[Spoiler alert - don't be an idiot, I mean, look at the subject line.]
3:20 am... I begin transforming my typed up half-notes, which I started typing up around 2 am from my notebook of raw notes, after getting home from the movie that I saw at 10 pm on (of course) 7/27/07. I have lots of caffeine in me so I'll do my best.
First: Was it worthwhile? I think so. I went in with high hopes and medium expectations - certainly hoping for more than what I'd get every week on the show itself, and those of you who've read my strange reviews to those episodes know what I mean. Unlike the Itchy and Scratchy Movie, I don't think I need to pay to see it 17 times, and while I might not see it again theatrically, I'll of course be glad to get it on DVD (this is regardless of the fact that I'm still getting seasons 10 and 11 on DVD automatically).
The animation - especially in the age of computer ink & paint and animation assistance, one of the various reasons to see something like this on the big screen - was indeed superb. Overall, it was consistent with what we've seen on the show in the last 4 years or so (thankfully Homer's season 13 giant muzzle is still gone), just with more extra oomph and detail. Much more so than on the small screen, the brilliant colors are particularly a treat, with everything being smooth and crisp. Some additional flourishes were found here and there - the "paper Mario" look of the opening swoop and the mob scene, the Silverman(-esque?) stuff at Homer's epiphany-seeking scene... the timing of the naked skateboarding scene... all nice touches.
The plot - well, it certainly did seem to be a good choice to sustain an 88-minute movie without feeling like it could be easily broken into several small segments (compare the Family Guy movie, Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story). On top of that, it did seem adequate support for the large scale of the action; from the various promotional clips, trailers, and teasers, I was wondering about certain moments (e.g. Lisa barging into her parents' bedroom after seeing the news report, the action-filmy power-grid-going-out scene) and if they'd fit or seem overblown, especially as I had originally gotten the idea that it was largely about Bart and Ned. The environment theme has been explored many times on the show, too, so that seems fitting.
Emotionally, I had a harder time getting into the movie...not that the last few seasons have had a lot to give as an example there. Somewhere around halfway through, that aspect started coming in - primarily things having to do with Homer and Marge, the parting of ways, the reunion (and also the two recalls of the "once in a marriage offer" and "superlative noun of my life, so far")... not enough to get teary-eyed about, but at least it's something, I guess. Probably the strongest moment for me was Marge's tape to Homer, particularly when she admitted that she'd taped over their wedding video (I really get a certain way about records and data, you see).
Despite the fact that a full soundtrack album is available (I'm waiting till the 31st, when as I understand it a deluxe version will be in stores), there are no musical numbers. Probably they'd be out of place compared to a Disney movie, but I do like several of the musical episodes, as well as many of the musical moments throughout the show. The fact that there aren't any is probably of great relief to many fans, though.
See below for a short list of things that were a little groan/cringe-inducing, as well as meta-references.
Another short list is that of episodes that had been tossed around as movie ideas over the years (that is, before being made into episodes): 8F24, 3F23, GABF18 (that last one, I believe, I read from Don Del Grande, and I don't know where he heard it). For the moment, I just wanted to comment that one thing about 3F23 (besides a certain guest star) in relation to this movie is the departure from Springfield (actually, I guess the other two have it as well!). With such a large supporting cast, it would be pretty hard to stay away from them for very long and still have the vibrant Simpsons feel - this could have been quite a downfall with those episodes, and the middle section of this feature (in Alaska) does suffer a little from that sort of withdrawal (at the "expense" of character building and whatnot, so it's not all bad)... but it's good that overall it was tied to the city of Springfield.
We'll see how replay value is - for me I might have to wait till the DVD comes out, but I might see it again before it's out of theaters. Now, some additional notes:
Itchy and Scrachy clip: a good way to get this thing started (except for Ralph in the Fox logo, pretty much a cold open). It got the theater just buzzing with laughter, almost like a warm-up act before a comedian or sitcom taping or something.
I wasn't nuts about the constant characterization of Homer as a bad father. I'm hard-pressed to come up with some really good specific examples at the moment, but it seems like even in recent years he's always at least tried - even here, it was more a case of ignorance than of wishing Bart some specific harm. On the other hand, this theme has been explored to a degree in episodes like 9F12 and 2F07, so it's not totally out of the blue; plus, his offer to let Bart hold the bomb does show he is somewhat in tune with The Boy.
