[8.2/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] This is a solid Treehouse of Horror outing for Mike Scully’s last Halloween Special as showrunner. There’s some of the telltale problems that plagued the show in this era, but the cartoonier confines of All Hallow’s Eve mask several of them.
The little intro, with Mr. Burns’s cursed decorative bat, was fine for some quick hit cartoony gore. It was fun to see Homer and Marge dressed up as the Flintstones, and the “divided through the gate” was a funny enough looney tunes gag.
The “Hex and the City” segment was definitely the weakest of the three. There was a lot of Jerkass Homer in this one, and the Leprechaun veered between amusing and annoying pretty regularly. But there were some good gags, and the creativity of the curses that befall Homer’s friends and family was nice to see.
The Ultrahouse segment was the best of the episode, and one of the best segments from post-classic Simpsons overall. Pierce Brosnan does great comic work as the robo-voice, and the “android house has crush on human woman” premise paid surprising comic dividends. Little bits like “Pierce” referring to “Constable Wiggums” and the various robo-services in the house were all quite funny, with enough humor and horror to make it a worthy Halloween entry.
The “Wiz Kids” segment was enjoyable as a light Harry Potter parody. The wordplay of the spells and homages got a chuckle out of me, and the show found lots of laughs via the world of magic. (Milhouse’s “it’s just like my dream” bit and Marge’s “that’s not good for the clock” line delivery are both keepers). There’s even a tidy little Bart and Lisa story in there!
Overall, this is one of the best Halloween episodes from after the show’s golden era, and proof that in the right context (one that breaks down reality a bit) the show could still be funny and enjoyable.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2019-10-16T23:04:31Z
[8.2/10 on a post-classic Simpsons scale] This is a solid Treehouse of Horror outing for Mike Scully’s last Halloween Special as showrunner. There’s some of the telltale problems that plagued the show in this era, but the cartoonier confines of All Hallow’s Eve mask several of them.
The little intro, with Mr. Burns’s cursed decorative bat, was fine for some quick hit cartoony gore. It was fun to see Homer and Marge dressed up as the Flintstones, and the “divided through the gate” was a funny enough looney tunes gag.
The “Hex and the City” segment was definitely the weakest of the three. There was a lot of Jerkass Homer in this one, and the Leprechaun veered between amusing and annoying pretty regularly. But there were some good gags, and the creativity of the curses that befall Homer’s friends and family was nice to see.
The Ultrahouse segment was the best of the episode, and one of the best segments from post-classic Simpsons overall. Pierce Brosnan does great comic work as the robo-voice, and the “android house has crush on human woman” premise paid surprising comic dividends. Little bits like “Pierce” referring to “Constable Wiggums” and the various robo-services in the house were all quite funny, with enough humor and horror to make it a worthy Halloween entry.
The “Wiz Kids” segment was enjoyable as a light Harry Potter parody. The wordplay of the spells and homages got a chuckle out of me, and the show found lots of laughs via the world of magic. (Milhouse’s “it’s just like my dream” bit and Marge’s “that’s not good for the clock” line delivery are both keepers). There’s even a tidy little Bart and Lisa story in there!
Overall, this is one of the best Halloween episodes from after the show’s golden era, and proof that in the right context (one that breaks down reality a bit) the show could still be funny and enjoyable.