The Belcher Family Grills Up a Summer to Remember

The Belcher family from left: Linda (John Roberts), 
Louise (Kristen Schaal), Gene (Eugene Mirman), 
Tina (Dan Mintz), and Bob (H. Jon Benjamin) in 
"The Bob's Burgers Movie" 
Photo Credit: RottenTomatoes.com

Eleven years ago, Loren Bouchard gave us the hilarious animated comedy, “Bob’s Burgers,” which focuses on Bob and Linda Belcher and their three children as they manage their family’s restaurant.  Loaded with eccentric characters, crazy storylines, wit, and heart, it has delivered 12 seasons of outlandish and enjoyable adventures. 

Now, Bouchard and Bernard Derriman (a supervising director-turned-producer of the show) bring the Belcher family and their antics to the big screen with “The Bob’s Burgers Movie,” an energetic romp that displays the show’s creators are still cooking with the right ingredients.

On the cusp of summer, Bob (H. Jon Benjamin) and Linda (John Roberts) prepare for a busy season, but are struggling with the restaurant’s loan payments.  When a sinkhole opens in front of their restaurant and impacts their business, they to find a way to fix it.  Meanwhile, oldest child Tina (Dan Mintz), middle child Gene (Eugene Mirman), and youngest child Louise (Kristen Schaal) try to solve a mystery that could save their family’s business.

The entire voice cast provides work that’s every bit as funny as what they accomplish on television, especially the cast members who voice the Belcher family.  All five of them maintain the witty rhythm of their banter that we’ve loved throughout the shows continued run, proving that they’re still every bit as fun to listen to and watch.

There are some quick, yet funny appearances from some of your favorite side characters, like David Herman as school counselor Mr. Frond and H. Jon Benjamin as schoolteacher Ms. LaBonz.  However, the three who are given the most screen time are Kevin Kline as Calvin Fischoeder, the Belchers’ demanding and eccentric landlord; Zach Galifianakis as Calvin’s trying-so-hard-to-please brother, Felix; and Larry Murphy as Teddy, an eager-to-help handyman and frequent customer of the Belchers.  

The screenplay by Bouchard and Nora Smith may sometimes feel like an extended episode of the show, but they combat this by maintaining the out-of-the-box wit and including many of the show’s characters that’ve helped build the setting in which the Belcher family has lived and worked.  The narrative also offers a fun journey for Tina, Gene, and Louise as they each try to overcome their different insecurities and support one another as they do so 

Aside from the abundance of jokes, the script also utilizes some fun musical numbers, which is a staple of the show.  The opening number, “Sunny Side Up Summer,” takes advantage of the cinematic treatment to make a song-and-dance number that’s a little longer than what’s seen in the show, getting you excited to be able to enjoy this family and their antics on the big screen.

As with other animated television shows that are given a movie, Bouchard and Derriman use this opportunity to offer more polished animation, especially in some of the bigger scenes, particularly in an exciting go-kart chase under a pier.  Other than this, they provide the good balance of humor and sweetness that we’ve come to love in the television series.  Bouchard and Derriman show that, even after 12 seasons, they have the same commitment to bringing us a fun time with these memorable characters, making “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” a breezy, lighthearted way to get your summer cooking.

Grade: B+