The Simpsons Movie

  • Review Date: December 16, 2007
  • PG-13
  • Genre: Comedy
  • 2007
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Same hilarious but in-your-face, edgy humor as TV show.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the movie breaks no new ground content-wise (except for showing Bart's tush and penis). The same hilarious -- but intentionally in-your-face -- levels of humor apply. The movie features a few more edgy words and sight gags, but nothing comes near, say, South Park levels. Minor characters and animals are crushed, kicked, and killed off, sometimes in groan-inducing ways. Bart gets drunk, Marge and Homer share a pre-coital scene, and there are lots of jokes that reference other movies and cultural events that might go over the younger audience members' heads.

  • Homer has an epiphany that other people's feelings, especially his family's, are just as important as his own. He acts selflessly for the first time, well, ever.
  • Besides the many painful gags involving Homer, a couple minor characters die (two are smushed); a robot commits suicide; mobsters haul a dead body in a rug; an angry mob tries to lynch the Simpsons; and Homer, as always, strangles Bart.
  • Bart skateboards naked -- his butt showing and a momentary penis shot. Homer and Marge get into bed mostly undressed to make love (no nudity is shown).
  • For the most part, same as any episode: "ass," "hell," "dammit," "cojones," "crap," "god--m," "screw"
  • Just well known fictional Springfield brands like Buzz cola, Duff beer, the Kwik-E-Mart, Krusty burgers, etc. Green Day and their song "American Idiot" are spotlighted.
  • Bart drinks an entire mini bottle of whiskey; Otto smokes a bong; Homer and his bar mates drink beer at Moe's (and other places as well).

What's the story?

Springfield lovers have been waiting, like Homer drooling over an out-of-reach donut, more than 18 years for Matt Groening and James L. Brooks to get the merry geniuses behind The Simpsons to create a feature-length film. Finally, followers can see their beloved first family of animation on the big screen, and it was it worth the wait. Homer's (Dan Castellaneta) up to his usual tricks in THE SIMPSONS MOVIE when his selfishness (in this case, adopting a pig) triggers the worst emergency in Springfield's long and disaster-prone history. Meanwhile, Bart (Nancy Cartwright) starts wishing okalee-dorkily neighbor Ned Flanders (Harry Shearer) were his father, and Lisa (Yeardley Smith) falls for a young Irish activist. Marge (Julie Kavner), as always, sums up all her patience to deal with the latest family crisis.


Is it any good?

 

While The Simpsons Movie probably can't compare to any fan's favorite episodes, it's a triumphant collaboration of nearly a dozen of the series' best head-writers and producers. The result is a film that's true to its episodic roots -- tons of characters, A-list cameos, meta references -- but also appealing to even the casual or non-viewer.

Simpsons adventures are really best seen and not explained. Even a straightforward visual gag, like Bart skateboarding in the buff or Ned preparing a cup of hot cocoa, is side splitting. And then there are the deliciously intricate crowd -- or more accurately, mob -- scenes when primary, secondary, and occasional characters mix seamlessly together. Ahhh, sweet, sweet laughter. The audience at several points roared so loudly that it was hard to hear the dialogue. But you don't have to be a line-memorizing Comic-Book Guy to enjoy the film. Even the uninitiated or usually unimpressed should find plenty of opportunities to laugh so hard you cry during the 86-minute treat. Be warned though, you won't be able to stop humming "Spider-Pig" once the end credits (a perk for those who stay 'til the very end) roll.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the impact of The Simpsons on popular culture. Is the animated show's popularity even greater than that of Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Harry Potter? Is it wrong to show Bart drinking? What would really happen if a 10-year-old drank a miniature bottle of alcohol? Parents can also discuss caring about the environment and how even one person's actions make a difference.


This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
Teen, 14 years old
January 3, 2010
 
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Excellent movie! Ingenious plot, and FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY! I don't even watch the show that much, and, despite the constant "you have to be a fan" comments, I still loved it. There was one scene when Bart skateboards around town naked, which wasn't a big deal i guess, but then they had a brief moment when they showed his private. I guess it got away with the PG-13 rating because it's a cartoon.

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Parent of 11 year old
December 12, 2010
 
THE BEST MOVIE IN THE WORLD
THIS MOVIE IS THE BEST! MY FAVORITE SCENE IS IN THE IGLOO. HOMER IS SO FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I THINK IT IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY MOVIE AND EVERYONE SHOULD SEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Kid, 13 years old
November 16, 2010
 
Funny, but too explicit for who it's aimed at.
I like The Simpsons so I thought the movie would be good too, but I was shocked at some scenes! SEX There is a penis shown for about 3 seconds. Common Sense regarded this has 0 kisses (sex icon)! This made my jaw drop (the penis and how Common Sense rated it.) LANGUAGE (Mild) Godd**n, c**p, a**, hell Also, as Homer is running, he has two middle fingers up. This only lasts for 5 seconds and it's not really in your face, but observant kids will get bad ideas! VIOLENCE Some characters get killed and squashed. There's also an angry mob in one scene. Overall, it's funny but much more explicit than the cartoon.

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Teen, 14 years old
March 20, 2011
 
woohoohoofunny
iffy, a story about bart drifting away from his dad. spring field pollution. 1000 eyes trapped forever epa epa. wathch the movie and thats the summary. sexual, disturbing images.[barts 'doodle']. swearing. not for young funny classic movie for 11+

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Teen, 17 years old
January 6, 2011
 
love this movie one of the funniest movies I ever saw

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Parent of 14 year old
December 8, 2009
 
great but wish it was a bit longer
off for 8 iffy for ok 13

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Teen, 14 years old
March 22, 2011
 
Funny, but not as good as the show
This movie is for the older kids and adults, not 5 year olds. Bart goes skateboarding naked on a dare between him and homer where you see his butt and a few-second shot of the front of him. Marge says the GD word, but many other swears can be found too. Bart gets Drunk. Homer makes fun of church. To make this review shorter, if you didn't like the show, you won't like the movie.

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Kid, 12 years old
February 2, 2011
 
Funny, goofy, and a little inappropriate.
I think that this movie is hilarious, but there is one nude scene with Bart skateboarding naked. This movie is not as kid friendly as the TV show, but I would say that it is iffy for 7+. The movie is very funny and I recommend it highly.

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Kid, 12 years old
March 19, 2011
 
One of the best movies of 2007!
good movie, I love it.

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This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
Studio:Twentieth Century Fox
Director:David Silverman
Cast:Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright
Genre:Comedy
Run time:86 minutes
Theatrical release date:July 27, 2007
DVD release date:December 18, 2007
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:irreverent humor throughout.

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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