Die Simpsons: Der Film

In spite of the fact that the last few seasons are going on inertia and lack any good comedy (the first eight seasons are absolutely unbeatable), the first “feature length episode” is proof that the people around Matt Groening have not yet run out of ammo. Especially the first half the film is lethal in the number of jokes and references, even the (bellow)average ones. But it’s still true, as with Asterix, that the Simpsons are not primarily for small children and their humour is appreciated by a more mature and informed audience. Also thanks to the funny references to anything, starting with Arnie's ambitions, ending with the current global warming phenomenon (I was probably the only one to laugh in the whole cinema at the reference to Al-Gore's forklift during Lisa's lecture). Best joke? The change of personnel at Moe’s Bar before Armageddon, when the pansies go drinking and the drunks go praying :o) (31.07.2007)

Although the last few seasons have slowly but surely shown a fading cadence of jokes, the feature film once again raises the flag of the ship of humor and catchphrases to the very top of the mast. Sure, at 20 minutes, it would be the ultimate concentrate, but even so, it's a perfect example of what has made The Simpsons brilliant for 19 years - drilling down into everything that's going on in America right now: family, politics, celebrity, and religion, all while royally entertaining viewers of all ages. I've watched The Simpsons with my younger siblings (ages 11 and 13) and it's funny to see how everyone approaches each gag differently and still has a great time. Bravo! (17.01.2008)

This film about the Simpsons can be introduced in the style of the well-known joke about bad news and good news. Which one should I start with? Okay, the good news. The film is the same as the TV show. The same humor, gags, ironic exaggeration, and pace. Fans of the show will definitely not be disappointed by the film, and those who give the TV show five stars can confidently give the same number to the film. And now the bad news. The Simpsons Movie is exactly the same as the TV show. At the beginning is a scene where the creators parody themselves as the family sits in a theater and watches the movie screen, where Itchy and Scratchy are chasing each other. After a while, Homer shakes his head in confusion and says, "Why waste money on a ticket when I can watch it for free on TV?" The Simpsons are missing the most important thing that makes a film a film. A film screenplay. A film theme that would justify the creation of a feature film. If I were to watch 3-4 episodes of the TV show in a row, it would have practically the same effect. Seeing this episode at home on the screen, I would be satisfied, but at the movie theater, I would be a bit disappointed. Overall impression: 90%. (26.10.2007)

The best episodes of The Simpsons have always been based on simplicity – things went downhill when they started going too over the top or relying on Homer's endless stupidity. As expected, the film avoids neither, gluing together disparate themes, trying to give space to too many characters (who don't move the plot along) and making the most of Homer's intellectual Neanderthalism, but it's not bad. There are plenty of really good jokes, and the story thrives where the show has always been very strong: in the interaction and personal development of the family members, who are first separated and then more tightly bound together by some crazy event, most often caused by Homer. This pattern is then quite skillfully fitted with both the mandatory outcomes of the side characters or the emergence of new and entertaining characters (the head of the EPA is pretty good), as well as the standard moral and social lessons. I certainly would have liked to see a more coherent and cohesive film that stuck to a simple concept in the style of the early episodes, but even as a die-hard Simpsonsphile, this one pleased the hell out of me and didn't disappoint. (03.05.2011)

When you’re constantly laughing, you don't have much time to notice the shortcomings. The gags come literally one after the other and there are as many references to everything (from president Schwarzenegger to Tom Hanks and beyond) as there are doughnuts in a supermarket. Zimmer's music is excellent as is the unconventional animation, and Homer and his Spider Pig will stay in your memory forever. The Simpsons did a perfect job with their first film. And now I, like a certain little lady, ask: "Will there be a second one?" (24.08.2007)