The Bob’s Burgers Movie

• Directed by Loren Bouchard and Bernard Derriman (Feature Directorial Debuts)
• May 17, 2022 (El Capitan Theatre) / May 27, 2022 (US)
• Based on Bob’s Burgers created by Loren Bouchard and Bernard Derriman

Voice Cast

• Bob Belcher, Jimmy Pesto Jr., Ms. LaBonz, Kuchi Kopi-H. Jon Benjamin
• Linda Belcher, Jocelyn-John Roberts
• Tina Belcher-Dan Mintz
• Gene Belcher-Eugene Mirman
• Louise Belcher-Kristen Schaal
• Teddy-Larry Murphy
• Calvin (Mr.) Fischoeder-Kevin Kline
• Grover Fischoeder-David Wain
• Felix Fischoeder-Zach Galifianakis
• Sgt. Bosco-Gary Cole
• Short Carnie-Paul F. Tompkins
• Mickey-John Q. Kubin
• Scary Carnie-Nick Kroll
• Mr. Dowling-Craig Anton
• Mr. Frond, Robot-David Herman
• Ticket Seller Lady-Jaime Moyer
• Regular-Sized Rudy-Brian Huskey
• Zeke-Bobby Tisdale
• Chloe Barbash-Stephanie Beatriz
• Fanny-Jordan Peele
• Dizzy Dog Carnie-Rob Huebel
• Potential Customer-Parvesh Cheena
• Darryl-Aziz Ansari
• Tammy-Jenny Slate
• Olsen Benner-Nicole Byer
• Critter Robert-Ben Garant
• Andy Pesto-Laura Silverman
• Ollie Pesto-Sarah Silverman
• Hugo-Sam Seder
• Jericho-Paul Rudd
• Ron-Ron Lynch
• Mort-Andy Kindler
• Harley-Ashley Nicole Black
• Reporter-Brooke Dillman

While the Belchers try to save their restaurant from closing after a sinkhole opens in front of it, the kids try to solve a murder mystery unearthed by that very sinkhole.

The Bob’s Burgers Movie is definitely weird but then again so is the show upon which it is based. In its time on air, it has created a normal abnormal world for all the characters to inhabit. This film manages to capture that same energy. It’s weird but there is an odd believability to all that weirdness.

Bob is once again struggling with money and seeking either an extension from the bank or Mr. Fischoeder to get a rent payment to slide. Lo and behold things get much worse and a sinkhole opens right in front of the restaurant which uncovers the body of a long missing carnie, so we get a murder mystery that the Belcher kids set out to solve. Am I detecting shades of Scooby Doo in this?

There are bouncy, comedic songs coupled with animated production numbers. This is the kind of weirdness I would love to see in a musical. They are just fun and over the top. I have heard complaints about them but what we get here fits in with the show as well as a theatrical release.

There are some deeper themes/concepts in this movie that make it a little more than a comedy. Bob must believe that he can get out of the figurative and at times literal hole he is in and save his business rather than giving in to his self-doubt. Tina must believe in herself enough to take a chance with Jimmy Jr. and give him the necklace/bracelet combo she created. Louise must prove to herself that she’s not a baby and conquer the self-doubt telling her she is not brave. Gene must reform his band so he can perform at the Wonder Wharf. Heck, that sounds like it is a coming-of-age movie too!

As mysteries go there is detective work done on the part of the kids, but that detective work ultimately does not yield who did it. It’s just dumb luck that leads to the answer. That is generally an irritant to me. Do not create a mystery and then let luck lead to the answer. The absurdity of this movie smooths that out for me.

I have to say The Bob’s Burgers Movie is a very well-done film. The plot is set up from the beginning with everything leading to a resolution even if you don’t see where it’s going. Some of the elements seem random as if they were not going to whatever resolution may come but when it happens you see how it all led to that point. It does not meander around until it needs to wrap things up and just rushes a resolution.

One of the more positive things about this film is how accessible it is to a casual or even non-viewer of the show. I admit my intake of Bob’s Burgers has been rather irregular. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy it but between work and family and what I watch there isn’t too much time for a significant level anymore. I may need to squeeze in a little time for this show on a regular basis having been reminded of its quality via this film.

Anyway back to what I was talking about. You don’t need to be well-versed in the mythology of the show or versed in it at all to get the jokes or understand the characters. This is a self-contained story in the truest sense of the word. I don’t think even The Simpsons Movie accomplished that. I remember seeing that movie and enjoying how much it connected to the show but in hindsight that was probably a weakness of the film itself. The Bob’s Burgers Movie fits in and is definitely not a side story but at the same time is completely enjoyable on its lonesome.

I mean it when I say I wish more scripts looked at this for how to execute a story. Characters do not meander around from event to event until they need to wrap it up. The story sets things up and it all works towards a resolution. I am not sure if most writers know how to do that anymore.

Construct your story with the mythology of whatever fictional universe you’re drawing from in mind but don’t do it in such a way that only those who are versed in the universe will get the largest impact. You can’t just drop elements in. Rather you have to explain them again even if it’s just in a recap form. And this film definitely does that.

There are plenty of genuinely laughs in this movie. I went in expecting to smile but I laughed out loud. Nothing side splitting but there were definitely laughs to be had. They went all in on the bizarre absurdity of the world they had and the scenario they were setting up. The strangeness and all just were perfectly driven home. The dialogue was witty. Set up and execution of the jokes and story was just perfect.

The Bob’s Burgers Movie is a great film. You will laugh and you will have a good time. It’s funny and is a perfect translation of TV to screen. If you like the show or just comedy check this out!