But television's favorite four-fingered family makes an auspicious big-screen debut loaded with the fast-paced humor, offbeat characters and sharp social commentary for which the show's best seasons are known.

The story goes like many "Simpsons" episodes: Homer (voiced by Dan Castellaneta) does something stupid and thoughtless, for which the family must suffer, before Homer attempts to redeem himself by doing something equally stupid and thoughtless - but for a good cause.

It also involves Homer's pet pig, a prophecy that comes horrifyingly true, a pollution crisis that attracts the evil head of the Environmental Protection Agency (voiced by Albert Brooks), Bart (voiced by Nancy Cartwright) and his growing dissatisfaction with Homer as a father, Marge (voiced by Julie Kavner) and her growing dissatisfaction with Homer as a husband, and the destruction of the Simpsons' beloved Springfield. Oh, and Bart going full-frontal.

Director David Silverman, an old hand in Simpsons-land, raises the TV show's simplified animation just a notch or two. He and a writing crew of 11 (including the show's creator, Matt Groening) wisely invest more time filling every frame and every second with jokes, even during and after the closing credits. And, as usual, the humor ranges from the blissfully sophomoric (such as Homer's rendition of a "Spider-Pig" theme song) to the bitingly satirical (such as the appearance of President Schwarzenegger).

Pretty much every familiar Springfield resident is represented, with Castellaneta (who also voices Krusty the Clown and Mayor Quimby), Hank Azaria (Apu, Moe, Chief Wiggum, etc.) and Harry Shearer (Mr. Burns, Smithers, Rev. Lovejoy, Ned Flanders and more) giving voice to at least a dozen each. And, since this is "The Simpsons," there are a couple of celebrity cameos to enjoy.

But, like every episode of "The Simpsons," what "The Simpsons Movie" is really about is the strange-but-sturdy family dynamic of clueless Homer, everymom Marge, rebellious Bart, smarty-pants Lisa (voiced by Yeardley Smith) and baby Maggie. They have endured 18 seasons, and countless funny misunderstandings and wacky schemes, as the most loving and cohesive family unit around. We know them, we love them, and "The Simpsons Movie" hilariously celebrates them.

SEAN P. MEANS can be reached at movies@sltrib.com or 801-257-8602. Send comments about this review to livingeditor@sltrib.com.