The Simpsons Movie ***1/2

Cast (voices): Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Harrry Shearer, Hank Azaria
Director: David Silverman
Running Length: 1:27
MPAA Classification: PG-13

Homer’s (Castellaneta) new pet pig is producing a large amount of waste, and when Homer dumps that waste into Lake Springfield, the toxicity threatens the environment. The government decides to quarantine the city. The Simpsons are able to escape Springfield and their rioting citizens, and head to Alaska to start fresh. Soon, word reaches then that the government has far sinister plans for Springfield, and the family heads back to try to save their home.

18 years in the making, the Simpsons finally come to the big screen, and “The Simpsons Movie” does not disappoint. Written by 11 of the show’s best writers, the story is movie worthy, and not just three episodes cobbled together. Many secondary characters are present as well to please hardcore fans of the show. The animation is bigger, crisper, and brighter. They have gone out of their way to make this movie theater-worthy, and they have succeeded. Fans will not be disappointed, and non-fans will be able to follow the story. Hopefully, the next film will not take 18 years to hit theaters.