One of the most beloved cartoon families has finally made it to the big screen! The Bob’s Burgers Movie has our favorite Belchers – Bob, Linda, Louise, Tina, and Eugene – set out on an adventure to save the restaurant.
Bob (voiced by H. John Benjamin) and Linda (voiced by John Roberts) are in a pinch. They are late on their loan payment with the bank and are in danger of having their restaurant equipment repossessed. This would effectively close Bob’s Burgers for good. Bob is understandably stressed, but Linda is ever the optimist. She knows that business is about to pick up due to the carnival’s summer season.
That is until a water main ruptures right in front of the restaurant, creating a giant sinkhole in front of the Bob’s Burgers entrance.
While Bob and Linda are dealing with the possible loss of the restaurant, the children must face their own problems. Tina (voiced by Dan Mintz) wants a summer boyfriend. Gene (voiced by Eugene Mirman) wants to show the world his band to highlight a music festival. Most surprisingly, Louise (voiced by Kristen Schaal) is suffering from a crisis of confidence.
However, the kids must put that on hold, as the sinkhole uncovers a new mystery. Deciphering this mystery could solve the family’s financial problems. Louise leads her siblings on an adventure to crack one of the biggest mysteries in Seymour Bay’s history.
Bob’s Burgers is the spiritual successor to The Simpsons. It isn’t a copycat, as it has its own unique quirkiness and style of storytelling. But the essence of the two shows makes them easily comparable. All of the characters in Bob’s Burgers are loveable, and the humor is clever, without relying on shock value for edginess. Also, the character design is unique and yet strangely familiar
Fans of Bob’s Burgers already know this, which is why this animated comedy is so beloved. The Bob’s Burgers Movie captures the show’s essence and enhances it.
Yet, that formula does beg for some criticism. This movie is enjoyable but does not quite meet the expectations of a feature-length film. Instead, it feels like an elongated season finale. There isn’t anything new to see with this family or the show’s side characters.
The writers (Loren Bouchard, Nora Smith) and Directors (Loren Bouchard, Bernard Derriman) are the same creators of the TV show. There isn’t anything wrong with having the talent connected to the show take on the responsibility of the film. Quite frankly, they deserve to take the helm of the property’s first feature.
But, not having someone with experience in film can lead to the creators replicating what they produced for the small screen. Except for a slight upgrade in the animation, this is pretty much the experience here.
Although The Bob’s Burgers Movie is formulaic, at least the formula feels good, like your favorite, cozy blanket on a Sunday night. Most importantly for the franchise, it makes you want to revisit the Belchers on TV again.
