The Simpsons Movie

The Simpsons Movie. The film is based on the popular American animated sitcom The Simpsons, created by Matt Groening and produced by 20th Century Fox, Gracie Films, and Film Roman. The movie features the voice talents of Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, and Harry Shearer, and was directed by David Silverman, who has also worked on The Simpsons and Monsters, Inc.. The film's production involved James L. Brooks, Al Jean, and Mike Scully, who have all been involved in the production of The Simpsons and other notable shows like Frasier and The Critic.

Production

The production of the film began in 2001, with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks serving as producers, and David Silverman as the director. The film's script was written by a team of writers, including Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Sam Simon, John Swartzwelder, and George Meyer, who have all worked on The Simpsons and other notable shows like Saturday Night Live and The Larry Sanders Show. The film's animation was produced by Film Roman, which has also worked on The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and Family Guy. The film's budget was $75 million, and it was produced in association with 20th Century Fox, Gracie Films, and Film Roman, with Richard Sakai serving as an executive producer, who has also worked on The Simpsons and The Critic.

Plot

The film's plot follows the Simpson family, consisting of Homer Simpson, Marge Simpson, Bart Simpson, Lisa Simpson, and Maggie Simpson, as they try to save the town of Springfield from destruction. The film features a range of characters from The Simpsons, including Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Barney Gumble, Chief Wiggum, Krusty the Clown, Moe Szyslak, and Mr. Burns, who are all voiced by Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer. The film also features a range of guest stars, including Albert Brooks, who voices the character of Russ Cargill, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Tom Hanks, who voices the character of Tom Hanks in a self-referential cameo. The film's plot is a commentary on environmentalism and government bureaucracy, and features a range of references to American culture and politics, including George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and the Iraq War.

Music

The film's music was composed by Hans Zimmer, who has also worked on The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, and Inception. The film's soundtrack features a range of songs, including "The Simpsons Theme" by Danny Elfman, and "Spider-Pig" by Hans Zimmer and Rupert Gregson-Williams. The film's score was performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony, and was recorded at the Sony Scoring Stage in Culver City, California. The film's music has been praised by critics, with many noting its similarity to the music of The Simpsons and other animated films like Shrek and Monsters, Inc..

Release

The film was released on July 27, 2007, in the United States and Canada, and was distributed by 20th Century Fox. The film was released in a range of formats, including 35mm film, Digital cinema, and IMAX. The film's release was accompanied by a range of promotional activities, including a premiere at the Springfield monument in Springfield, Vermont, and a range of merchandising activities, including the release of The Simpsons Movie video game for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360, and Nintendo DS. The film's release was also accompanied by a range of tie-in activities, including the release of The Simpsons Season 10 on DVD, and a range of promotional partnerships with companies like 7-Eleven, Duff Beer, and Kwik-E-Mart.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising its humor, animation, and voice acting. The film holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 87%, based on 223 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The film also holds a Metacritic score of 80, based on 40 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". The film was a commercial success, grossing over $527 million at the box office worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time, along with Shrek 2, Toy Story 3, and Frozen. The film's success can be attributed to its brand recognition, with The Simpsons being one of the most popular and enduring television shows of all time, with a range of notable episodes like "Marge vs. the Monorail", Some Enchanted Evening, and "The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson".

Impact

The film's impact on popular culture has been significant, with many referencing the film's humor and satire in other television shows and films, including Family Guy, South Park, and The Cleveland Show. The film's success has also led to a range of merchandising activities, including the release of The Simpsons Movie video game, and a range of promotional partnerships with companies like 7-Eleven, Duff Beer, and Kwik-E-Mart. The film's impact on the environmental movement has also been significant, with many citing the film's commentary on environmentalism and government bureaucracy as a commentary on the state of the environment and the need for sustainability, along with other notable environmental films like An Inconvenient Truth and The Day After Tomorrow. The film has been recognized with a range of awards and nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature, and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. Category:American animated films