Every once in a while, a truly must-see movie hits the big screen. Whether you think it’s worthy of $9.50 or not, the societal importance of certain flicks calls out to us. Titanic, Schindler’s List, Forrest Gump, Brokeback Mountain, and seemingly every Harry Potter movie are in the category. The Simpsons? Eh, well, that’s on the fence. The 87-minute version of the long-running animated sitcom did net more than $70 million in its first week, but it’s just a cartoon, right? Well, let’s take a closer look.

In the Stressed Out poll that’s been up for nearly two weeks, only 20% of you think The Simpsons will go down as the summer blockbuster of 2007. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, of course, leads the way with 48% of the vote. Nevertheless, here is our review of the flick starring the family from Springfield:

Simply put, it’s good, but not great.

The well-crafted story follows our favorite yellow family, as the town is battling excessive pollution. (Topical humor, of course, is classic Simpsons’ style.) The town’s lake is a mess and everyone in Springfield-from Lenny and Carl to Mayor Quimby-chips in to turn the tide. After a brief success, Homer (who else?) makes a giant blunder, which forces the U.S. government, led aptly by President Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, to take decisive and swift action.

Cut off from the world under a dome, the town is reeling. Homer, who isn’t known for his sensitive side, abandons his friends (who he doomed), picks up the family, and heads for a new life in Alaska. The new living situation is short-lived, though, as Marge, Lisa, Bart, and Maggie head back when they hear Springfield will soon be blown into oblivion. Homer then faces the difficult decision of continuing his selfish existence or “risking his life to save people he hates for reasons he doesn’t really understand.”

There is much to like about the big screen debut of Homer and Co. The plot flows. Our favorite characters (from Moe to Ned Flanders) are in fine form. And the laughter is certainly not in short supply. From the moment Ralph Wiggum appears on the 20th century Fox sign to the moment Homer is in a rush to save the town, there are chuckles and guffaws to be had.

However, if you’re looking for laugh out loud, knee slapping humor, look elsewhere.

That, sadly, is the movie’s shortcoming. As the show has gone over the past five or so seasons, so went the film. The Simpsons has entertained America for nearly two decades, but the creative, subtle humor that made it such a success has disappeared into the shadows. Punch lines with wit and catch phrases with staying power have been replaced by the occasional chuckle at Homer’s stupidity.

Still, the movie delivers on what it promises. It’s entertaining. It’s quite funny at times. There are small plot lines involving love, triumph, and Spider Pig throughout. But, one truth exists above the rest: It’s just an episode . . . only longer.

Grade: B-

Editor’s note: What did you think of the movie? Let your voice be heard by sending an email to mbriddon@hcpro.com.