Homer rides a Vespa?
I watch The Simpsons Movie yesterday as it opens here in Manila. I am a big fan of the show and a collector of everything Simpsons so understandably, this movie is something I’ve waited for for more than 15 years!
Don’t get the wrong idea. Homer didn’t ride a Vespa in the movie. The image above is just something I did based on this Simpsons artwork. Posting it here is just an excuse so that this blog entry would have some semblance of not straying from my usual blog topic. But Homer did ride a motorcycle in the movie which was crucial to the plot, but it wasn’t a Vespa.
Like what I said in this other blog I maintain, the film is entertaining not in the big Hollywood blockbuster kinda way, but it’s clear that the creators had fun making the movie with the intention to mess up with the audience. It’s a fun watch that I recommend to anyone who appreciates the TV show.
What makes me more amazed is how they marketed this movie. Consider these….
7-Eleven had a tie-in with the movie where former actually transformed some 7-Eleven convenience store into Kwik-E-Marts which even began to sell the same products as seen on the show. Burger King sponsored a website called simpsonizeme.com where people can upload their own pic and the site will try to make you look like a character from Springfield (see ad here). Even our local Jollibee stores have got Simpsons items up for grabs with their kiddie meals.
As the starts of this movie are fictitious, they make hard subjects for actual interviews for late night shows. But still, they were able to make Homer fill-in for Jay Leno do do the opening monologue for The Tonight Show. Of course, this was only after Homer did the Top 10 on Letterman a couple of months before. The Simpsons family even made an actual fashion spread with Linda Evangelista with famous designers (Versace, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, etc.) featuring actual made by them! See it here to believe!
But my favorite marketing gimmick they made for the movie is the 3D and life-sized display of the family in cinema lobbies. As far as I remember, Star Wars did this same kind of life-size display with Jar Jar Binks, Darth Maul & Yoda. The Simpsons display has the family on their couch. This display is so cool that in a mall in Malaysia, the Homer figure has been ‘kidnapped’ by two over-eager fans and 20th Century Fox even offered a ‘randsome’ for Homer’s safe return (photos & story here). Here in Manila, the same 3D display can be found in Glorietta Rockwell, and Gateway cinemas. Check them out! There’s even some room on the couch for you to sit in for a photo-op. The guards and ticket attendant didn’t mind in Gateway and Rockwell.
That’s taken by my wife thru her phonecam. I like how “slim” I look beside Homer. 
I’m watching the movie again this weekend with my daughter, nephew and niece. They feel they just have to watch the movie with me.
♪ Spider Pig, Spider Pig… ♫
-o-
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J0HNRANA
john[dot]rana[at]gmail[dot]com
Hi John! Is Burger King offering Simpsons toys with their Kiddie meals in the Phils?
Grace: I’ve yet to see if there’s any local BK tie-up with the movie. But with the Jolibee promo, I doubt if the do. But of course, it’s still worth checking just to be sure. =)
hey john. ikaw una kong naisip when i heard about this simpson movie…haven’t seen it since college days pa yata…i watched the movie on opening day last friday dito with my wife and daughter, her first time to see it at tawa ng tawa sa sinehan…
regards to benz and kite…
Alvin, touched naman ako at akong una mong naisip when you heard of the movie! Layo pa naman hailine ko sa ulo ni Homer ah? hahahaha
John, it’s such a coincidence finding this! I recently created a Simpsons avatar for my MySpace page using the tool on thesimpsonsmovie.com, but wanted to draw a new one with me on a scooter. You captured Matt Groening’s style well, though I think I’ll make my scooter a somewhat more accurate representation of an ’05 PX 150… black, of course.
__Orin
Scootin’ Old Skool
Hi John!
I did not know we have the same level of affection for the Simpsons!!! I love Homer more than my husband….wahahahaha!!!! and Jojo knows that….bought the Jollibee watches and snack bags…am proudly wearing the watch!!! ha ha ha…
I now know who to call for the new episodes…Wohoooo!!! Gusto ko yung billboard sa C5!!!
Hey Orin! Hope you can share it in your blog once you’re done with a Simpsonized version of you & your PX. I’d love to see it.
Nona: didn’t know you like the Simpsons as well. Akala ko puro Jewel in the Palace lang pinanonood mo…. bwahahaha!
Maganda nga yung billboard sa C5. Sige sa ‘yo na yon, akin yung nasa EDSA-Greenhills. Magaganda din yung mga tarps sa labas ng Gateway sa Cubao. Sa Jolibee, bili ka din nung 6-pcs chicken sa bucket kasi Simpsons din yung lalagyan.