A(lbert) Brooks: This was quite a surprise! I tried not to learn too much about the movie going in, and boy, about a minute into his first speech when I realized who was voicing Cargill, I lit up with delight. (Compare also my mention of 3F23 above.) I think the highlight was the "mad without power" line - almost a throwaway, but if you think about it, it makes a lot of sense.
Why doesn't anyone think to tunnel out of Springfield? I know it's not in the list of America's smartest towns, but obviously it could be done... if only to provide transport of people and items in and out while they argue with the government...
Music by Hans Zimmer. Alf Clausen is nowhere to be found. (Note also the general lack of songs, and mysterious absence even of the regular Simpsons theme.) I must wonder why this is - I know Alf is a very very very busy man just getting the regular show done, but this does seem like an important project. Or perhaps was it felt that the long format and bigger story might lend itself to something grander in the music? (I do find it hard to imagine some of the most familiar musical cues from the show fitting into the movie.)
Other general highlights: -Homer's method of getting home to his cabin in Alaska -Lisa's faint sax helping Homer locate the family -Martin beating up the bullies (can't quite figure how this fits in though - he thinks they'll all die soon?) -Maggie finishing Cargill off
DYN: ...Bart (and Maggie) plays an old-style Game Boy, from the looks of it? ...Rod and Todd have a TV in their room (between the beds)? (Odd for the Flanders home, esp. with no particular use for it) ...Bart's strangle response is involuntary? ...all TV broadcasts have visible lines in them? (One wonders how well this will turn up on a standard-def DVD) ...Homer's license plate is 1PHL07? (Significance?) ...of the 4 states that border Springfield (OH, NV, ME, KY), Ohio and Kentucky at least do touch? ...President (ahem) Schwarzenegger misses Danny Devito, who has guest-starred on the show? ...the Simpson house (among other standard locations) is right on the edge of the dome, and thus of town? ...SLH appears only twice, and (to my recollection) Snowball II not at all? ...Moe has Duff briefs? ...Marge stitches "Dome sweet dome" and "Nome sweet Nome"? ...when Marge curtseys in her nightie, she looks a lot like a season 1 model (I'd go as far as the weirdo 7G01 outtakes reel)? ...Drederick Tatum attacks the dome below the belt when no one's looking? ..."Boob lady" sounds and acts a lot like Eleanor "Cat Lady" Abernathy when first approaching Homer? ...despite Edna's sign at the Green Day concert, she and Skinner are seen hugging as Homer rides up near the end?
Previous episode references (some stronger than others - many also include only a few highlights) 9F01 (2F33): Itchy and Scratchy's "Flay Me to the Moon" uses a lunar theme 9F03: if I&S is the Simpsons universe's version of the Simpsons, then...
(DABF05, HABF12: other theatrical/stage appearances of I&S) FABF08: Homer's speech about paying to see what you can watch on TV for free 9F01: Homer doesn't want to go to church for various stated reasons BABF11: Jebus 3F02, 1F05: The church organist seen prominently DABF08: That spotlight/God thing 1F12, 3F03: Grampa left in the car BABF17: Homer's chore list that gets done in a somewhat unorthodox way 4F06: Bart hangs from a roof by his fingers 9F08: Krusty spits out a burger he's advertising (almost identical) CABF14: "Happy Together" DABF13: Bart and Homer did go fishing here 3F01: Joining the Flanders clan DABF01, 7F01: Polluted Springfield waters 3F06: Lenny and Carl clean up by the water under supervision of Burns and Smithers 3F04, 5F15, DABF03: Giant Lard Lad statue seen A handful of Rainier Wolfcastle's (oh, I mean Pres. Schwarzenegger) other goofy/non-action movies: -BABF14 as a fat man -DABF06 as a nerd -JABF06 as Mrs. Mom 8F01, CABF01: Lisa concerned about the environment and such 2F16, 2F11: The encapsulation with the dome has shades of these two episodes (in 2F11, I mean the way no one can get out of town) 5F02: Angry mob (or group) trying to get into the house AABF20: Simpsons cross over a little bridge JABF06: Marge has a keepsake cabinet in the movie - the episode began with a memories safe CABF16: "The word apology is tossed around a lot these days" / "The term soccer mom is thrown around all too often these days" 5F01: Simpsons in a seedy motel 2F08: I don't know why they'd want to go to one of the freak states (BABF16: weren't they banned, anyhow?) 9F15: Burns and the power grid reminiscent of this episode 4F10: The avalanche scene (and its timing) very much like one in this episode 3F23: Screw Springfield 3F22: Marge's "play me in VCR" note very much like Ned's helpful notes in his beach house DABF04: The way Marge makes the tape, and the general content of it, a lot like Homer in this episode 3F24: The epiphany scene is much like Homer's chili trip, in particular the "wispy" animation that kicks this off, which screams David Silverman
