After a long wait of nine years when studio Twentieth Century Fox first mooted a film version of the popular television show the end product has finally arrived. Has it been worth the wait? The answer is a resounding yes. The show has been looking distinctly ropey of late, the gags and storylines beginning to creak, wane and fall short of hitting the mark. Fortunately what could have been just an extended television episode has been deftly avoided.
The writers have managed to come up with an original storyline and a predicament that justifies the movie treatment for our favourite yellow family.
The ever-zealous Lisa Simpson galvanises the town into action after a concert given by the band ‘Green Day’ ends with the town’s population responsible for the sinking of the barge that is carrying them. The state of the lake is worsening and clearly an environmental hazard so the town decides to clean it up and also ban the dumping of any more waste there. Of course, Homer, being the lovable clumsy oaf that he is manages to dump the silo containing the waste from his adopted pig into the lake thus polluting it once more. President Schwarzenegger is persuaded by Russ Cargill, the head of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to put a dome over the town of Springfield to imprison the population. The town’s population turn into an angry mob and the Simpson family are forced to flee for their lives, eventually settling in Alaska.
Whilst enjoying their new lives Marge discovers thanks to a news report that Springfield is to be destroyed and pleads with Homer to return and save it. So, environmental message in place? Check. Epic predicament in place? Check. Homer bumbling in a comic way? Check. All our favourite characters present? Check.
Its all here and fans will not be disappointed. The film looks great. There are plenty of big stunts and a hilarious sequence where a naked Bart skateboards through Springfield. There is the usual political satire undercutting everything with plenty of sly cultural references. Slapstick and physical comedy abound, especially with a character like Homer. There is something for everyone, the children will love the action and the adults will smile knowingly at the in-jokes and movie references. It is trim at 85 minutes and thus does not outstay its welcome. The pacing is fast and it justifies its transition to the big screen. Big-hearted and hugely enjoyable I defy anyone to not to enjoy something from this long awaited caper.
Films 
