While a 'Save-The-Environment' campaign sweeps Springfield and Lisa Simpson rallies support for the campaign, her father, Homer, mistakenly dumps wastes into the town's river. This sets a lynch mob after Homer and his family and they are forced to flee to Alaska. Meanwhile, the US government carries out a radical plan to contain the town - and it is up to the Simpsons to come to the town's rescue.

In true "Simpsons" fashion, this feature-length undertaking of the hit TV animation series does not stray from its roots. Everything we've come to love (and hate) about the series is simply blown-up to fit cinema screens without losing the cartoon's essence. In short, this film is classically "Simpsons".

In an era of 3Ds and CGs (computer graphics), "The Simpsons Movie" emerges as the black sheep of cinematic chum. It refuses to submit to the demands of the masses but yet earns its own respect. Fans love "The Simpsons" for that very reason and it is that non-conforming attitude that catapulted it to the cult hit it has become today.

The plot serving is reminiscent to that of the TV series - one seemingly odd event leads to another - but this time, it's on a bigger scale. The fate of the Simpson family's beloved hometown, Springfield, hangs in the balance and there's no guessing who started the whole shebang if not the empty-headed father himself, Homer.

The humour is absolutely hilarious if you've grown (and learned) to love it after all these years. Despite their eccentricities, the Simpson family is a rainbow-like bunch of characters. Yes, it is 'idiot humour' to some but that's what makes it so great in the first place. No one else makes you laugh like they do. Who else can get away with flashing his cartoon penis on screen but Bart Simpson himself?

However, there is one thing unique about the big-screen version - free-style camera angles. It's a welcomed effect as it doesn't intrude on any other aspect of the film and you hardly notice the difference. The only downside is how I wished there had been more specially invited celebrity voice-overs. Among those who made their '2D appearance' in the film include Tom Hanks and members of the punk-rock band Green Day. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been elected as the US President in the fictional world of "The Simpsons Movie" but sadly, the 'Terminator' himself did not voice his character.

All in all, "The Simpsons Movie" turns out to be the lovechild between "The Simpsons" TV series and its fans all over the world. Oh, what a 'worth it' mistake it was.

When "The Simpsons" was introduced to America in 1987 (on the Tracey Ullman Show), its satire about a dysfunctional Middle-America family captured the fancy of viewers. Since the debut of the series in December 1989, the show has aired 400 episodes over 18 seasons.

That's a lot of water under the proverbial bridge, considering that the 'dysfunctional American family' format has been copied by other animated TV series like "South Park", "The Family Guy" and "American Dad" which all compete among themselves to test the limits of decency with sexual innuendoes and gay themes. In America, many parents would not allow their children to watch these family cartoons.

Now, would such 'sweet controversy' dog "The Simpsons Movie" and give the other copycats a run for the money? Are we going to gasp in horror at the antics of Homer and Bart as they break another sacred American taboo?

Well, not really, unless you consider a glimpse of a naked Bart's weenie a major movie taboo! No sir, this big screen version is rather tame and kosher - as the producers seem to be playing it safe for the global market.

The plot opens with a 'Save-the-Environment' campaign being run in Springfield as Lisa Simpson (voice of Yeardley Smith) tries to rally support for her Green Earth beliefs. As usual, we can expect Daddy Homer (Dan Castellaneta) to foul things up by dumping a load of animal waste into the river. This sets the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) headed by Russ Cargill (Albert Brooks) to employ a radical solution to 'contain' the problem, which, in turn, sets off a lynch mob against the Simpson family. They escape to a neighbouring country but before they can settle down to a fresh start, Mummy Marge (Julie Kavner) decides to return to Springfield to save the town from destruction.

One of the problems with this comedy is that the gags are so typically American that many of them are lost on our audience. One has to be a Simpsons fan to appreciate its rebellious humour and root for its characters. Homer, for example, is such a failure of a father that he can only exist in extreme caricature. He has always to be redeemed by the other family members (notably, Marge) in almost every episode and especially in this movie. Yes, it has become that predictable.

Still, there are some 'clever' moments, like the spoof on US President (Arnold) Schwarzenegger (Harry Shearer) who claims his job is 'to lead and not read' government policies; a surprise 'cameo' by Tom Hanks, and a Russ Cargill who reminds us of a US politician-turned-bleeding heart environmentalist.

I also like the subplot about Bart's relationship with his neighbour, Mr Flanders, and Lisa's budding romance with an Irish kid. These help to develop the characters and lend credence to the story. However, that 'touch of controversy' - the compelling factor that makes us plonk out 10 bucks for the movie - is missing here.

Come to think of it, I had laughed more watching the TV episodes than I did at this movie. (Note: Please stay back for the gags at the end credits - presumably an attempt by the film-makers to augment the comedy).