REVIEW OF THE BOB’S BURGERS MOVIE – Comfort Food
The beloved Belcher family of Bob’s Burgers is finally getting their long-awaited big-screen moment.
The Bob’s Burgers Movie’s premise feels like an escalation in the misadventures and misfortunes of Bob Belcher (H. Jon Benjamin), Linda Roberts (John Roberts), and their families. The family’s business is put at risk by an overdue loan. This is compounded when a sudden sinkhole forms right in front of the restaurant. It ruins Bob’s hopes for a quick cash flow in the summer.
Tina, the oldest child, is starting to question her relationship with Dan Mintz (Tina Mintz). Gene (Eugene Mirman), a middle child, is also having doubts about whether he can actually play music well, no matter how passionate. Louise (Kristen Schaal), who struggles with being called “baby” by her classmate, is the one that gets the most screentime. She tries to prove herself brave and mature to herself.
As the children and their parents attempt to fix the sinkhole, complications ensue, eventually leading to a long-running conspiracy. Along for the ride are a number of side characters from the show’s deep bench, including slimy moneybags landlord Mr Fischoeder (Kevin Klein), Mickey (John Q. Kubin) the former robber-turned-carnie, and the most realistic cop on TV, the cowardly and bungling Sgt. Bosco (Gary Cole). This movie is a great example of restraint. It doesn’t become a “who’s who” of fan favourite characters but focuses on those who are most important to the story. While this does not mean that all faves will be featured or given much screen time, the logic behind these decisions is always clear.
The plot is reminiscent of a few episodes before and it can sometimes feel like The Bob’s Burgers Movie’s trying to rehash some of its greatest hits. The similarity isn’t necessarily a bad thing when working with a show with such a high narrative average. The movie isn’t a rerun. There’s enough rhythm to keep it interesting.
The visuals are fresh and feature-film animation money is fully on display. Neighbourhoods, school halls and lush greenery teeming with energy and detail all exude vibrant, energetic energy. The colours are vivid and vibrant, and the characters’ movements are fluid. There is an uncanny valley where characters’ mouths look almost like 2D muppets. This doesn’t detract from the experience, but it does show how animation can fool your brain. The shapes that appear on-screen behave like human faces.
The show has more 3D assets than usual, which is a change from the show’s mainly 2D/drawn assets. Although it doesn’t overwhelm characters, it’s fascinating to see where and when the budget is manifested. For example, the bikes of the Belcher children suddenly seem heavier than those on them.
The visuals may be captivating and vibrant, but the characters and script move along with them at each step. It has taken the cast years to come together as a family unit on screen, and that decade-plus-old chemistry shines through. Bob and Louise are the most prominent characters, while Benjamin and Schaal make the most of their time in front of the camera.
This is not to say Bob’s Burgers’ charm has diminished – the movie is just as hilarious as ever. There are many jokes that come from every angle, including visual gags, puns and sibling rivalry. There are still more genuine emotional moments that can be expressed and made an impression. The sincerity and silliness blend perfectly together.
A few musical numbers are sprinkled throughout the film, which is a good thing for a series with a long history of original songs. These are mostly found at the end of the film, which is a little disappointing. Although a full-scale musical would not have been possible, the absence of songs in the 2nd or 3rd acts is notable.
Although the Bob’s Burgers Movie doesn’t push the boundaries or take its characters to a new world, it delivers an entertaining adventure that moves through its time without any drag. It is a story about the possibility of bad things happening and how to overcome them. It’s honest without being sacrificial, sincere without being sexy, heartfelt and not too hokey. This is a guaranteed crowd pleaser for both Bob’s Burgers fans and newbies.
