We may all be missing something really important.
THE BOB’S BURGERS MOVIE is an extension of the animated show on Fox created by Loren Bouchard. Bouchard co-directs the cinematic adventure alongside Bernard Derriman (longtime animation head and director, including over 150 episodes of Bob’s Burgers). Essentially one episode blown up to the length of five, its 102-minute runtime never feels awkward. Rather, THE BOB’S BURGERS MOVIE is a comforting film where you hang out with beloved characters bringing their distinct comedic sensibilities to situations that are exaggerated versions of reality but not so much that it’s distracting. As it goes, the movie isn’t anything particularly special—though everyone should absolutely see it. But it revealed something particularly special.
Bob’s Burgers (in TV and movie form) concerns an average white family of three kids and two parents who have a coterie of colorful characters around them as they encounter relatable issues one faces in life taken to ridiculous heights. There are nods to pop culture, but not so much that there’s a required reading to get the jokes. There are pithy rejoinders that spring out of hilarious banter that feels organic to the chemistries presented, all in a world that is like ours but better—and filled with more musical numbers.
If any of this sounds familiar, that’s because I also just described the golden age of The Simpsons. Make no mistake: I am not suggesting that Bob’s Burgers is as inventive, intelligent, or funny as The Simpsons in its prime. But I am saying that the charm found in the heights of Springfield can be seen in Bouchard’s creation.
A general consensus is that from 1990’s season two until the end of season nine in 1998, The Simpsons was at its peak of writing and comedy. Those 190 episodes were consumed by millions of eyeballs across the world as sequences and quotes became the fodder for handshake passwords for the socially awkward to recognize other members of their tribe. For a whole generation (actually probably starting from ends of Gen X spilling into the beginnings of Gen Z), The Simpsons was the litmus test and gold (skinned) standard. Even if people didn’t watch the show, they would recognize the voices folks made and characters worn on t-shirts or ironically tattooed on drunken dork flesh.
Then, in true Rent Boy Theory fashion, the laughter died. That’s not exactly true but it sounds super cool and dramatic, right? As with most things, there were changings of guards and years of burning through plots; not to mention a slew of imitators and competitors nipping at their heels. And so, slowly but surely, that comforting style and comedy that hooked our brains on The Simpsons faded away, although there are certainly still fans and the show is the longest running in prime time history. Since then, every other show has chased what The Simpsons had at its apex but maybe only Rick And Morty have come close to: social ubiquity.
Which brings us back to the Belchers and THE BOB’S BURGERS MOVIE.
(L-R): Bob Belcher (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin), Linda Belcher (voiced by John Roberts), Louise Belcher (voiced by Kristen Schaal), Gene Belcher (voiced by Eugene Mirman), and Tina Belcher (voiced by Dan Mintz) in 20th Century Studios’ THE BOB’S BURGERS MOVIE. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
The film is a bit funnier than THE SIMPSONS MOVIE, which is probably the closest analog, with a similar 2D animation approach except for a few 3D sequences that are mostly used to provide greater depth of field to scenes. There are appearances, if ever brief, of beloved supporting characters and introductions of some new, though likely not permanent, folks. It’s very easy to pick up who each of the characters are and the dynamics at play, even if you are entering in without any previous knowledge. Though it says something about the esteem and renown of the two franchises that THE SIMPSONS MOVIE’s big celebrity cameo was Tom Hanks while THE BOB’S BURGERS MOVIE’s major get is the director of ROLE MODELS. But those are all just surface similarities.
What brings golden age Simpsons to mind is that THE BOB’S BURGERS MOVIE feels charming and comforting. That doesn’t mean it’s a toothless comedy where everyone gets along all the time and there are no victims of jokes or whatever “soft boi” stuff folks like to tout. Bouchard has created a world that feels like a world. When the movie starts, it’s like slipping into a pool and feeling yourself enveloped by this land with its distinct sense of timing and unique energy that is reassuring and especially notable. The same crew that worked on the show also worked on the movie (in fact their “break” between seasons was the movie, after which they went right back to work on the TV series), and this all brings along a well cultivated identity that is hilarious and delightful and, where its famed predecessor fizzled out, seems to be getting even better with time. BOB’S BURGERS MOVIE doesn’t hit those same highs, but it still finds new ways to surprise even in a well-established milieu.
Musical numbers are hilariously written and fantastically performed by the cast while the animated figures dance in spectacular fashion on the screen. None of it is ever quite flawless—series’ mains H. Jon Benjamin, Kristen Schaal, Dan Mintz, John Roberts, and Eugene Mirman can all sing but the songs seem to be purposefully written at the peaks of their ranges. The songs (also written by Loren Bouchard and Nora Smith) are extremely catchy, or extremely funny, or both, like the songs from the show or even the ones from just after the Disney renaissance. Every character looks slightly disheveled, even the posh Fischoeder brothers (voiced by Kevin Kline and Zach Galifianakis). Everything is just ever so slightly askew and that minor bit of offbeat creates a wholly innovative world of possibilities for the writers, actors, and animators.
It is a 20th Century Studios movie and therefore a Disney movie, so it’s not like a fledgling studio that needs support. Especially when Disney seems hellbent on burying all of their old Fox properties and projects that were started before the takeover with little fanfare or marketing. But I would urge everyone to go see THE BOB’S BURGERS MOVIE in theaters. On the one hand, it’s a nice salvo for 2D animation and cartoons that don’t all have that same nice but plastic CG model look. But also, you’ll find yourself tapping your toes to the same (off) beat as other people in the audience. You’ll cackle together at the insanity of Teddy (Larry Murphy), desperately devoted to the lives of the Belchers. You’ll smile at the earnest sincerity of the family sniping at each other out of genuine love.
And you’ll find a new community. Just like “me fail English that unpossible” became a passcode between new acquaintances or the epidemic of “steamed hams” that took over the internet, so too can Bob’s Burgers provide a hilarious and sorely needed comfort to people’s lives. The off kilter always need their own first family reflected upon them, and they can find it in the charm of THE BOB’S BURGERS MOVIE.
(L-R): Jimmy Pesto Jr. (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin) and Tina Belcher (voiced by Dan Mintz) in 20th Century Studios’ THE BOB’S BURGERS MOVIE. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Tags: 20th Century Studios, Alan Menken, Animation, Aziz Ansari, Bernard Derriman, Bob’s Burgers, Brian Huskey, Cartoon, comedy, Dan Mintz, David Herman, David Wain, disney, Eugene Mirman, Fox, Gary Cole, Glenn Slater, H. Jon Benjamin, Jim Dauterive, John Roberts, Kevin Kline, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Kristen Schaal, Larry Murphy, Loren Bouchard, musical, Nora Smith, Robert Lopez, Ron Lynch, Sam Seder, Stephanie Beatriz, The Bob’s Burgers Movie, The Simpsons, TV Show, Zach Galifianakis
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