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The Simpsons Come to Life

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the worth-a-look dept.

musicon writes "Makers of the hit cartoon The Simpsons have a filmed the show's opening titles using real actors. In the hit viral going around the world we get to see what Bart, Homer, Marg, Lisa and Maggie would look like if they were humans. Simpson's maker Matt Groening has approved the human version of the show's opening credits to promote the brand new series." Amazing attention to detail.

49 of 539 comments (clear)

  1. English to American translation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    "New series" = "new season"

    That's also the reason Marge is driving on the wrong side, it was made in the UK.

    1. Re:English to American translation by Ghandalfar · · Score: 5, Interesting

      It's funny that Homer isn't.

    2. Re:English to American translation by Directrix1 · · Score: 5, Informative

      Non-embedded

      --
      Occam's razor is the blind faith in the natural selection of least resistance and in universal oversimplification. -- EF
    3. Re:English to American translation by icepick72 · · Score: 4, Insightful
      the reason Marge is driving on the wrong side

      Well, that kind of depends on your perspective now doesn't it. How about "driving on the lefthand-side side of the road instead of the of the righthand-side of the road of which I am accustomed." There. Politically correct and squeaky clean now.

    4. Re:English to American translation by 1u3hr · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Since Springfield is in the USA (though it's kept ambiguous exactly where), "left" is definitely "wrong".

    5. Re:English to American translation by Fred+Ferrigno · · Score: 4, Informative

      At least once was probably during the "Behind The Laughter" episode, which is not a part of the normal Simpsons universe. The Simpsons Archive has a has a complete episode-by-episode breakdown of all state references. In short, Springfield does not have a fixed location intentionally. They picked the name Springfield precisely because it exists in so many states.

    6. Re:English to American translation by SamSim · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Thank you for spreading the word about that episode. I maintain that article and I get people emailing me after watching that episode ALL THE TIME. As if I wouldn't have seen that episode, as well as EVERY OTHER EPISODE THERE IS.

      The other "Kentucky" moment which the grandparent may be referring to is in "Sweets And Sour Marge" when somebody mentions going "south of the border" and Homer says "you mean Tennessee?" Pedantically, 1) Tennessee borders Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia to the north, although Kentucky is the main one and 2) doesn't it seem rather more likely that Homer might not know his geography?

      --
      qntm.org
    7. Re:English to American translation by SamSim · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I maintain the Where Is Springfield? file at snpp.com and I can say for sure that you are right: people ALWAYS think that Springfield is based on THEIR state, or the nearest Springfield to where they live. I've had emails from all over.

      This is because they are more familiar with their own locality than anywhere else in America, so they see more similarities between the town on the television show and their home than any other place in America.

      In reality this shows the success of the writers of the Simpsons to make Springfield, as much as possible, a reflection of all of America rolled into a single town. The name "Springfield" was chosen precisely because it was so common, because it meant Springfield could be literally anywhere in the mainland USA. Everybody sees things they recognise in the town of Springfield, and in the people of Springfield, and in the Simpsons themselves, which is part of the reason why the show became so very very popular.

      Finally, for the record: Springfield is not based on a real Springfield. It is not based on ANY real town. At all. Thanks.

      --
      qntm.org
    8. Re:English to American translation by SamSim · · Score: 5, Informative

      On the other hand, the episode "Simpson Tide" clearly shows Homer departing, by submarine, from Springfield Harbour on the WEST coast of the United States and heading towards Russia, thus proving conclusively that Springfield is wherever the writers want it to be for that episode.

      --
      qntm.org
  2. They look so fake by bj8rn · · Score: 4, Funny

    Five fingers on each hand? No yellow skin and blue hair? Gimme a break.

    --
    Hell is not other people; it is yourself. - Ludwig Wittgenstein
  3. As reported by "The Sun", by onebuttonmouse · · Score: 5, Funny

    the real world version of the Springfield Shopper.

    --
    MacBook Pro. Worst name since the Bicycle
  4. The kids by Dionysus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Isn't Bart supposed to be older than Lisa?

    --
    Je ne parle pas francais.
    1. Re:The kids by PainBot · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yeah, but boys are often shorter than girls around that age... I should know, d'oh !

