Season 1: Beginning/Golden Age rising Seasons 2-8: Height of the Golden Age Season 6: Peak of the Golden Age Season 9: Golden Age started to decline Season 10: Golden Age ended Season 11: Silver Age begins Season 12: Resurgance Seasons 13-18: Silver Age Seasons 19-present: Modern Age

There was a period during the 1990s when it was impossible to avoid the unstoppable juggernaut that was 'the Simpsons'. The animation show aired on the FOX broadcasting network was must watch TV! However, those days are now over. With adult-driven animation shows being more couple, due to the thanks of cable networks like Comedy Central & Adult Swim, 'the Simpson' doesn't seem as funny and unique as it once was. It has really became, yesterday's news. In order to spice up, the show's ratings; in 2007, between Season 18 & Season 19, the sitcom created by Matt Groening & produced by James L. Brook, finally decided to make a full length movie with their writing and animation staff, after sitting on the idea for so long, since 1992. Thus, the first real steps of 'the Simpson Movie' was born. Directed by David Silverman, the movie tells the story of the working class family having to save Springfield from the Environmental Protection Agency, after Homer Simpson (Voiced by Dan Castellaneta), over-pollution the town's lake. Without spoiling the film, too much, I have to say, it must had been a challenge to make this movie. After all, they had to construct an overall story that they haven't done before for the die-hard fans, while, also bring forth something familiar. For the most part, they kinda achieve it. Taking elements from Season 2, Episode 4: 'Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish' & the opening parts of Season 4, Episode 12: 'Marge vs. the Monorail', 'the Simpson Movie' molded a compelling adventure story that was strong enough for movie length. Unlike, their first try, with Season 4, Episode 1: 'Kamp Krusty' idea, at which point the movie plans were dropped in favor of a season premiere. Numerous other ideas were also attempted, such as the Simpson saving the manatees, which was later used in Season 17, Episode 1 '"Bonfire of the Manatees", and a parody of 1998's 'The Truman Show'- which was later used as the plot in 2007's 'The Simpsons Game'. Groening even expressed a wish to make a musical parody of 1940's 'Fantasia', which also fell through. In the end, the environmental dome story was chosen. However, there are some debate if this story is honestly original, as some people had speculated on a perceived similarity between this movie and Stephen King's 'Under the Dome' novel. Regardless of that, the biggest flaw within this story, is how much, the sub-stories are tiresome rethread. Seeing, Ned Flanders (Voiced by Harry Shearer) try to win over, Bart Simpson (Voiced by Nancy Cartwright) felt like old news. We already saw this formula plot in past episodes like, Season 7, Episode 3 'Home Sweet Homediddly-Dum-Doodily' & others. Even the idea of Marge (Voiced by Julie Kavner) threating to leave Homer for being a selfish, apathetic dick, isn't really new. Also, the way, the movie resolve, these issues in the climax of the film, doesn't feel complete or fulfilling. If anything, Homer's normally idiotic, selfish behavior is still around in the end. It's clear, that the film doesn't know, how to do, character arches; as the epiphany really didn't do much to change or evolve him. In my opinion, the movie would had done better, if they didn't make Homer into such an unlikeable jerk. At least, the movie would be, more watchable, as we can honestly root for the protagonist, rather than being dragged along with somebody, we don't care, as much. Despite that, I think there is only one sub plot in this movie that wasn't really needed, and that was Lisa Simpson (Voiced by Yeardley Smith) falling in love. Those romantic scenes really don't add much to the main plot. Plus, her relationship with the boy never really carry on, the main show, afterwards. It was totally pointless. It felt like filler. Regardless of the flaws in the story, as a fan of 'the Simpsons', I can safely say that, outside of a few good episodes here and there, this movie has the best animation. There is noticeably more prominent shading, a broader color palette and conspicuous CGI abound, not to mention a handful of more fluidly-animated scenes which were animated in-house that was really well-put. As for the voice performers, they all do a fantastic job. Even, guest voice actors like Albert Brooks, Tom Hanks and the band, Green Day did an amazing job. As for the jokes. It was a hit and miss. Some action sequences were really funny & smart, such as the breaking the fourth wall opening act with Homer yelling at the theater or Fox running ads for shows in the bottom of the scene. Even, the political satire were hilarious and clever. I kinda dig the jab at NSA (Natural Security Agency) listening in, to everybody and the scenes where the oil companies playing Alaskans to keep quiet, while they rampage the state's natural resources. They were very interesting. However, there were some jokes that seem really dated or flew over the heads of most viewers to understand; such as parody of 2006's documentary, 'An Inconvenient Truth" & Easter eggs such as seeing a crashed ambulance near the gorge from Season 2, Episode 8 'Bart the Daredevil'. Those are a little bit, harder to catch. Regardless, the movie is probably best, watching on the internet or buying on DVD, than waiting for it to air on television; as it has been known, that certain sequences like the penis & flipping off the bird scene within the movie has be cut or altered by FOX network censors to fit in with FCC practices. Overall: While 'The Simpsons Movie' will probably not outshine any fan favorite episodes. It's still a triumphant collaboration of nearly a dozen of the series' best head-writers and producers. The result is a film that's truly worth watching for any die-hard or casual fan. Like a juicy donut, this is one movie, worth drooling, after. It's a must-watch.

