Why We Rated This Appropriate for Ages 12 and UP

What to watch out for

• Drugs:

  Bart drinks an entire mini bottle of whiskey; Otto smokes a bong; Homer and his bar mates drink beer at Moe's (and other places as well).

• Language:

  For the most part, same as any episode: "ass," "hell," "dammit," "cojones," "crap," "god--m," "screw"

• Violence:

  Besides the many painful gags involving Homer, a couple minor characters die (two are smushed); a robot commits suicide; mobsters haul a dead body in a rug; an angry mob tries to lynch the Simpsons; and Homer, as always, strangles Bart.

• Messages

• Sex:

  Bart skateboards naked -- his butt showing and a momentary penis shot. Homer and Marge get into bed mostly undressed to make love (no nudity is shown).

• Consumerism:

  Just well known fictional Springfield brands like Buzz cola, Duff beer, the Kwik-E-Mart, Krusty burgers, etc. Green Day and their song "American Idiot" are spotlighted.

What Parents Need to Know

About TheSimpsons Movie

Parents need to know that the movie breaks no new ground content-wise (except for showing Bart's tush and penis). The same hilarious -- but intentionally in-your-face -- levels of humor apply. The movie features a few more edgy words and sight gags, but nothing comes near, say, South Park levels. Minor characters and animals are crushed, kicked, and killed off, sometimes in groan-inducing ways. Bart gets drunk, Marge and Homer share a pre-coital scene, and there are lots of jokes that reference other movies and cultural events that might go over the younger audience members' heads.

Families Can Talk About

Families can talk about the impact of The Simpsons on popular culture. Is the animated show's popularity even greater than that of Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Harry Potter? Is it wrong to show Bart drinking? What would really happen if a 10-year-old drank a miniature bottle of alcohol? Parents can also discuss caring about the environment and how even one person's actions make a difference.