  5. it is not by the makers of the simpsons! by joe545 · · Score: 5, Informative

    This introduction was made by the UK satelite TV channel Sky, although Rupert Murdoch owns both Sky and Fox. If this fil was really made by the makers of the simpsons would the cars drive on the left-hand side of the road as they do in this film?

    1. Re:it is not by the makers of the simpsons! by ettlz · · Score: 4, Informative

      He also happens to own The Sun.

    2. Re:it is not by the makers of the simpsons! by Scrameustache · · Score: 4, Funny

      He also happens to own The Sun.

      Rupert Murdoch owns the Sky AND the Sun?!?

      But the moon is still free, right? Right?

      --

      You can't take the sky from me...

    3. Re:it is not by the makers of the simpsons! by TheAncientHacker · · Score: 5, Funny
      Rupert Murdoch owns the Sky AND the Sun?!?

      But the moon is still free, right? Right?

      No. Reverend Moon owns the Washington Times.

  6. Never trust a British newspaper.... by garyr_h · · Score: 5, Funny

    They even got the simplest thing wrong "While a baby girl copies the scene where Lisa appears to be driving Marg's car." It's Maggie!

    --
    http://chickencamels.poemofquotes.com/
    1. Re:Never trust a British newspaper.... by oilisgood · · Score: 5, Funny

      Thank you "Comic Book Guy"

    2. Re:Never trust a British newspaper.... by Blakey+Rat · · Score: 5, Informative

      Dude, it's The Sun. That's like complaining that the Weekly World News got the color of Bat Boy's toupee wrong... just be glad the story isn't ENTIRELY bullshit and move on.

      --
      Comment of the year
  7. Re:Slashdotted by bj8rn · · Score: 4, Informative

    Here's a YouTube link (found on MetaFilter)

    --
    Hell is not other people; it is yourself. - Ludwig Wittgenstein
  8. Link to the video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-223127182 7736577327. God bless Google.

  9. Homer's car by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Homer drives a Lada, a car made in the Soviet Russia...

    1. Re:Homer's car by bloobloo · · Score: 5, Funny

      So why isn't the car driving Homer then?

    2. Re:Homer's car by grolschie · · Score: 4, Funny

      Crazy Vlaclav: She'll go 300 hectares on a single tank of kerosene.

  10. NOT Real by ArcherB · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is not real. You can tell because Maggie really is driving the car. Just look at which side she's on!

    --
    There is no "I disagree" mod for a reason. Flamebait, Troll, and Overrated are not substitutes.
    1. Re:NOT Real by danimrich · · Score: 4, Funny

      Well, you watched a mirrored video, didn't you?

      --
      where's all that Karma?
  11. Google Video link by babbling · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here's the video on Google Video. Google Video's streaming works better than other sites' streaming, and they generally let you download the video as an MPEG-2, as well. You may need to rename the ".gvi" file to ".avi", they rename it for some silly reason.

  12. Bad Casting by Paul+Slocum · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's still a fun trailer, and I know they're never going to really look like the Simpsons, but it's like they didn't even try! At the very least, Marge needs a beehive. And pick a girl that looks a little nerdy with short hair for Lisa. They obviously spent some money on the filming and effects, but it's like they cast from whoever happened to be around the studio that day.

    1. Re:Bad Casting by Larthallor · · Score: 4, Informative

      I agree on the main characters, but they did a better job on the bit parts. The music teacher in Lisa's sax scene is spot on. And if you watch Bart zoom by on the skateboard, you can pick out Moe, Comic Book Guy and Bleeding Gums Murphy. They even have Chief Wiggum, although as someone else has mentioned he's a less stout bobbie.

      One more thing I thought was interesting was the special effect to get Maggie onto the couch. Instead of having Marge carry her in, they composited her in. It all happens so fast that I missed it the first time.

    2. Re:Bad Casting by Xzzy · · Score: 5, Informative

      Instead of having Marge carry her in, they composited her in.

      They did it for Bart too, within the time Marge cuts in front of him he goes from rushing to his spot to sitting comfortably. Looks really odd once you notice it.

  13. Not bad! by Ghost-in-the-shell · · Score: 4, Insightful


    Actually I find it a rather good version of the cartoon opening. Consider the limitations of using real life people, and since the idea was to use real people and not CGI, them it was well done.