3F18: Aurora borealis 5F18: Homer climbing the dome is a bit like the crystal cathedral scene (thanks to my friend John for this one) GABF14: Abe's eerily accurate doomsday prediction much like Homer's in this episode 5F02: Here, CBG decides that his life of collecting comic books was a life well-spent; in that ep, he felt he'd wasted his life Todd wishes Homer were his real father - shades of 1F14, CABF16, and (with Marge) HABF07 7F06 (9F17): the famous Springfield Gorge jump updated here (note that it is labeled as such too), including the ambulance that crashed into the tree (someone near me also noticed the ambulance, and called attention to it as well) 7F09: Maggie bonks someone on the head Non-reference, though I thought it might be going there: "Colin's dead" did not precede the words "dead tired" (as in 2F01, CABF11) 7F09: much ado made of seeing Bart's doodle, but we did see a bit of David's here CABF14: Lisa's crush on Colin reminds me very much of the one on Thelonious in that episode 7F19: Lisa talks to Marge (who is trying to clean) about Colin in one scene with an energy matching her discussion of Mr. Bergstrom 7F12+: the "birds suddenly appear" song - esp. as pertaining to Marge and Homer's romance 2F10: "what a great little accident you turned out to be"; of course, all three were accidents, as (2F07) Homer was also fond of pointing out to Bart
Various non-speaking characters I noticed in crowds... very often one-shot characters, and just as often those originally voiced by celebrities: Francine (CABF11) in front row of church Don Brodka (3F07) in church Astrid Weller (AABF15) in various scenes Dr. Zweig (2F08) in various scenes Scott Christian (not seen recently) when dome approaches Mr. Lombardo (7F18) when dome approaches Alison Taylor (1F17) somewhere "Yeeeeeees" guy (not seen very much recently) Charlie from the nuclear plant Chester J. Lampwick (3F16) in the mob Mrs. Quimby in the mob (I suppose she was in GABF22) Princess Kashmir (7G10, 8F06, and so on) in a leather bikini near the end Someone who I originally thought was Hollis Hurlbut (3F13), but upon further inspection doesn't seem to be... he has paler skin... maybe the historian in 4F15? And was that Duffman, out of costume as in EABF14, in the AA meeting, or just some generic guy (among the particularly non-generic other characeters in there)?
Goofs The mailbox reads "THE FLANDERS" - this doesn't seem correct. SES has mixed-case lettering identifying it near the end of the movie, but is seen all in upper case at the start. Of course, this has been seen in several versions, but even if Homer and Marge had a wedding video, none of their family members should be in it.
Near the end, as Homer and Marge ride off, the leaves seem to be falling very slowly, as if the footage itself was slowed, before transitioning to the wood shavings.
Credits, openings, etc. -Opening: 20th century Fox logo with Ralph in the 0 singing along -No other opening credits aside from the name of the movie and part of an adapted opening sequence -I&S is seen in approximately 1.85 aspect ratio; the movie widens when the opening sequence runs (see below) -Blackboard: "I will not illegally download this movie" -Virtually all end credits are in yellow Groening font (except a few special logos, and even then, not all of the usual ones) -In cast lists at end, characters whose names we know (CBG, cat lady, etc.) are not referred to by name -Before credits scroll: text credits for 20th Century Fox, Gracie Films, Matt Groening, David Silverman, visual cast + guest stars (Note: I stay for all movie credits and thus tend to be extra amused when extra things are found in them that make people sit down again. Thus...) -Credits interruption #1: Between character list for Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer, a short scene with Burns and Smithers plays. -Karl Wiedergott as EPA Driver and "Man" (I mention this as, despite help from the Complete Guides, I still can't really pin down what he sounds like or when he's doing a voice. "Man" is about as nondescript as it gets, and I can't help thinking this was intentional) -Credits interruption #2: As credits scroll, the family is seen to be watching them, and Lisa wants to be sure no animals are harmed -Cast is listed by part, with the same 6 or 7 names showing up on almost every single line! -The pig is done by Tress MacNeille, SLH by Dan Castellaneta; where is Frank Welker? (Amusing note: someone behind me, earlier in the credits, pondered out loud who the voice of Homer is. Well done.) -Kang is listed in the credits (second to last, above Squeaky-Voiced Teen, see below), though I didn't notice Kodos listed, and I didn't notice either of them IN the movie. I heard (again, from Don Del Grande) that the two of them were going to be in the credits, excoriating the movie - perhaps this is why Kang's listed? -MPAA number: 43622 (there you go, Don!) -Credits interruption #3: As the credits come to a close, Squeaky-Voiced Teen is seen cleaning up a row of seats. (Sadly, for fans of The Critic, there is no "excuse me, sir, the show is over" moment - I consider this a missed opportunity, especially with what's next - ) -Finally, a laaaaaaarge Gracie Films logo, with standard "shh" and music, though it seems to have been redone a bit visually.
