The Bob’s Burgers Movie

Directed by Loren Bouchard & Bernard Derriman - 8/10

As a fan of Bob’s Burgers, I dreaded the release of this movie, for feature films tend to be a terrible edition to the world of adult animated TV shows. Past examples have proven that animated adaptations from the small screen to the silver screen are largely mishandled and unnecessary. The Simpsons Movie tries desperately to go above and beyond, resulting in an underwhelming movie that overstays its welcome. The Futurama films are hit-or-miss, ranging from unwatchable to well-structured and compelling. However, even their best moments do not quite justify their existence (much less the existence of four feature-length movies). I was expecting The Bob’s Burgers Movie to fall somewhere in the same realm, but the film was a pleasantly surprising viewing experience that exceeded expectations by simply sticking to the formula. 

Firstly, it doesn’t rely on an encyclopedic knowledge of the TV series; it is likely enjoyable with little prior viewing of Bob’s Burgers. Viewers who are entirely unacquainted with the show may find nothing to write home about, but even the most casual of fans will certainly not be disappointed. There are plenty of call-backs to memorable moments throughout the show’s twelve seasons, but none are critical to the movie's plot. 

The movie follows the same conventions that have allowed the show to thrive for over a decade without much of a dip in quality. The film is nearly identical to the content of the newer seasons of the show, though it is considerably tighter and more manicured than the earlier, more improvisational seasons. The film doesn’t try to be anything besides a more complex version of an average Bob’s Burgers episode. Despite being five times the length of a standard episode, the movie's swift pacing allows it to fly by in what feels like no time. 

The high point of The Bob’s Burgers Movie is its stellar animation. The film seems to be working with a larger budget than a standard episode, which yielded more complex compositions and breathtaking movements. Some of the background illustrations are somewhat reminiscent of the painstakingly detailed landscapes of Studio Ghibli, emerging the viewer in a visually enthralling version of the already beloved world of Bob's Burgers. 

Like many pivotal episodes of the show, The Bob’s Burgers Movie breaks into the occasional musical number, which is one of the few pitfalls of the film. The songs are of a much lower caliber than the typical musical episodes, and they drag on for far too long. Additionally, they are sparse and forgettable - I wish the film had committed to being a complete musical or discarded the idea of including songs. The indecisive middle ground that it exists in is incomplete and disorienting. 

The Bob’s Burgers Movie is a supersized version of its tried-and-true episodic formula. It is nothing more than it needs to be and nothing less. If you’re a fan of the show or simply want to enjoy a big-budget murder-mystery-musical-comedy, then there’s no reason not to check it out.

The Bob’s Burgers Movie was released on May 27 and is currently streaming on Hulu and HBO Max.