The Woo-Hoo? Post

This week was the first week that the new Simpson’s ride is open to the public. Part of a soft-opening before the grand opening next month, the ride is already pulling in large crowds to check it out. Bruce and I stopped by yesterday to give it a whirl, and while it was an enjoyable ride and pretty funny, the whole thing failed to really strike a chord with me. I just had an overwhelming sense of ‘this is just Back to the Future with a new coat of paint’ and despite the massive Imax screen and moving vehicle-seats, I never felt like I was doing anything more than watching a Simpson’s movie while my chair wiggled. Waiting in line was pretty cool though (as cool as waiting like a lemming can be I suppose). There where flat panel TVs each with a different character on them placed in walls and behind stands that made it look like the character was actually there talking to you. Its kind of weird sounding, but works really well. The ride doesn’t take itself as seriously as many others do and pokes fun at theme park food prices, gift shop placement and queue lines, as well as even taking a few jabs at Disney and SeaWorld, which also helps take the edge off the wait. Simpson’s fans won’t be disappointed though, the whole experience drips with Springfield’s finest and their accompanying sense of humor and the production values are clearly high. I just wish they did something other than a verbatim theme-swap from the old attraction. Maybe being around theme parks has jaded me and turned me into a ride-snob. I hope so, because I really want to like this ride a lot more than I did after my initial spin. D’oh.

The Simpsons Movie Post

The Simpson’s are without a doubt one of Americas favorite TV families, and over the years we’ve come to love not only the immediate family, but the extended collective of Springfield and its crazy citizens as well. From Lenny and Carl to Groundskeeper Willie, there are so many well established an hilarious characters to choose from, it’s hard not to find something to relate to and enjoy. The movie is not too different from the show. Except maybe longer, and with more of that 3D/2D effect on cars and buildings. Little touches have been made to bring the film up to box office caliber, such as a John Williams score for dramatic flair and to add some emotion when needed, and the animation is polished a little bit. The jokes hit like regular Simpson’s episodes and the plotline and subplots all could quite easily fill 20 minute shorts on Sundays, but somehow it all comes together really well and delivers a great movie when combined.

I was surprised when they started the advertising campaign for this movie; having it center around donuts. Yeah sure Homer eats donuts at work, but was it ever a main icon for the brand? There is one scene where donuts are briefly the focal point, but it’s in passing and feels forced. I have to say I’m pleased, because I’m not a fan of the idea of summing up Springfield, and all its characters, places and charm with a donut. Of all the things you could pick… My only other gripe with the film is that many characters don’t get much screen time. While this is totally understandable considering the massive portfolio of Springfeildians, some characters like Cletus get two or three lines that could have easily been delegated out to other fan favorites in order to spread the love wider. I’m pretty sure you can catch a glimpse of everyone on the roster at one point or another during the course of the film though.

Most gags are quick payoffs and one-liners but there are a few that stick and will be remembered when people think back to not only the movie but the Simpson’s franchise in general. Spider-pig is fast becoming the most irritably easy song to have stuck in your head for hours at a time, and Bart’s nude skateboarding had the whole audience rolling in laughter. I had a grin on my face from curtain up to curtain down despite (as Homer eloquently puts it) “I can’t believe we are paying to see something we could be watching at home for free. If you ask me everyone in this movie theater is a sucker! Especially YOU”. Well this sucker’s still smiling. And I’m willing to be most people will be too after seeing this film.

The Simpsons Ride Post

So it is official now, after long being rumored and pretty much expected at this point the new ride that will replace Universal Studios recently retired Back To The Future Ride is… The Simpsons. The ride will utilized the previously existing screens and cars for BTTF but with a total Simpsons makeover and up to date technology to create a whole new experience. Set in the Krusty Land theme park the ride will most likely poke fun at theme parks from within a theme park. Promising for the Simpson’s fans out there (and everyone who got leg bruises from Back to the Future’s spastic jolting). The new article that announced the ride also hinted at the possible addition of a Harry Potter themed ride.

Harry Potter has been tied to Disney, Universal, and a few other parks in the ongoing battle to procure the rights and build an attraction. Rumors have been flying back and forth for over a year now as to which park will eventually book the license. You can read up on in at the industry insider blog Screamscape if you so care. Imagine though.. that would be pretty freaking sweet. Re-brand ‘Dragons as a broomstick themed ride, maybe a Quiddich match. Turn Mythos restaurant into Lumos or the Leaky Cauldron…. Sorry I realize that not everyone is a fan, but yeah, I’m stoked to see where this goes.