PG-13 moments: These are the only reasons I can think of. -Bart's wing-dang-doodle -Homer giving two middle fingers -Marge: "throw the God damn bomb!"
Meta-reference (and meta-theatrical) corner -First marquee at church (hey, we love our lists) is equally applicable to the movie: something on the order of "thou shalt turn off thy cell phone" -An ad crawl appears near the beginning of the movie, then even acknowledges itself (compare a similar scene in EABF09) -Bart gives a very "Do the Bartman (7F75)"-ish "whoa, mama!" when he catches a fish -Albert Brooks STILL credited as "A. Brooks" -Homer makes fun of (apparently) an Itchy and Scratchy audience for paying to see what they could watch for free on TV; arguments aside, I feel compelled to point out that my friend and I used a free-ticket certificate he got from work to get our tickets, and so technically we didn't pay to see this movie! -Moe's silhouette when he's about to approach Homer as the King of Springfield (or whatever) looks a lot like someone standing in front of the projector... either that, or someone was actually doing that right at that moment -Another church marquee (not particularly meta but it doesn't fit in elsewhere): "We told you so" -Dr. Nick, on being crushed: "Bye, everybody" -Bart plays a name prank (the treasure of Imaweiner), though not on Moe, and not on the phone
Groaning moments (say what you will, and so will I) -Green Day sinking like the Titanic -Rainier Wolfcastle actually is Schwarzenegger -Everything falling into the sinkhole -the physics of Homer riding up the dome (really, boo) -somewhat predictable second part to the prank of stealing everything from Moe -Simpsons lookalikes being caught (though compare 1F16, 3F19, and I seem to recall another sort of moment like this) -weird Disney animals and love-making scene...that was just strange -Homer's head inflating when boob lady blows in it -driving the dogs across a chasm -the actual focusing of nonexistent binoculars (unless Homer was distorting his own eyeballs to manually focus them!) -the dumb dumb wrecking ball scene that went too far... excusing the idea of Homer's destructibility (compare 2F02), what is it hanging from (when he's between a rock and a hard place), and how does it make that final extra swing? At least I knew it was coming...
Other references -"An Irritating Truth" is clearly like Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth," but for those who didn't see it, he did stand in a cherry-picker device (that worked) to illustrate a high point on a graph -Monopoly's "Get out of Jail Free" Chance card; will have to wait for the DVD to see if it's accurately drawn -"To Be Continued" ... "immediately" reminds me a bit of the short intermission in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," although that was meant to be a reference to theaters actually putting intermissions at ridiculous points; it also is like the Simpsons' own "Chief Wiggum, PI, will return... right now" (4F20).
Random DVD note I mentioned that the picture widened to the full 2.35 ratio when the movie "proper" started; I wonder how this will be handled on the DVD. Hopefully, it will be faithful; but fans of the movie "Galaxy Quest" may be aware that a similar occurrence at the start of that movie (it opened with 1.33 TV footage, then was at 1.85 until they went into space, at which point it gradually widened to 2.35) was altered on DVD (skipping straight from 1.33 to 2.35), presumably so home video viewers would not be confused. Don't let me down, Fox Home Entertainment!
Things in promos that I didn't see in the movie (thanks for making it this far!) -a particular dramatic shot of Springfield power going off in an orderly sequence -following Burns writing down that people will be killed, he notes about another event (actually, I forget what now, but it's voiceover only) that "that's really the same thing" -in some promotional footage, a pink donut is seen in place of the 0 in the 20th Century Fox logo
Well that's it. 5 am, and I haven't even said all I could. I will say, though, that except for verifying a few references on snpp.com and IMDb, I didn't look at anything else - IMDb notes or trivia, reviews, other a.t.s posts... well, I'm going to bed. Hopefully this will remain coherent in the morning.