The Simpsons Movie proved you can make a good TV adaptation 10 years ago: Flashback Friday

LONDON – JULY 25: (UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS OUT) The Springfield town sign is displayed at the entrance to the UK premiere of ‘The Simpsons Movie’ at The O2, Greenwich on July 25, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Claire Greenway/Getty Images)

The Simpsons Movie hit theaters 10 years ago this week. A decade later, it still stands out as an example of how to adapt show into a movie and have it not be terrible.

Up until last night, the only thing I distinctly remembered from seeing The Simpsons Movie in theaters when it came out 10 years ago this week was that it was really funny—well, that and the fact that at one point in the movie you see Bart Simpson’s animated boy parts (or his “doodle” as he calls it in the movie). In honor of the film’s 10th birthday, I decided to give it another go (it’s streaming on HBO now, in case you were wondering). Watching the movie again confirmed both details I recalled (funny and “doodle”), but it also struck me as the rare show-turned-movie that actually worked.

Contemporary movie makers (and TV show runners) are all about using material that already exists to make their projects. Every reboot gets a reboot. Every sequel stretches into a franchise. Films now seem to end on a cliffhanger just on the off-chance investors want to move forward with a sequel. Enter The Simpsons Movie.

I was raised on The Simpsons. Though other parents found Homer and co. far too crude for children, my mom always liked how clever the show was and how, deep down, it was about a family that loved each other (keep in mind, though the show is coming up on its 30th season, I haven’t seen a new episode of The Simpsons in years, so if this has changed in the last 10 seasons or so, I apologize). The movie was able to capture that spirit and build on it. It feels like a really funny, maybe season 5 episode of The Simpsons, but it also feels grander than that. Aside from the aforementioned cartoon nudity, there are A-list celebrity cameos (Tom Hanks being his charming self, for example), sweeping wide shots, and an action-packed climax.

Other attempts at turning beloved TV shows into movies in recent years have been disappointing. The first Sex and the City movie was fun to watch, but lacked the depth and intelligence of the show. (The second SATC need not even be mentioned.) Entourage was a flop. CHIPS? Need I say more? Interestingly the reverse—movies into TV shows—has gone quite well judging by Fargo, Bates Motel, and Friday Night Lights‘ success.

But The Simpsons Movie found just the right balance. It’s topical (for 2007, Green Day makes an appearance) but it doesn’t feel dated, even in 2017. It pushes the boundaries of what might be in a normal episode but doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard. Basically, it’s what producers should watch next time they try to adapt any other show into a movie.

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And don’t expect a Simpsons Movie sequel anytime. According to Moviefone, logistics and money have gotten in the way in the past, and as producer Al Jean told a San Diego Comic-Con last year:

"“We talk about it, but if we do it we only want to do it if it’s going to be really good. We would never do it just to cash in, so if it comes out, it’s because we believe in it.”"

They certainly believed in the last one and it showed.