Movie Review - The Bob's Burgers Movie

 

It feels like quite a rare occurrence now when a film based on a TV show comes to the big screen. It makes us remember that not all great things must be seen on the big screen. We also have to remember the good stuff on the small screen too. Now, especially due to how cinematic most TV shows are these days. Now, we know a lot about American animated sitcoms. Some of them are great, some a very crude and over the top and some just try too hard to the point where it's somehow still going, but has lost the quality it once had. For Bob's Burgers, the show has found a way to still be funny and creative twelve seasons in and people still like it. So much so that it's now their turn to take to the big screen. What will it do that's different from what we've had before in these kinds of films. Well let's grill those patties, put them in a bun and let's find out:

It's one week before summer vacation (or holidays as we British like to call it) and the Belchers are all preparing for change. Bob (reprised by H. Jon Benjamin) and Linda (voiced by John Roberts) attempt to get an extension to their business loan, but are turned down and must attempt to make the month's payment or face repossession of all the restaurant equipment. Matters are made worse when a giant sinkhole gets in the way of the entrance to their restaurant and their landlord Calvin Fischoeder (reprised by Kevin Kline) plays on the idea of them skipping rent. As all that is happening, Tina (reprised by Dan Mintz) is having boyfriend trouble, Gene (reprised by Eugene Mirman) wants to form a band and Louise (reprised by Kristen Schaal) becomes scared of doing a stunt at school out of the fear of losing her signature hat. The plot thickens when a dead body is found in the sinkhole which prompts the Belcher children to investigate while Bob and Linda try to get money coming in, even resorting to the idea of having a grill cart which their most loyal customer Teddy (reprised by Larry Murphy) helps create.

So I think most of us have been too used to the idea that these films often put the small screen's cast of characters into a thing that could very well lead to their demise if something isn't done. Without giving too much away, we do get a sense of that towards the end, but I like how the film takes on a more original approach to it. Also, with these films, I like how they up the animation and all that while trying to retain the look we know and love. So overall, this film based on Bob's Burgers is pretty good for what it is. It's definitely a "for the fans" kind of film with its callbacks, its musical flare and answering (or rather teasing) some much-needed questions that we have had since watching the TV show. It's a fine film for what it is, but a PG rating may not have been the best age rating for it in my honest opinion. 9/10