Summary
The Bob’s Burgers Movie is a delightfully weird and awkward breath of fresh air.
This review of the film The Bob’s Burgers Movie does not contain spoilers.
I have never seen an episode of the long-running Fox animated series Bob’s Burgers. Loren Bouchard’s ode to anyone unafraid to let their freak flag fly, no matter how cumbersome, is a breath of awkward fresh air. The Bobs Burgers Movie is so delightfully weird, off-kilter, and steadfast in its quirk that it keeps a smile on your face for much of the bewildering ride.
Bob’s Burgers gets The Simpsons treatment with its movie that centers around the floundering burger joint with another pothole in the road. A water line ruptures under the restaurant right after Bob (Wet Hot American Summer’s H. Jon Benjamin) and Linda (My Spy’s Kristen Schall) are denied an extension on their loan. The disaster creates a gigantic sinkhole in front of their only source of income. With the help of their children, Tina (Veep’s Dan Mintz), Gene (Flight of the Concords’ Eugene Merman), and Linda (Archer’s John Roberts), the families attempt to clear the name of their landlord, Calvin Fishoeder (a delightful Kevin Kline). Why? He was arrested for murder when the children stumbled upon a dead body hidden at the bottom of the hole. If they do, they hope Fishoeder will save their beloved restaurant.
Bouchard directed and co-wrote the film with Bernard Derriman (Big Green Rabbitt), which was consistently funny and amusing. This animated comedy’s trait over so many others that failed is one thing. Bob’s Burgers is always comfortable in its skin. From the main characters, down to the supporting ones like Zach Galifianakis’s innocent yet spoiled Felix Fischoeder, to Larry Murphy’s bumbling but endearing patron Teddy, Bouchard, and Derriman embrace their character’s faults. They never mess with that vital role in the comedy. In animation or live-action, they are never to be afraid to let the joke be on their characters.
The Bob’s Burgers Movie may not reach the lofty heights of the gold standard animated series to film adaptations like The Simpson’s Movie, South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut, or Beavis and ButtHead do America. However, it’s a refreshing burst of individuality that never forgets the peculiarities and eccentricities that their fans have come to love and enjoy. Like your favorite burger, it is a big bite of comfort food you will come back for.
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