"The Bob's Burgers Movie" review — animated film sizzles with laughs, family, and a whole lot of burger grease
“It’s gonna be the sunny side up summer of our lives!”
Summer is right around the corner. The school year is near its end, the weather is growing increasingly warmer, and blue skies fill the future of many in the unnamed East coast town. However, in Bob’s Burgers, a little burger shop conveniently located on Ocean Avenue, things aren’t looking so promising. Instead of sunshine, their days are overcast by an upcoming deadline on their loans that the family-run business simply can’t afford. Things only get worse when a burst water main causes a sinkhole to form right outside their front door ruining any potential early-summer foot traffic. And then, to top it all off, a skeleton related to a years-old cold case is uncovered in the sinkhole.
Spinning off of the Fox animated series Bob’s Burgers, which recently concluded its twelfth season, the aptly named Bob’s Burgers Movie is written and directed by series creator Loren Bouchard, co-directed by series producer Bernard Derriman and co-written by Nora Smith. Having been delayed some two years from its original release date, The Bob’s Burgers Movie comes ripping into cinemas with all of the heart, dry wit, explosive animation, and endearing family dynamics that have defined the series. The film is a welcome addition to the series of long-time fans and casual viewers, while never playing heavily enough into the established canon to isolate new viewers. With excellent humour, lovable characters, and an array of catchy songs, The Bob’s Burgers Movie is an energetic delight.
Set in the accident-prone burger shop of Bob’s Burgers, the film follows the five members of the Belcher family after their restaurant winds up in the middle of an ongoing criminal investigation. Parents Bob and Linda (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin and John Roberts respectively), along with handyman, friend, and their best customer Teddy (Larry Murphy), desperately find ways to raise money to pay off the restaurant’s crippling debt. Meanwhile, the three Belcher children — soft-spoken eldest daughter Tina (Dan Mintz), chaotic middle son Gene (Eugene Mirman), and the fearless youngest child Louise (Kristen Schaal) — set out to solve the film’s central murder mystery and clear the name of their rich-yet-cheap landlord and suspect numero uno, Clavin Fischoeder (Kevin Kline).
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| Gene, Louise, and Tina hot on the trail. Photo: 20th Century Studios. |
In a move that proves to work to the film’s advantage, The Bob’s Burgers Movie feels like a feature-length episode of the series without ever compromising on its new-found cinematic qualities. The animation is higher quality than is possible in a 23-episode television season without losing its distinctive style. The story feels worthy of the cinematic format without unnecessarily changing the narrative style of the show. The aspect ratio, however, shifts from the show’s 16:9 to a theatrical 2.39:1. The film cannot do much to radically alter the status quo that gives the series its name, but its inoffensive and fairly relaxed nature gives it enough room to have fun with the story. It does mean that the film can feel a little too laid back, but the genuine humour and character dynamics keep it sailing. The jokes come quickly and the film will leave a smile on just about anyone’s face.
In many ways, The Bob’s Burgers Movie feels like a well-made burger. It’s simple and unassuming but biting in provides a satisfying mixture of predictable, yet delicious ingredients. It does what it promises to do — nothing more, nothing less. With a brilliant cast of characters and a joke-ridden story, the film is an excellent start to the season and a worthy addition to the legacy of the show. Whether this is your 239th meal at the burger joint or your first, The Bob’s Burgers Movie is a steller musical comedy that will delight and entertain.
The Bob’s Burgers Movie is now playing in theatres.
Directed by Loren Bouchard and Bernard Derriman
Written by Loren Bouchard and Nora Smith
Starring H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, Larry Murphy, John Roberts, and Kristen Schaal
Released 27 May 2022
102 minutes
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