It has come to pass -- the third and final Life Moment of 2007's Summer Experience has been completed. I have watched The Simpsons Movie.

First of all, let me say that the visuals are gorgeous. Groening and crew have clearly learned tremendously from the power of CGI as flexed on Futurama -- and they know how to use it tastefully. The computer graphics accentuate the drawn bits, rather than overpowering them.

I also loved the story and the jokes. That magic combination of intellectual humor, sight-gags, dramatic irony, and just plain ridiculous -- it works like sorcery. We didn't see as many characters as I might have liked, but it doesn't matter because the movie is so much fun! (Is it any wonder, when Swartzwelder is in the mix?)

Seeing the Movie

We bought tickets online for the 12:01 showing last night. When we left for the theatre, harsh rain was pummeling the streets. Visibility was pretty low. Then, when we got to the cinema, the power was out! (annoyed grunt)

So I went today at noon. (Diane and I are going again tonight. She didn't want to see it twice in one day.) I got there way early, and grabbed myself a nice spot high up, away from the kids. Still, five minutes before the previews -- er, commercials before the previews -- started, this guy comes and sits right next to me. Freaky! He was later joined by three younger friends (or siblings, I dunno), so I moved over a seat.

Behind me some other kid kept asking his dad: "Why did he do that?" even though Dad shushed him every time. Fortunately, it always happened while I was laughing at a just-finished joke, so it wasn't much of a big deal. Besides, how can I get mad at them? At least they're doing their duty as intelligent moviegoers.

Okay, let's get into it. (TPCQ: "Yes, question for Miss Belamy. In episode 2F09, when Itchy plays Scratchy's skeleton like a xylophone, he strikes the same rib twice in succession, yet he produces two clearly different tones. I mean, what are we to believe, that this is some sort of a [the three nerds chuckle] magic xylophone or something? Boy, I really hope somebody got fired for that blunder.")



Spoiler City! Don't read what follows if you haven't seen the movie!

Two things which I'd hoped to be resolved before the end of the film (and which, alas, were not):

1. The Wedding Video. Homer and Marge were married -- alone -- across the state line at Shotgun Pete's Chapel and Casino. Yet the video in the movie clearly shows loved ones watching them dance. Inconceivable!
   
   
2. Russ Cargill = Hank Scorpio. It's not my fault that Albert Brooks chose to do the voice for the EPA official to perfectly match Mr. Scorpion. (TPCQ: "Don't call me that. It's Mr. Scorpio. But don't call me that, either. Call me Hank!") I kept expecting him to tear off a mask or drop a receipt for facial surgery. It would have been the perfect nod to the fans. (Not that the Springfield Gorge jump wasn't.)

If you haven't seen the movie, you shouldn't be reading this -- go see the movie. Right now.

TimeWaster™

Watch the preview, if you haven't yet. Then go see the movie.



Today I'm listening to: Mims! (This is why.. This is why..)

Check out the Spongebob version!