Cool News
A pair of early SIMPSONS MOVIE reviews come in! D'oh? Or excelllllennnttt?
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here. I'm happy to say that both of these reviews, from early screenings, are positive. Excellllennnnttt.... Be warned of some spoilerage. It's not too heavy, but it ain't too lite, either.
Hey Harry, Well here’s a pleasant surprise, I just saw a sneak preview of the Simpsons movie right here in Tempe! If I were superstitious, spiritual, or other-worldly orientated this would go down as evidence that my luck’s about to change! We were simply told that it was a pg13 comedy from a big studio and the place went nuts when they announced that it was the Simpsons movie. Some strange dude hi-fived me and people were screaming, cheering, whistling, and just pissing their pants with glee! I was completely pumped, not only would I not have to pay for something I was planning to see (though I probably will anyway), I got to see it before anyone else! Almost 3 months before it comes out, not too shabby. I’ve seen all the trailers, read the reviews, and have been chomping at the bit for more. It sort of makes sense after reading about how unfinished it was that they would bring it out into the world again. We had to sign an agreement that seemed to indicate that my children’s children would suffer the wrath of God should I tell anyone about what I saw. So out of a little paranoia and not wanting to be a dick I won’t spoil the plot. I wanted to compare my experience with the review I read a few weeks ago, but to be honest I have no memory of what that guy said, so I’ll start from scratch. First of all the movie was in very rough shape. A lot of stuff wasn’t animated at all. A lot was still in black and white. And I think you actually realize what the visuals of the simpsons brings to the comedy when you don’t have the animation. The parts where it was totally finished played way better than the parts that weren’t and the animation was actually way better than on the show..more vivid, more 3D, etc. Overall I’d give it 10 out of 10, the movie is exactly what you would want and expect from a simpsons movie. And I could tell that everyone in the audience thought so too, it was uproarious laughter from start to finish..high praise, but it’s worth it. I hadn’t watched the simpsons in some time, but used to pretty frequently, so seeing them again was kind of cool-nostalgic-weird, but still funny…in fact funnier because there are things in this movie that could not be shown on tv. (to name just one thing…I will let you in on a secret Bart is well hung!) I’m writing this fresh from the theater so the sensation is still vivid in my mind. All of the things that used to draw me to the show are in the movie and kicked up a notch. By that I mean that every supporting character gets at least a line or two in the movie and goes a little above and beyond what they did on tv. Another example, Otto the bus driver, who on the show sounds as though he is perpetually stoned but how he gets that way has only been implied….until now. Homer drives the story and is classic, but on a larger scale because his incompetence not only impacts his family it also jeopardizes the existence of the entire city of Springfield. Some of the best parts of the whole film involve Bart & Homer and Bart & Flanders because underneath there is a really sweet storyline between a father and a son. I think that’s something that eludes a lot of Simpson critics, say what you will about the crude humor (though not by today’s standards), but in the end they always stick together. Not to nitpick but I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of Mr. Burns and Chief Wiggum. They are in the movie, but as my favorite characters, not as well developed or central as I would have liked. But that’s so minor. Thinking back on the film in its entirety, this is a very, very funny, character driven movie with a plot that holds together well enough but on it’s own probably wouldn’t be that interesting. I know, duh, but it seems important to emphasize that you won’t feel as though the essence of the characters, that everyone loves, was compromised in the transition to film. It was a good time that truly did not disappoint..people will be psyched to check it out once it comes out. Call me Doo Doo if you use this
Bart's balls? Don't know about that, but I'm sure it's hilarious...
