I've never watched 'Bob's Burgers,' but enjoyed the long-delayed movie so much that it convinced me to check out the show
- Warning: There are minor spoilers ahead for "The Bob's Burgers Movie."
- The film is a fun and humorous musical murder mystery.
I've never watched "Bob's Burgers" but I loved the quirky animated movie so much that it convinced me to check out the series.
Why would I want to watch a movie based on a 12-season show I've never seen before in my life?
First, I was curious to know if the film would play well with audiences who weren't familiar with the show. (Good news: It does by delivering a fun musical murder mystery that's reminiscent of a "Scooby-Doo" whodunit.)
Also as a big Disney nerd, I knew "The Bob's Burgers Movie" was one of the few remaining movies that Disney acquired from (then) 21st Century Fox in 2019 to be released theatrically while others have quietly been sold to streamers or have headed to Hulu. (Moving forward, barely any 20th Century Studios films will premiere in theaters.)
"The Bob's Burgers Movie," originally announced in 2017, follows the Belchers (parents Bob and Linda and their kids Tina, Louise, and Gene) as they prepare their burger business for a big weekend. Unfortunately, a giant sinkhole forms right outside their door. To make matters worse, the sinkhole leads to the discovery of a skeleton and a criminal investigation.
According to press notes, the script was approved in 2018, but it's a timely storyline that may feel relatable to anyone who has had a tough time making ends meet during the pandemic.
Overall, I'm really glad that I went out to see it. Not only is the movie hilarious, but its focus on a family working together to save their burger joint while getting roped into a murder mystery at the start of summer unexpectedly makes "The Bob's Burger Movie" a perfect film to kick off Memorial Day Weekend.
The animated movie is so enjoyable and endearing that it convinced me to check out the series.
As the three siblings navigate their own internal struggles of wanting to be taken more seriously (Louise), wanting to acquire a summer boyfriend (Tina), and wanting to rock out with their band (Gene), they team up to solve the murder and help keep their family business operational.
As someone who grew up with — and didn't always get along with — two younger siblings, I appreciated that "Bob's Burgers," co-directed by series creator Loren Bouchard with Bernard Derriman ("Bob's Burgers" supervising director), showcased a strong camaraderie among the trio, promoting a healthy sibling relationship instead of a rivalry.
The result is a breezy one-hour-and-42-minute comedy with humor that's lighthearted for kids while simultaneously offering subtle, mature jokes and adult concepts to keep parents entertained.
It all culminates in a delightful third-act action sequence that feels like it could be turned into a fun theme park ride (Disney, are you listening?).
While I found myself chuckling plenty throughout the film, the movie made me so invested in the Belchers that I teared up during an emotional moment that — without giving away spoilers — instantly reminded me of how I felt in theaters watching a scene in 2010's "Toy Story 3" for the first time. You'd have to be heartless to not get a bit choked up.
Before the movie ended, I knew I wanted to see if the show was available to stream (it's on Hulu) to learn more about the minor characters referenced: Louise's beloved hat and adorable flashlight friend, and Teddy, a customer who's obsessed with the Belchers.
One downside of "Bob's Burgers" was my surprise to learn this movie is also a musical, which wasn't always successful onscreen.
There are a few songs sprinkled throughout the movie that the film could've done without. Unlike Disney's "Encanto," these aren't getting any "best original song" nods.
The film answers some fan questions about Louise and Tina.
Though I didn't come into this film as a fan, it's obvious the movie provides answers to some long-standing show mysteries. There are at least three big moments in the movie involving Tina and Louise's characters.
If you've been curious about the origin of Louise's beloved pink hat that she never removes, "The Bob's Burgers Movie" will finally provide that answer.
The traditional animation of 'Bob's Burgers' works great on the big screen.
"The Bob's Burger Movie" has another aspect going for it that pulls it ahead of its animated competition as summer continues.
There's something incredibly refreshing and nostalgic about seeing a more traditional 2D animation on the big screen, especially when more animated films are moving away from that style to a more polished and refined 3D CGI look.
According to the film's production notes, Bouchard and Derriman were adamant about staying true to the show's 2D aesthetic while bringing the film to theaters. (Good for them because there's something inauthentic and jarring for audiences when a 2D show suddenly becomes 3D on the big screen. Look no further than Spongebob in his 2020 sequel.)
The 2D style alone should help the film at the box office as it competes with Pixar's much flashier "Lightyear" (also Disney-owned) in mid-June and Illumination's "Minions: The Rise of Gru," out in July.
If the film performs well, hopefully, it serves as a reminder to studios that not every animated film needs to look photorealistic or rely on 3D in order to be worthy of a theatrical release.
"The Bob's Burgers Movie," starring H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, Larry Murphy, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal, Zach Galifianakis, and Kevin Kline reprising their roles, is in theaters Friday.