Film Review: "The Bob's Burgers Movie"

Animated half-hour network comedies are some of the most popular forms of television around. Shows like “SpongeBob Squarepants,” “The Simpsons,” and even “Family Guy” are mindless easy viewing. They’re thirty-minute adventures that help audiences escape from the trials and tribulations of the real world. The success of these shows makes it easy to understand why these networks want feature films. “Bob’s Burgers” is a newer example of a half-hour comedy for modern audiences. Out of all of the shows listed above, the titular characters of “Bob’s Burgers” make for a unique big-screen adaption.  “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” follows the Belcher family as they prepare for the busy business of summer.  They’re forced to deal with a variety of issues including a sinkhole forming in front of their restaurant and trying to solve a mystery to save their business. 

What’s very enjoyable about the television show is how it balances both the weirdness with its heart.  Add in catchy musical numbers and a barrage of quippy dialogue and you have “The Bob’s Burgers Movie.”  How much you’ll enjoy the film primarily depends on if you’re already a fan of this show going in. The jokes are delivered at a rapid pace with a screenplay that expects audiences to be well-versed in the world. If you’re not already on board for the more eccentric nature, the film won’t win you over.  It’s easy to tap into director Loren Bouchard and Bernard Derriman’s narrative wavelength; several inside jokes could leave you scratching your head. The thing that’s hard to deny is the charm that this world has if you’re willing to go along with it.

All of the Belchers are distinct enough personalities that, even if you are not a fan of the show, can be easy to connect with. Bob’s dry wit, Linda’s larger-than-life energy, Tina’s deadpan deliver, Gene’s weirdness, and Louise’s sneakiness are so distinct. Each of these characters is given room to have distinct and funny moments. Much like the television show where we may get an episode focused on a certain character, the film gives them room to breathe.  The same could be said for the colorful cast of supporting characters, many of which are favorites amongst die-hard fans. Some are admittedly just cameos, but others deliver such solid and unexpected belly laughs! Even with how many laughs I had in the film's 102-minute running time, there was just one question I couldn’t help but ask myself: Is this film necessary and worth going to the theater to see? Especially when there are 238 episodes available to watch in the comfort of your own home?

The unfortunate answer for “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” is a resounding “no.” There’s certainly nothing in the film that’s outright “bad,” but nothing majorly impressive. These characters' charm is there, and it's as vibrant as ever, but not necessarily new.  Die-hard fans will get answers to some of the show’s mysteries, but I was left wanting more. Stylistically, the film looks like something that demands the big-screen treatment. Story-wise, the film plays out like nothing more than an extended episode. As something meant to be “cinematic,” I couldn’t help but ponder about the comfortable couch and the hours of hilarious episodes available at home. 

It’s an undeniable fact that “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” is going to appease the audience who craves it. They will easily find enough savory delights to warrant the high price of a ticket to the theaters. Even the average fan of the material will find some nuggets of charm that may be satisfying enough. While stocked with many nice and enjoyable pieces, the whole is less than the sum of its parts. Some may find the ending meal to be satisfying enough, but I was left asking what makes this story cinematic? It’s certainly got the animation budget of a feature film, but none of the stakes. These characters never make it boring, but never quite crack through the perimeter to make the feature film special.