Since today was rather dull, I decided that I should view another movie in my trove to critique. I was somewhat conflicted before I came to a settlement on this. I have seen this movie ever since its premiere on home video, and it's even better than I've always remembered it. Allow me to explain myself.The story essentially feels like a compilation of 3 Simpsons episodes, but it was structured differently than the TV show in order to make a film plot. As especially notable in its pacing, this works especially to its advantage, though the humor still very strongly delivers. There were many chuckles that came out of me during my viewing and even a few LOLs. One thing I was surprised about was that the slapstick was actually really funny, if familiar coming off a TV show that at that point had existed for 18 years. It has great morals about avoiding selfishness, which resonates today in a society that has become vulnerable to warping by such selfish people. Of course, I'm not going any further because... you know... Anyway, the story does offer some familiarity, but should serve as a tutorial for how to structure film versions of TV shows, much like South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut. The animation is also accustomed coming off its parent show, just with a higher budget to differentiate itself. It actually looks pretty brilliant in movie form, as the style used for The Simpsons almost always hits the intended sight gags. Being just a glorified TV episode, though, the animation does have some limitations in effects, especially considering the advancements made to CGI by 2007, but it's probably a nitpick; the animation in a film doesn't necessarily need to be sickly sweet eye candy to be fine. If you are accustomed to The Simpsons, you will know the characters, in which case the returning cast would probably become slightly less interesting. There are plenty of new characters, though, namely the fascinating villain of Russ Cargill. Cargill himself demonstrates the selfishness, as in his overreaches of power, that particularly make the morals Homer learns strong. Beyond that, it might be easy for most of you to identify with the characters, as they are written here in a way that would inform of their traits to newcomers. Oh, yeah, and the Spider-Man parody makes for one cool song. Beyond that, don't remember this film for its music; it isn't a musical, but the songs aren't that pointless depending on the scene. Once again, I have to be nitpicking here...Whether you know The Simpsons or not, I can almost guarantee that this film will lighten your day. If you aren't a fan of The Simpsons, you might enjoy it for its new characters and ideas, but even then, I have one thing to say. I never was a fan of The Simpsons to begin with for the simple reason that I almost never watched it. Yet, this film managed to entertain me to an end I cannot describe. What does this mean? It means, rhetorically speaking again, that as foreign to the source material you might be, this is not a film to look over. I might even place this, if just slightly, above Ratatouille as the best mainstream animated movie of 2007. It's that great, and I would overall recommend this movie to animation fans.

I remember watching this movie when I was a kid because I LOVED the Simpsons, it was pretty funny, and we won't ever be able to "unsee" that scene where we see... um.... you'll know if you've watched the movie. Can't spoil it.Thanks, David Silverman!