Yellow shots
The verdict from the Springfield Multiplex -- thumbs up for "The Simpsons Movie."
Is it the funniest movie I've ever seen in my life? Eh, no. But it will make you laugh out loud. If you're a fan of the TV show, you'll be swept up in the story.
The most important thing about the movie is that it definitively proves that the writers can come up with a story that fits the scale of the big screen. I'm eager for more Simpsons movies -- because basically from here out, the sky's the limit.
Here are four ideas I would pitch for Simpsons sequels:
[] Homer and the brood blast off across the universe to battle Kang and Kodos on their home planet. But the family gets captured and has to be rescued by the usual Springfield subjects. You know Monty Burns has a spaceship hiding somewhere. Multiplex sound systems were designed for high cosmic adventure.
[] "Krusty: The Movie." A practical joke on his TV show goes wrong, and Springfield has to battle evil circus freaks from another dimension. The tag line: "This summer: Send in the clowns!"
[] A full-bore R-rated ultimate Halloween episode. Give us gruesome cartoon fangoria!
[] My favorite: Do a Simpsons family adventure were Maggie is the main rabble-rousing 10-year-old. Lisa would be 18, Bart 20, and everyone else in Springfield a little worse for wear. Awesome opportunity to introduce new characters who would be Maggie's friends. The tag line: "I'm Maggie Simpson. Who the hell are you?"
(Note: Even though this plot would take place with everyone advanced 10 years in age, this doesn't have to take place in the "future." Here's my idea: Say this movie takes comes out in/takes place in 2010. The movie starts at the tail end of some random "Simpsons" episode that aired in 2000. But continue the action, and we see that the family immediately bumps into Professor Frink, who unleashes a time ray that kicks-starts the time continuum. "I'm sorry to report that everyone can't be the same age forever anymore. We will now start advancing in age, and thus, surely die. Ayoim!" After a little time-shift montage, we've caught up on the action.)
One final note: Every Simpsons movie, for continuity's sake, should begin with an "Itchy and Scratchy" movie. That could be their continuing "James Bond/opening 10 minutes of action" gimmick.