Simpsons Movie Trailer Hits Animation Where It Hurts

During a recent episode featuring FOX guest star Kiefer Sutherland, "The Simpsons" premiered its full-length movie trailer. Several months ago, FOX aired a teaser that contained little more than a Superman parody and Homer on the couch panicking that the movie was already being set for 2008. The producers don’t seem very panicked though, especially since this new trailer not only set a release date of July 27, 2007, but made light of the Simpsons as a product of its time in animation.

The new official trailer begins with a suite from the Nutcracker as a three-dimensional bunny dances along a meadow picking flowers. The computer-generated imagery is soon squashed by "The Simpsons Movie" logo with Moe inside and a tag that proudly proclaims "In 2-D." In an age where Tim Burton’s "Nightmare Before Christmas" is being re-released in 3-D, and even the unique stylings of Burton claymation are seen as archaic when compared to such mega-pioneers of CGI entertainment as Pixar, the Simpsons dares to be different as ever. It’s good old-fashioned animation like those of us who grew up with "The Simpsons" remember as being the norm when we were kids.

However, if the new preview is any indication, Matt Groening’s vision comprised of a natural blend of old-style animation with subtle and modest computer animation as exhibited on "Futurama" does seem to have influenced the Simpsons leap to the big screen. As Homer swings back and forth on a bulldozing ball, the presence of computer animation is obvious but not intrusive. Homer is still Homer, and the animation that is and always has been "The Simpsons" is firmly in tact. The only real difference seems to be that they are not only going for bigger and better but pulling out the best trick that only ever happened to creator Groening’s second animated gem.

Fans can view the trailer at the official movie site, TheSimpsons.com, and capture the spirit of a single sneak peak at their long-awaited dream come true, a feature-length "Simpsons" movie that is sure to bring the traditional pride of Groening’s masterpiece to new heights. Doing this without and even in spite of the expensive and extravagant digitalization of CGI successes such as "Toy Story" and "Finding Nemo" will not only prove that "The Simpsons" is for all ages and all times, but that even while Disney abandons classic animation "The Simpsons" continue to hold their own. The 18-year pop culture giant is flying right in the face of the future and doing a hilarious job of it! Check out the trailer