
Directed By:
Loren Bouchard, Bernard Derriman
Written By:
Nora Smith, Loren Bouchard, Jim Dauterive Stars
Starring:
H. Jon Benjamin, Kristen Schaal, Dan Mintz
Genre:
Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Rated: PG-13 for rude/suggestive material and language
All media used courtesy of 20th Century Studios
Allriiiight! New Bob’s Burgers Movie!
Had to do my best Linda for the review, as I’m a fair bog Bob’s Burgers fan since it first aired. There’s always been something with me on Sundays and adult animation comedies. From The Simpsons, Family Guy, South Park, and Rick & Morty, they all carry a soft spot with me. But even being the fan I am, I am always skeptical when an animated show transfers to the big screen. The Simpsons Movie was one of the first to attempt it, and though it grossed about half a million at the box office, it failed to really hit a cinematic level, but felt more like an elongated episode of the show you already know and love.
With The Bob’s Burgers Movie, an enormous sinkhole has opened up right in front of Bob and Linda Belcher’s restaurant. What’s more interesting is in the sinkhole is a body! Now a murder mystery has begun, and the Belchers will have to try and solve the murder if they are able to pay off their loan to the bank, by saving the suspect from life in prison. There’s singing, dancing, farts, and butts, everything you’d hope to have with a Bob’s Burgers film. But much like The Simpsons Movie, it fails to hit the levels of justification for putting it up on the big screen, but audiences will still have fun.
There are new elements to the animation style, opting for more 3D panning shots that still to me feel off-putting, although I understand the director wanting to opt for a new visual style to emphasize the big-screen feel. If there’s anything to gain from seeing this in the theater as opposed to on the couch, it’s if you enjoy laughing with a crowd. The jokes come fast and lots are missed, or some jokes get a couple of laughs while others the larger guffaws from the majority of viewers. Maybe getting the chance to watch privately would allow you to hear every joke the film has, but you’re less likely to get that communal experience at home.
The musical aspect of the film is done much like you’ve seen if you’re a regular viewer of the show. They have a bit more autotune to the songs, and the numbers are certainly enjoyable, but it’s still not anything we haven’t seen already with the show. There is a storyline with Louis that’s been covered in some capacity but really gets explored here. Kristen Schaal is great in the role, as well are the entire voice cast if you go on IMDB you’ll be shocked who’s featured in the movie.
Overall, The Bob’s Burgers Movie does its job with great pacing and runtime for the story they’re telling. If you’re a fan of the show and would love to have a communal experience watching it, this will be great for you. Older kids that can handle more crass jokes would love to be taken even if they haven’t seen the show, but in the end, this is more or less just 3 really fun episodes edited together.