Hey, Lizardman here, just a friendly neighborhood lurker, until now. You might already be getting a bunch of stuff from attendees of the Simpsons Movie test screening they just had in Tempe, AZ, but I'll throw my two cents in. No real spoilers. Homer Simpson addresses the biggest hurdle in creating a Simpsons movie early on in, uh, The Simpsons Movie: (quoted from memory) "We're paying to watch something we used to get on TV for free!" Indeed, considering the animated Simpsons TV show is arguably already able to feature virtually any plot the writers can conjure up and censors will allow, justifying a Simpsons adaptation to the big screen would have been an unenviable task. But adapt it they did, and the results are a movie that is unmistakably, undeniably a movie, not simply an elongated episode ("...of our lives..."). Each member of the Simpsons family has something going on in their lives (well, except Maggie I guess), and although each one of their stories could have been done on television, they would have been isolated in their own episodes, not having consequences on each other and not contributing to the larger story as a whole. The Simpsons' actions affect each other in ways that I actually found moving--- something I hadn't been able to say about The Simpsons for years and I don't think it would have been as effective on the small screen. The Simpsons Movie, to use a cliche, is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. Perhaps even more important, though, is the question: is the movie funny? The ansewr is a resounding YES. The laughs come fast and frequently, and don't drag the punch line out or repeat jokes too often. The jokes are a little more broad and not quite "inside" this time out, and it may surprise some to find that this turns out to be a good thing: there is no longer any silly notion to have to 'compete' with Family Guy and the humor doesn't rely on obscure references (though there are a couple sprinkled here and there, of course). The movie just wants to get people to laugh and it does so admirably. I'm not sure what the consensus was as far as the PG-13 rating was concerned, but I for one am glad that the writers resisted any urge to exploit the more open standards of the cinema. That said, the movie does take advantage of it for two sequences in particular, one involving Homer's taunts while escaping an unruly mob and the other a moment that I was NOT expecting at all and had the audience nearly falling out of their chairs. The fact that such scandalous material was rare in the flick made it that much more enjoyable when it did happen. Other big-screen advantages of the Simpsons motion picture include some surprisingly great artwork and animation (watch out for that romantic bedroom sequence with Marge and Homer featuring Disney-like animal creatures) and a score. The screening had a temp track in place; I noticed a few cues from Back to the Future and Predator in some parts (both by Alan Silvestri-- is he composing this one?), and it worked unexpectedly well. Complaints? I have a couple. My first would be the movie's main villain. I forget his name, but he was a government agent working under President Schwarzenegger (transplanting the voice from Renier Wolfcastle). He's a real "blah" character and I was left wanting for a more noteworthy, intimidating, and funny antagonist, someone like Mr. Burns--- which leads me directly into my second complaint. I was downright shocked at how little screen time the decrepit billionaire had; I can think of only one memorable (and brief) scene in the whole movie that had Mr. Burns front and center, and did Smithers even have any lines? And finally, given the aforementioned PG-13 rating, I was also dissapointed to find the featured Itchy and Scratchy sequence to be much more tame than we have come to expect from the cat-and-mouse pair. I understand trying to accomodate a broader audience and all, but I'm not even sure we saw any blood here. I won't let any of these bother me too much, though. The film format has seemingly shaken up The Simpsons camp creatively in ways television likely never could have, and is thus the most satisfying Simpsons venture in a long, long, long time.
Readers Talkback
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didn't even read it
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like they may have pulled it off. I'm researving my judgement until I've seen it with my own eyes since the last ten years have seen an ever increasing decline in quality.
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I am glad it looks like it will be good. Will definetely check it out.
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After some serious amount of negativity here this week with clouds and arachnids, its good to hear that some things dont disappoint..
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fifth!
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I didn't know Schwarzenegger was in this.
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no i don't. these are the PLANTiest PLANT reviews i've read in a long while. "10 out of 10"? "is the movie funny? The ansewr is a resounding YES"? who writes like this? not normal fans, that's for sure. although i like the fact that the PLANTS are at least making some effort - inserting obvious typos, making minor criticisms to seem like they're genuine.
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how lame is that song?
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If with each season the characters aged - so we would be able to see the characters grow and experience the stages of life we all end up going through. Would have given the shows creators more material to work with and not run out of steam like the Show has.
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they don't seem plant like to me......now the review for SM3 that looked plant like.
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was the best review I've ever read on this site. Well done sir. :)
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Hi..eh.. johnny favourite...
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hi..eh..harold angel..
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Who---aside from hack movie reviewers---ever uses that word? Sorry, just a personal pet peeve.
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If Bart's well hung, that does not refer to any pair...! Anyway, who hangs him?
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He MUST!, no excuses is I don´t see him again
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that's like the sole thing from the show that you could go crazy with in the movie, really do stuff you couldn't do in the show, and still keep the vibe genuine. too bad they have to go the 'showing a characters dick' route instead. this is gonna be a 78 minute version of the rock-and-a-hard-place trailer, mark my words......
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That's what I think has been missing from The Simpsons. The show is now just about the jokes, but before it actually had sentimental and hilarious storylines at the same time. I'm very excited to hear that it might actually be great. I will be there opening day.
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I've read. That or he actually thinks he might get a quote on the poster for giving it such high marks. Or simply he's an idiot fan boy who thinks The Simpsons can do no wrong. I'm skeptical about the film mostly because the show hasn't been hitting it's marks as often as it used to.
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Damn, you Iwontwin now I have that damn Bart Man song running round my head. On plants. I reckon the first one seems a bit green, but then I've been called a plant on at least two reviews I sent to this site because usually i can only be arsed to write a review if a love a movie and want to share that love. Needless to say when I made the effort and sent in a Spider-Man 3 reviews to warn off others to save themselves it didn't get printed. Whatever happens i'll see Simpsons as soon as humanly possible. Its the only must-see of the summer movies.
