Movie Review: 'The Bob's Burgers Movie' is Delightfully Inessential

Loren Bouchard’s animated series, Bob’s Burgers, has been a consistent delight for 11 seasons on Fox. Now, Bouchard has brought the fun to the big screen in Bob’s Burgers The Movie. And while, we must admit, a Bob’s Burgers movie is deeply inessential, that doesn’t stop it from being funny and endearing. Those familiar voices and the quirky characters they bring to life would be hilarious in any context even as a big screen effort isn't necessary.

The Bob’s Burgers Movie tells a harrowing story for our beloved Belcher Family. Bob (H Jon Benjamin), is frantically preparing a burger to take to a meeting with a bank manager. The family is behind on an important loan and he hopes a burger will grease the wheels a little for an extension. Linda (John Roberts) is her usual optimistic self, she’s convinced that everything will work out just fine with the bank.

Tina, Gene, and Louise

The kids aren’t fully aware of how bad things are as they are engaged in their own thoughts. Tina (Dan Mintz) is dreaming of asking Jimmy Jr (Benjamin, again) to be her summer boyfriend. This is a big step as she’s put her beret on a chain to give to him on the last day of school. Meanwhile, middle child Gene (Eugene Mirman) has just found the sound he’s been looking for for his band. It’s a fork tied to an empty metal napkin holder.

As for the Belcher’s youngest, Louise (Kristen Schaal), her story doesn’t become clear until she gets to school. There, Louise is challenged to do a ‘dead man’s drop, from a piece of play equipment. She refuses and an older girl says it’s because Louise is afraid that her bunny ear hat will fall off. This triggers a bit of an identity crisis for Louise. Having always worn her pink bunny ears hat and been brave and bold while doing it, could she be the same person without them? She’s 9 years old so this is a big question.

A sinkhole in front of the restaurant

The plot that will unite the family of plots kicks in when a massive sinkhole opens up directly in front of the restaurant. Inside the sinkhole is the body of a dead carnival worker. An investigation seems to point the finger for the murder at Mr. Fischoeder (Kevin Kline), the family’s landlord. Unfortunately, if he goes to jail, his assets could be dispersed and the family could lose their restaurant and home. Thus, Louise, with the help of Tina and Gene, takes it upon herself to solve the crime and prove to herself that she can be brave and wear bunny ears.

It’s a solid and well executed plot and it’s also a musical. Yes, even with all of that business going on, the movie stops for some really terrific and very funny songs. All of the songs work to advance the plot while being funny and entertaining. A standout is a group of carnival workers who don’t take kindly to being accused of murdering one of their fellow carnies by Louise. They perform a bizarre, outlandish Broadway musical and choreographed dance that is an absolute laugh riot.

Why is there a Bob’s Burgers Movie?

That said, is there much of anything that The Bob’s Burgers Movie accomplishes that it could not on television? Not really. Music is already a big part of Loren Bouchard’s comic repertoire. The show has executed plots similar to this with the kids getting into comically dangerous situations. And, the restaurant being in difficult financial straits is a regular reference on the show. So, why is there a Bob’s Burgers Movie?

I’m not complaining about it, I love the show. And, perhaps, if we’re lucky, this movie could be a good advertisement for the show’s unique humor. That said, the show has already been renewed for a 12th and 13th season on Fox. Thus, whether this draws new viewers or not, it really doesn’t affect the show's future. Fox seems eager to do with Bob’s Burgers what it has done with Family Guy and, especially, The Simpsons, and ride it until the wheels come off.

Money, Money, Money

These facts seem to reveal a mostly commercial, financial, interest behind The Bob’s Burgers Movie. It’s what the industry calls a brand extension. That does mean jobs and healthy paychecks for the deserving Bob’s Burgers crew but it also exposes the inessential nature of the movie. It’s no less funny or entertaining but I would have rather watched it on TV or streaming than spent money to see it on the big screen. Well, I don’t pay to see it, but for you, it may not be screamingly essential to see The Bob’s Burgers Movie on the big screen.

The Bob’s Burgers Movie opened in theaters nationwide on Friday, May 27th, 2022.