Scratchy cartoon involving a moon landing and ICBMs. After this is finished, Marge gets the family ready for church, and they're all late. Marge is upset at being tardy, but Homer says they won't notice, because they're too focused on their "phoney baloney God." They're embarrassed to find out that everyone heard Homer's comment. As the Simpsons take their seats, Reverend Lovejoy asks for a testimony. Grandpa Simpson stands up and has a vision that Springfield is doomed. Marge is greatly disturbed by this, and works to decipher Grandpa's vision. It seemed to revolve around an ecological disaster, but she isn't sure.

Meanwhile, we're treated to some father/son bonding as Homer dares Bart to ride his skateboard naked through the streets of Springfield. Hilarity does ensue as we see some hardcore nudity! The escapade ends at Krusty Burger, where Bart does a faceplant on the window and gives Flanders the shock of his life. It's here that the causal link between Grandpa's vision and the odyssey begins. Krusty is filming a commercial for his new burger, and it features a pig wearing a toque. After the director yells cut, Krusty orders the pig to be killed. Homer is horrified. "You can't kill a pig...Not when it's wearing people clothes!" Homer adopts the pig, and thus Spider-Pig is born.

Parts of Grandpa's epiphany are starting to emerge. Kent Brockman reports that Lake Springfield is reaching dangerously toxic levels, which could make Springfield and the rest of the state unliveable. An effort is made (including Mr. Burns) to stop dumping in the lake. All seems well, until one fateful night when Homer dumps the pig's crap-filled silo into the lake. All hell breaks loose, as the lake boils over and the EPA is alerted. EPA director Cargill, with approval from President Schwarzenegger, has dropped a giant dome over Springfield to contain the toxicity. Citizens of Springfield are outraged. Who would do such a thing. It's not long before they figure out it was Homer. Like the townfolk with pitchforks storming the castle, the Simpsons are chased out of town. Where will Homer's odyssey take him?

Alaska.

The Simpsons attempt to start over. Homer skis and plays Grand Theft Walrus at the Alaskan equivalent of Kwik-E-Mart. Marge is having trouble forgiving Homer for what he did, especially since he refuses to accept responsibility for his actions. She makes the decision to leave Homer, and heads back to Springfield. She documents her decision by taping over their wedding video-the last thing she grabbed before the mob chased them out.

Homer is at a crossroads. Marge said she left him because of his selfishness. Can he change to win her back and save Springfield? He thinks so. He employs a team of sled dogs to head back, only to find out that the ecological situation in Springfield has deteriorated rapidly. Cargill's idea to save it involves dropping a bomb through the top of the dome. Reuniting with the family, who takes a huge leap of faith to trust him, Bart and Homer use a motorcyle to ride up the side of the dome (successfully jumping Springfield Gorge!) and fling the bomb out of the dome just in time. Springfield is saved, to live on in future seasons, until the show become unprofitable.

I thought the movie was great-just long enough to keep from being dull, and outrageous enough not to be on TV. You don't have to know anything about the Simpsons to see it, but it helps. There are plenty of inside jokes that only the most rabid of fans will get. You have to stay to watch the credits, to see all the characters who didn't show up in the movie proper. Maggie's second word is "sequel." I wouldn't be surprised at all.