Film Review: The Bob’s Burgers Movie (2022)
by Emily Nagle
“The Bob’s Burgers Movie” is fresh off the grill and playing at theaters around the United States. Based on Fox’s animated series that premiered in early 2011, this musical comedy follows the Belcher family’s fight to save their burger joint after a giant sinkhole opens right outside the door of the restaurant, and they have to pay off a loan in one week. Meanwhile, the kids end up uncovering a murder mystery.
I’ve been watching “Bob’s Burgers” since it first aired on television more than 10 years ago, and it has a special place in my heart. Having grown up watching it, “Bob’s Burgers” always stood out to me against the sea of adult animated shows, deriving comedy from witty dialogue and thought-out character development, rather than shock value. Instead of being this crazy, over-the-top show, it’s just the story of an ordinary family running a humble burger restaurant in a seaside town. We’re dragged along for the misadventures of Bob (H. Jon Benjamin), Linda (John Roberts), and their kids: socially awkward Tina (Dan Mintz), enthusiastic Gene (Eugene Mirman), and mischievous Louise (Kristen Schaal).
“The Bob’s Burgers Movie” kicks off strong, and you’ll fall in love within the first 5 minutes! Summer is just around the corner, and the Belchers express their hopes and dreams for the season in the catchy, upbeat musical number “Sunny Side Up Summer”. The polished animation style was the first aspect to rope me in. It’s hard to believe the whole film is animated in 2D, because the animation has so much depth! It’s clear the animators took time to make it feel like you’re right there with the Belchers on Ocean Avenue. The little things are what left a lasting impression on me, like a shots where it panned through the wall of Linda and Bob’s bedroom into the hallway of their apartment, where Louise has been overhearing their conversation. There’s shots like that in the show, but in the movie they’re so smooth to the point where they feel 3D.
Another one of the film’s strong points is its soundtrack. “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” is a musical comedy, and features several original songs to progress the film’s plot. My only complaint was that I wish there were more songs! “Sunny Side Up Summer” is the first song, and arguably the best one because it introduces the whole family, with each character having their own verse that fits their personality. In fact, I think I’ll go so far to say that if there’s someone in the theater who has never watched “Bob’s Burgers”, then this song adequately sets the stage, establishing all the characters’ unique personalities.
This film’s plot has a particular focus on Louise. Anyone who’s seen “Bob’s Burgers” knows this precocious nine-year-old can be manipulative and aggressive towards others, exploiting people to her advantage. In the movie, Louise’s primary motivation for solving the mystery is to prove herself to her peers after they call her a baby for not wanting to lose her signature bunny hat on the playground. Toward the end, we receive an emotional backstory behind why she’s never been seen without her hat in the show’s entire 11-year history: Linda made the hat for Louise after she bravely completed her first day of preschool, and it reminds Bob of his mother, who frequently sported a knitted pink hat.
Watching this fearless little girl grapple with insecurity adds a layer of humanity, and makes her more relatable to viewers like myself. Who doesn’t remember being a kid, and feeling tempted to feed into peer pressure just so they can fit in?
I wouldn’t say you have to be super familiar with “Bob’s Burgers” to enjoy this movie. It’s a fun musical murder mystery, and a love letter to traditional animation. “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” has the clever humor of the series, and boasts stunning visuals and catchy songs. This summer blockbuster is sure to satisfy audiences across the world!