Bob’s Burger Movie is Smart, Zan, Ugly Laugh, Summer Family Fun

Never seen a single solitary episode of this animated series, but this film has made me a forever fan of Bob’s Burger to the point I actually ran to catch at least a few of the more than 200 episodes over 12 seasons that are available.

Extremely adult in tone aka The Simpsons, “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” is an animated, musical comedy-mystery-adventure adaptation of the long-running Emmy®-winning series where the event of a ruptured water main creates a ginormous sinkhole directly in front of Bob’s Burgers.   Blocking the entrance indefinitely, it ruins the Belchers’ plans for a successful summer.  As Bob (H. Jon Benjamin) and Linda (John Roberts)  struggle to keep their business afloat, the kids are attempting to solve a mystery that could save their family’s restaurant. As the dangers mount, these underdogs help each other find hope and fight to get back behind the counter.

Not to mention, a hand drawn (a nearly lost art) animated feature has not been released since Disney released “Winnie The Pooh” in 2011.    However, thanks to the razor sharp dialogue from Nora Smith  (the series’ current show runner and Loren Bouchard, its colorful landscape and zany characters made me laugh out loud and talk to the screen, while watching the shenanigans of weaving and bobbing their way to overcoming obstacles make this film deliciously delightful.  Yet, so many nuggets, life lessons and statements around corporate greed, self acceptance, trust and judgement are dropped and not lost on its adult audience .  Even with the serious undertones, we get musical numbers that will spin in your head for hours making it easy to visualize a Broadway stage adaptation in the near future (SpongeBob Squarepants, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown).

Bouchard (along with co-director with Bernard Derriman) and Smith  keep the integrity and vibe of the series while introducing a smorgasbord of supporting characters to fill out this crazy, yet lovable cast, including a salty detective, Bob’s self-appointed best friend (Teddy voice by Larry Murphy), a criminal-turned-carnie, as well as, a sweet biker from one of the roughest parts of town.  It’s all just pure, unadulterated comedy at the highest level, which makes their renewal of a 13th season even sweeter.

Kicking off the summer box office and produced by 20th Century Studios, The Bob’s Burger Movie hits theaters on May 28th.