Caution: Spoilers Ahead for The Bob's Burgers Movie
With burger-making Belcher family. When a feature-length film was announced in October 2017, the fandom celebrated. But of course, there was a worry that the movie might not measure up. When several scheduling issues and the COVID-19 pandemic stalled production, the two-year delay in the release exacerbated the concern that The Bob’s Burger Movie would fall short of the beloved show.
The film’s plot is on par with a typical episode of the show. Bob and Linda have one week to make enough money to pay their business loan, otherwise the kitchen equipment will be repossessed by the bank. Eldest daughter Tina is working up the nerve to ask her long-time crush Jimmy Pesto, Jr., if he’ll be her summer boyfriend, while middle child Gene is questioning whether his band The Itty Bitty Ditty Committee has what it takes to perform at local amusement park Wonder Wharf. Meanwhile, the youngest child, Louise spends her time in The Bob's Burgers Movie looking for a way to prove her bullies wrong after she’s called a baby on the playground. To top it all off, a dead body discovered in the sinkhole has people wondering if Calvin Fischoeder—the Belchers’ landlord and owner of Wonder Wharf—is responsible.
By the time the credits roll, it’s clear that the movie does a great job living up to the show’s spirit. In fact, it feels like the successor to the season 4 two-part finale, "Wharf Horse" and "World Wharf II: The Wharfening”, because both depict the Belchers in legitimate danger. In the Bob's Burgers season 4 finale, Mr. Fischoeder's brother Felix tries to kill Calvin and the Belchers in a scheme to sell Wonder Wharf. In the movie, the Fischoeders’ cousin and lawyer Grover tries to bury the Belchers alive so they won’t reveal his part in the mystery murder. So, truly, the movie understood the assignment.
How The Bob's Burgers Movie Is Different To The TV Show
There are a couple of aspects to the movie that make it stand out from the show. The most obvious is the animation quality. With a bigger budget, the animators were able to create high contrast in the colors, slight updates to the character designs, and smoother movements. The best indicator of this higher quality is the use of shadow lines, which are generally missing from the show’s appearance.
The way The Bob's Burgers Movie handles the characters and plot is an update as well. Side characters like the Belcher kids’ schoolmates and rival restaurateur Jimmy Pesto, Sr., have minimal roles (Pesto doesn’t even speak). Fan favorites like Linda’s sister Gayle and Bob’s friend Marshmallow are missing entirely. The focus is entirely on the Belchers and the Fischoeders, with handyman Teddy and former criminal Mickey having an impact on the plot as well. Though the comic relief that minor characters provide is missed, keeping the lens on the titular family is the right call.
Additionally, the Belchers each have their own arc. In a typical episode of the Bob’s Burgers show, there’s an A plot and a B plot. Within those, one character is really leading the story. For example, in the “Boyz 4 Now,” Tina and Louise attend their first concert, where Louise develops her first crush on one of the Boyz 4 Now, while Gene and the parents attend a tablescaping competition. In the movie, however, each Belcher has their own things going on—though Linda’s mainly there to Bob as he navigates his stress.
Finally, the stakes in The Bob’s Burgers Movie are cranked up to 11. It’s pretty standard fare for the Bob's Burgers restaurant’s survival to be on the line, but having a giant sinkhole open out front with a financial ticking clock really amps up the stress. Then, the buried-alive scene is the most visceral sense of danger the family has ever faced. Even though viewers know things will work out in the end, watching the Belchers experience such naked fear is highly impactful.
What The Bob's Burgers Movie Keeps From The TV Show
It’s not Bob’s Burgers without the long-running store-next-door and pest control gags in the title sequence. While the upbeat theme song is missing from the movie, it still features the familiar sight of wordplay names for the short-lived business next to the Belchers’ restaurant and an exterminator van pulling away. In this instance, the store is So You Think You Can Pants, and the van’s business is The Pest Years of Our Lives. The Bob's Burgers Movie also keeps the show's musical aspect, since music and original songs have been a staple of the show since its beginning.
What really captures the show’s essence is the way the movie portrays the Belcher family. Each member’s primary motivation lines up with the way they are in the show. Bob is afraid of losing the restaurant, while Linda is the upbeat cheerleader for her family. Throughout The Bob's Burgers Movie, Tina is consumed with grand romantic ideas, Gene wants to pursue a music goal, and Louise wants to maintain her tough reputation.
Was The Bob's Burgers Movie Worthwhile?
There’s certainly something for everyone in The Bob’s Burgers Movie. It honors the show beautifully while expanding on its style and tone. The movie is a worthwhile investment for existing fans who want to spend a little extra time with the Belchers, and it’s a solid introduction to the family for any newcomers who haven't come on board during the animated series' first 12 seasons.
Why Bob's Burgers Is Better On TV Than A Movie
Though the movie was a perfect extension of the show, the Belchers do best on the small screen because it spreads out character growth. While each Belcher learns a lesson by the movie’s end, having all five go through something transformative didn’t allow time for each struggle to shine. Louise’s evolution felt the most earned because her desire to prove she’s not a baby actively influences how the murder mystery is solved. As her pursuit leads to increased danger for her and the family, Louise must contend with what it truly means to be brave. The other Belchers’ arcs are slightly less developed, though they each reach their goal by the end credits.
The Bob’s Burgers Movie can’t please every viewer, but it ticks all the major boxes for a show’s transition to the silver screen. It understands the characters, portraying them as faithfully as they appear in the show, and it maintains the balance between over-the-top antics and the real-life struggle of a small business trying to stay on its feet. Ultimately, The Bob’s Burgers Movie 100 percent lives up to the show.
