The Simpsons Movie (2007)

The Simpsons Movie (2007) is the long-awaited big-screen adaptation of the beloved animated TV series. Directed by David Silverman, the movie expands Springfield’s chaotic universe with sharper satire, bigger stakes, and a surprisingly heartfelt family story.

Detailed Summary

Springfield’s Environmental Disaster

The story begins with Green Day performing on Lake Springfield, only for the band to perish when the polluted waters dissolve their barge. This prompts Springfield to hold a town meeting, where Lisa Simpson presents the dangers of pollution. Meanwhile, Homer adopts a pig—nicknamed “Spider-Pig”—and thoughtlessly dumps a silo full of pig waste into the lake, tipping Springfield into an environmental catastrophe.

The EPA Steps In

The Environmental Protection Agency, led by the cartoonishly villainous Russ Cargill, seals Springfield under a massive glass dome to contain the pollution. The townspeople quickly discover that Homer is to blame for the mess, and an angry mob chases the Simpson family out of town.

Exile in Alaska

The Simpsons escape through a sinkhole and flee to Alaska. While the rest of the family wishes to return and save Springfield, Homer stubbornly refuses to accept responsibility, focusing only on his own comfort. Eventually, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie abandon him, leaving him to reflect on his selfishness.

Homer’s Redemption

Through a vision quest (yes, with an Inuit shaman), Homer realizes he must take responsibility and return to save his family and Springfield. Armed with newfound determination, he heads back just as Cargill plans to destroy Springfield with explosives.

The Climax in Springfield

Homer reunites with Bart, who finally respects him after they perform a motorcycle stunt to dispose of the bomb. Working together, Homer and Bart launch the bomb through the dome’s small hole, saving Springfield in the nick of time.

Movie Ending

The film ends with Springfield saved, the dome destroyed, and the Simpsons reunited. The townspeople rebuild their homes and forgive the family, largely thanks to Homer’s unlikely heroics. Marge and Homer rekindle their relationship after the turmoil, while Bart develops a stronger bond with his father. Meanwhile, Lisa gets her first real boyfriend, Colin, a fellow environmentalist, though their story fades in the background. The final notes strike a balance of satire and sincerity: Springfield goes back to its old, dysfunctional self, yet the family is more united than ever.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes. The credits include several comedic gags:

• Maggie utters her very first word: “Sequel?”
• Professor Frink rambles about scientific nonsense.
• Other Springfield characters pop up in short, humorous snippets.
  There isn’t a full sequel setup, but the “Sequel?” line is a cheeky nod to the possibility of another movie.

Type of Movie

The film is a satirical animated comedy with elements of family drama and adventure. It preserves the irreverent, self-aware tone of the series while adding cinematic scope.

Cast

• Dan Castellaneta as Homer, Grampa, Krusty, Mayor Quimby, and others
• Julie Kavner as Marge and Patty & Selma
• Nancy Cartwright as Bart and Maggie
• Yeardley Smith as Lisa
• Hank Azaria as Moe, Chief Wiggum, Apu, and more
• Harry Shearer as Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy, and others
• Albert Brooks as Russ Cargill (villain)

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Hans Zimmer, who infused traditional orchestral arrangements with playful, quirky touches to match the absurdity of Springfield. His music gave the movie a more epic, blockbuster feel compared to the TV show’s lighter score by Danny Elfman and Alf Clausen.

Filming Locations

As an animated movie, it wasn’t “filmed” in physical locations. However, production took place at Film Roman Studios and various animation facilities, with heavy involvement from the show’s long-running animators. The film’s visual design aimed to keep the look of the show while expanding its scale and detail for the big screen.

Awards and Nominations

• Nominated: Annie Awards for Best Animated Feature
• Won: Empire Award for Best Comedy
• Nominated: BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film
  Although it didn’t sweep awards, the movie was praised for successfully transitioning a TV phenomenon into a cinematic experience.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The script reportedly went through over 100 rewrites.
• The filmmakers debated whether to actually kill a major character in the movie.
• The Spider-Pig sequence was originally much shorter but became so popular during production that it was extended.
• The dome concept was pitched as a way to give the movie a “cinematic” plot that couldn’t easily be told in a TV episode.

Inspirations and References

The film draws heavily from:

• The original Simpsons TV show (of course).
• Classic disaster and environmental movies (The China Syndrome, An Inconvenient Truth).
• Satirical references to politics, corporations, and American culture.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Several deleted scenes exist, including:

• More extended gags of Springfield residents adapting to life under the dome.
• A slightly different resolution where Homer’s heroics take a darker turn before turning comedic again.
  None of these alternate endings dramatically changed the story but were cut for pacing.

Book Adaptations and Differences

There was a novelization of the film, which closely follows the plot but adds minor character moments and background details. For example, it expands on Lisa’s relationship with Colin. The core storyline remains identical.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The opening with Green Day’s environmental concert.
• Homer’s “Spider-Pig” musical number.
• Springfield being trapped under the giant glass dome.
• Homer and Bart’s motorcycle stunt to save the city.

Iconic Quotes

• Homer: “Spider-Pig, Spider-Pig, does whatever a Spider-Pig does.”
• Homer: “Marge, it takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen.”
• Bart: “This is the worst day of my life.”
• Homer: “The worst day of your life so far.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The movie begins with Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie, poking fun at itself for becoming a movie.
• The “Dome” is a possible nod to Stephen King’s Under the Dome.
• Alaska scenes parody the idea of American families fleeing to “freedom” frontiers.
• The Springfield mob chasing the Simpsons mirrors classic Frankenstein films.

Trivia

• It took almost 18 years from the show’s debut to finally make the film.
• Over 150 different drafts of the script were produced.
• The film grossed over $536 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing animated films at the time.
• The animators had to re-learn character designs for widescreen, cinematic quality.

Why Watch?

If you love The Simpsons, this is essential viewing—it captures the heart, chaos, and satire of the show while delivering bigger laughs and surprisingly emotional beats. Even if you’re not a hardcore fan, the movie works as a sharp, funny critique of family dysfunction, politics, and environmental issues.

Director’s Other Works

• Monsters, Inc. (2001) – Supervising Director
• The Road to El Dorado (2000) – Animator
• Ice Age (2002) – Animator/Director role on some sequences

Recommended Films for Fans

• South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)
• Futurama: Bender’s Big Score (2007)
• Shrek (2001)
• Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story (2005)
• Bee Movie (2007)