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. . . and there's always room for a Sideshow Bob storyline. They could have made this thing way longer.
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I still think it should have been made years ago, when the series was in its prime. But if this film does well with critics and audiences, it might be the shot in the arm this show needed.
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I smell the compost already
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Simpsons is OK, but Futurama was superior in every way. I think what bugs me the most about the Simpsons is that the celebrity guest stars and political/social events keep changing to reflect OUR world and timeline, but Bart, Lisa, Maggie and all the other kids have been the same age for twenty years now. It also throws the continuity WAY off when you consider that early on they established when Marge and Homer met and got married, and these days the math just doesn't add up. [p] I know it's just a cartoon, but if they're going to tie it to real dates and people, they need to progress the story a bit and make it seem like the characters actually age- even just a little. Bart can't STILL be ten years old. He's had four birthdays on the show, hasn't he?
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Test <p> Test [p] <p> Every site's HTML code has to be different, doesn't it? Why can't anyone just get carriage returns to work?
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Can't say I can take a review seriously if it compares The Simpsons to shit like Family Guy.
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"Another example, Otto the bus driver, who on the show sounds as though he is perpetually stoned but how he gets that way has only been implied….until now." - Not true, they showed Otto smoking a joint on a regular episode. He said something like "Wow, what am I smoking? Oh yeah - pot."
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More Boourns!
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I dont think the show's been on long enough for a movie.
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What's most annoying about these reviews is people spend a lot of time talking about their personal relationship with the Simpsons, how often they watch the show and who their favorite characters are. And I'm like, "I don't care?"
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I either think, "I don't care," or "This reviewer really doesn't 'get' The Simpsons." Either way, I don't see a review coming out that is going to give anyone a good idea of how good or bad the movie is.
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That's hilarious. I hope a box of Ken Burns documentaries falls on your head.
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And then have him run to the elevator crying only to be consoled by Howard Stern.
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I've never stopped watching The Simpsons and while they don't hit it out of the ballpark very often these days, the show is still hilarious. I know I'm going to love this movie and I can't wait.
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Have to agree with you all the way there. Futurama was definitely better, if only for the fact that it had overall progressing storylines--i.e. Fry and Leela's romance, the continuing-to-evolve saga of Nibbler's people--and it made for a richer experience. Thank God it's coming back. As for the aging thing, it definitely could have been done. Even Parker and Stone made a token effort at aging the South Park kids when they went into the fourth grade. Jesus, Bart and Lisa have started a new grade five or six times...but it's always the same grade! I'll see this movie, and, damn me, I am actually excited about it, but the show has been going downhill so long that the good memories of it in the beginning are actually dampened for me now. You remember when there were actually stories about Bart and Lisa and--believe it or not--third tier characters, and not just Homer being a dumbass every week? I just don't know if the movie can cut through this rut of crap they've been in for years now.
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I can't take it!
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and I am predicting this, although, predicting things is risky. This will Stomp all over Shrek at the box office. Will give other summer movies a serious run for thier money. For a number of reasons. Fans, there are people who are huge fans still after all these years. excluding the haters who hate everything. Recognitiion. We all know the simpsons. This filmm will be the biggest grossing film worldwide ever. This film will win Next years Oscar for best animated picture giving Groening and James L Brooks thier long over due industry lifetime achievement awards which the emmys have ignored for years. This one is going to be big. It is still Murdochs biggest cash cow. Groeining says that simpsons arent done yet on tv either, he says it will run beyond its 20th anniversary. The DVD is going to be a beast. I caught that marvellous episode where the writers slate Lucas. That whole jim jam bonks thing is hilarious. The scene where a drunken marge and Homer Throw him forward and back like a toy is genuis. Lucas is a short ass. Cosmic Wars more like cosmic bores.
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I really, really hope this movie does well. The closest competition is ORDER OF THE PHOENIX on July 13 and THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM on August 3rd, so the odds are pretty good...
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Spider-Man 3 or POTC:AWE hate to say it but it's true.
