LogFAQs > #941984520

26. The Simpsons (season 1) - WhiteLens
https://youtu.be/SR8WWFzrZAg

Unique: 5.25
Story: 7.25
Music: 8.5
Animation: 4.5
Personal: 7
Average: 6.5

Its weird to go back and see the original opening to The Simpsons after all these years. Although Im sure I must have seen it before, I cant say I remember this version. And although it seems a bit more crudely animated (but not too bad for the time), I actually really like the part they cut out where Bart takes the bus sign and all the passengers have to chase after the bus. The one thing I found perplexing was seeing absolutely nothing happen when they all got to the couch at the end. That and the fact that Maggie was somehow able to run to the couch on her own?

Theres plenty of story in this intro, as it not only shows you much of the town of Springfield, but also gives you a clear insight into the personalities of each of the main characters, which is something a lot of intros struggle with when dealing with more than one or two central characters. We see that Bart is mischievous and free-spirited, wanting nothing more than to burst out of the school when the bell rings. We see that Lisa is free-spirited in a somewhat different way, far too creative with her saxophone playing for the school orchestra. We also get to see Homer donned in a radioactive suit that he immediately discards regardless of the risk that was present seconds earlier as soon as he is able to leave work. And finally, Marge and Maggie, the latter of whom actually gets more personality here, but both coming across as fully realized characters going about their daily routine. This is all a sharp contrast to the numerous animated intros where we see a barrage of characters in random scenes that make it difficult to differentiate them.

Finally, this is an iconic theme song for a reason, and its not just because the show wound up being so popular. Danny Elfman did a fantastic job creating a playful and memorable theme that brings the world of The Simpsons to life, which is timed perfectly with the visuals. And its impossible to even imagine the show opening with any other song.