PLOT: Desperate to keep his restaurant afloat, Bob Belcher has a heck of a problem. He owes a loan that he can’t currently afford, and rent in due. Things get even worse when a sinkhole opens up in front of his establishment. Can the Belcher family figure this mess out? You’ll have to watch to find out.
REVIEW: It can be tricky to bring an animated sitcom to the big screen. Stretching a half-hour series to a feature-length film isn’t always a satisfying experience. Sometimes getting too ambitious and overblown, or it feels like a too long, drawn-out episode. Then there is the latest attempt, The Bob’s Burgers Movie. The wacky adventures of Bob Belcher, his wife Linda, and their three children, Louise, Tina, and Gene, is a clever and enjoyable series. And in the feature film adaptation of the show, directors Loren Bouchard and Bernard Derriman keep the small screen charms and add a few musical numbers and a big adventure for the Belchers to experience.
Bob Belcher (H. Jon Benjamin) is not having a good day. Rent is due on his restaurant, yet business has been slow. He also just spent a ton on restaurant supplies. While his wife Linda (John Roberts) and his three children Louise (Kristen Schaal), Tina (Dan Mintz), and Gene (Eugene Mirman) attempt to cheer him up, the money problems don’t help. Unfortunately, things get much worse when a massive sinkhole opens up, blocking the entrance to their burger establishment. And yes, folks, it gets worse when they discover the skeletal remains of a human buried in the sinkhole. The adventure leads to a mystery for the kids to solve and the parents’ desperate attempt to save their restaurant. And it’s charming as hell.
When it comes to the animated television series, I’m what you’d call a casual viewer. Yet over the past couple of years, I’ve embraced it more and more. I was enough of a fan to be curious to see how it would hold up with a longer runtime. And happily, it works incredibly well. Similar to South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut, The Bob’s Burgers Movie adds a musical element as well. Unlike the big-screen take of South Park, you won’t find anything remotely offensive in this cheery and enjoyable tale. While the official rating is PG-13, it honestly should simply be PG. Aside from a couple of scary moments involving finding the skeleton, and an entertainingly goofy villain with dastardly devious plans, it’s all pretty adorable.
While the film offers a ton of inventive sequences, including one at a homeless compound, it still feels like the spirit of the series. You can’t help but appreciate the sweetness of Linda’s exaggerated attempts to help her husband. The donut suit is especially odd, but these characters make it work. And watching Louise, Gene, and Tina trying to find out the secrets revealed in the sinkhole is an absolute joy. You have to credit the vocal talents of H. Jon Benjamin, Kristen Schaal, Dan Mintz, John Roberts, and Eugene Mirman. With that kind of talent, you don’t need much else. Although bringing on Zach Galifianakis, David Wain, Kevin Kline, and Gary Cole certainly help. Add a myriad of others involved, and it all makes for a fun and entertaining animated tale.
Another positive element is the script and story. It’s a creative take on a series. While it may feel more like an extended episode, that’s not a complaint. One of the reasons the series works is the quirky stories the family finds themselves in. And they are certainly in that situation here. The final act includes a sweetly exuberant action-packed sequence. Yes, it’s even a little exciting. Yet the goofy charms of the family and Bob’s dry wit are always in abundance. If you are a fan of the series, it’s a no-brainer, you’ll dig this and all the fun surprises you’ll find. And if you have no idea who Bob is and don’t care about his burgers, you still may find yourself smiling ear to ear.
The Bob’s Burger Movie is a treat. It may feel like an extended episode, but there is enough care and energy to make it worth a big-screen watch. The musical numbers aren’t necessarily showstoppers, but the delightful characters make it work. It’s a movie made for fans of the series. However, if you bring a friend who isn’t familiar with it, there’s a great chance they will dig this moviegoing experience of Bob and his family. I enjoyed The Bob’s Burger Movie. I frankly look forward to checking this lighthearted romp out once again. If you want a fun family flick and have a hankering for hamburgers, you will want to check this out. The new film opens in theatres this Friday, and that burger stand is a great place to visit.
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