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Even if it "knocks one out of the park", as they say. I suspect this will be the true start of the end, for 'The Simpsons' (at least for those who have been there since right around 'Bart the Genius'). <p> </p> The show had always been the jester in the court of conglomo-business. Homer and the family could never 'sell-out' as they were products of Worldcom from the start. However, from that position 'The Simpsons' satirized wikedly the hand that fed them. Eventually the public caught on. There was that fued with President George the First (in an episde and outside of one) and the gracefull reconciliation between Marge Simpson and Barbara Bush (also real-world). As they became more acceptable, it only seemed to give them a wider audience to satirize (but somehow offend less, as time went on). Eventually, the show (in MY opinion) lost a good bit of edge, but still kept it's ambitions. Still there is a sense that it is getting old. If you saw the cast on "Inside the Actor's Studio" then maybe you saw it. The cast (at least) lacked passion. This is a job for them. A good one, to be sure, but not what they want to do till they die. <p> </p> And now we have the movie. This is not gonna be the '20 more years' kick-off. This is the start of 'taking care of unfinished business'. The jester no longer needs to tell jokes anymore (tho he still manages a few zingers). He just shows up and people laugh. Not as hard as they used to, however. Somehow, Fox will manage to keep cashing in... That's what Fox does. But the show is about over, folks. <p> </p> Personally... I hope it goes out with a BANG!
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feels like i got on nothing at all, nothing at all!!!!! Damn you SEXY FLANDERS!!!!!!
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is funnier than anything that will be in this movie
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i'll stop comparing the past 4-5 years of 'simpsons' to family guy when it stops ripping family guy off. it's the most pathetic thing ive ever seen, but youre in denial if you dont notice it. (and yeah, i'm not an idiot, i know that without the simpsons the family guy never would have existed. its come full circle.)
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...Phil O'Dendron. Let me tell you all about this fantastic movie I just saw. It's sure to be the most talked about film of the summer. And does it disappoint? Not one bit.<p>Say, would you happen to have any water on you. Thanks. And could you move just a little to your left? You're blocking my sunlight. Perfect.<p> Now where was I?<p>Oh, yes...the film.<p>It was a comedic tour de force, I tell you. Replete with fan-pleasing cameos but not too many in-jokes to prevent the casual moviegoer from enjoying it.<p>Say, I wouldn't be able to convince you to poop on me for nourishment, would I?
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I'd pay to see it.
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Played by Schwarzenegger?Or am I confused?!
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The character is President Schwarzenegger voiced by whoever does the Renier Wolfcastle voice on the show, is what it sounds like.
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That would have been great-thanks though,enrique!
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Just curious, does anyone even watch The Simpsons anymore? I thought that fad died out about 10 years ago?
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So, for anyone with more than a singular brain cell, that means people (*GASP*) still watch THE SIMPSONS and (*SECOND GASP*) continue to enjoy it. Sorry you're not one of them, but hang in there...I'm sure someone will bring THE CRITIC back someday for you to enjoy once again.
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Homer Simpson, smiling politely.
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had a leg up from The Simpsons as the storylines continued and developed. It is impossible to do that with The Simpsons...but for pure hilarity, satire, stories and heart...The Simpsons beat Futrama. If they end the series (please FOX kill it already) than they could make a feature film every so often that actually has the characters grow up...ala Futurama. Anway I am glad to hear it's good, there is also another review floating around which says it's great also.
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This week on The Simpsons, Homer becomes a pirate! Imagine the hilarity. Next week on The Simpsons, Homer builds a time machine! Imagine the hilarity. The week after that on The Simpsons, Homer becomes president! Imagine the hilarity. Yeah Spyguy I'm the one with a "singular brain cell" for not liking The Simpsons.
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Giant iPod: Nothing! We just like whipping!
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You have the face of a jerk!
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Which one is one?
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Hey, if you don't like THE SIMPSONS, fine, but obviously a lot of other people do if the show continues to remain on the air year after year. And if the only smack you can come up with is busting on "Homer becomes (fill in the blank)," then you really don't have anything intelligent or entertaining to offer us. Time to climb out of the basement and find yourself a personality.
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you really have to be sucking to run the Simpsons so far into the ground that geeks don't give a shit about the movie.
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Danny Elfman is rumored to be doing the score,but more than likely it would be handled by Alf.Clausen but since he's tied up doing the the t.v. show, it very well may be Elfman himself. (Which I believe would be the better decision)
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I'd like to see dedicated story arcs to Lou and Eddie, and, Lenny and Carl. You could leave the rest out for all I care these days. But those four? Whew! I'd crack a rib laughing. Love those bastards.
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That's my word from the council estates
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Great video interview on http://www.interviewinghollywood.com
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www.bartsballs.com
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I found the reviews to be very interesting. I was a storyboard artist on the movie and I find it great to hear you guys really liked it. I comment on how fun life on The Simpsons Movie and The Simpsons Show is on my blog at: www.luisescobarblog.com. I've been working on the show since 1993. Come by and see my blog sometime. Just don't ask me to tell you about shows that haven't aired yet because I won't.
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<a href="http://www.simpsonsporno.org">Simpsons XXX Parody</a>
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