    I think it is a pretty good opening. Looking forward to maybe seeing it at the start of a few shows in the future.

    --
    -Ghost
  14. Re:Youtube video link/mirror... by kalidasa · · Score: 4, Insightful

    That's because Homer needs to be in the middle of the driveway when Marge gets home. They would have had to mirror the whole house to get the same visual effect (Homer on the side of the driveway away from the house, getting out of the car and moving toward the house when he's nearly run down) with a right-driver car. The casting of the two kids doesn't work - the girl playing Lisa is one year too young, the boy playing Bart two years too young.

  15. Re:Choose your Media by rehannan · · Score: 4, Informative

    There's a link inside the small "mov" file. Just open it with a text editor.

  16. "It's not the Simpsons, it's British!" by ettlz · · Score: 4, Informative

    That's because it's meant to be a British family coming home to watch The Simpsons , presumably through one of those ghastly Murdochotron devices that adorn so many homes these days.

    Come on people, think!

    1. Re:"It's not the Simpsons, it's British!" by raehl · · Score: 4, Funny

      Come on people, think!

      Ow.

      --
      paintball
  17. Put it in H! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Homer: "What country is this car from?"
    Dealer: "It no longer exists"

  18. Taken too seriously by saboola · · Score: 5, Funny

    Everyone commenting on how inaccurate this is needs to take a close look in the mirror to make sure that the comic book guy is not staring back at them.

    1. Re:Taken too seriously by CMiYC · · Score: 4, Funny

      Worst Comment Ever.

      (j/k)

  19. You know, I just don't feel sorry... by hullabalucination · · Score: 5, Funny
    ...for people who eat something called "bangers" for breakfast every morning.

    * * * * * * *
    Heaven:
    French Chefs
    American Engineers
    British Bobbies

    Hell:
    British Chefs
    French Engineers
    American Police

    1. Re:You know, I just don't feel sorry... by jaseuk · · Score: 5, Funny

      Thats supposed to be:

      Heaven:
      French Chefs
      German Engineers
      British Bobbies

      Hell:
      British Chefs
      French Engineers
      German Police

    2. Re:You know, I just don't feel sorry... by Scarblac · · Score: 5, Funny

      Actually:

      Heaven: French cooks, English police, German engineers, Italian lovers, Swiss bankers

      Hell: English cooks, German police, French engineers, Swiss lovers, Italian bankers

      (yours is of course a strict subset, but I do like the last two :-))

      --
      I believe posters are recognized by their sig. So I made one.
    3. Re:You know, I just don't feel sorry... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Heaven: Japanese wife, American salary, Chinese job

      Hell: American wife, Chinese salary, Japanese job

    4. Re:You know, I just don't feel sorry... by jaseuk · · Score: 5, Funny

      If it wants updating to include americans we could try:

      Heaven:
      French Chefs
      German Engineers
      British Bobbies
      American Lawyers

      Hell:
      British Chefs
      French Engineers
      German Police
      American Lawyers

      I think it works.

    5. Re:You know, I just don't feel sorry... by cswiii · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's like the joke I once heard about Canada. You see, they coulda had the best of all worlds: French food, American technology and British culture.

      Instead, they ended up with British food, French technology and American culture.

  20. Re: Direct Downloads by Intruger · · Score: 5, Informative

    If anybody wants save the movies to hard drive. Here they are (I didn't bother with the RealPlayer versions):

    High
    the_real_simpsons_850k.mov
    the_real_simpsons_850k.mov

    Medium
    the_real_simpsons_330.mov
    the_real_simpsons_330.mov

    Low
    the_real_simpsons_30.mov
    the_real_simpsons_30.mov

  21. No, no, this is the list... by brunnock · · Score: 5, Funny

    Heaven- British house, American salary, Chinese cook, Japanese wife

    Hell- Japanese house, Chinese salary, British cook, American wife

  22. What about Flanders? by erik_fredricks · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Repeat after me: William H. Macy was born to play Ned Flanders. No live-action Simpsons movie will work without him.

    Think about it.

    --

    THE GOOD HUMOR MAN CAN ONLY BE PUSHED SO FAR
    Bart Simpson on chalkboard in episode 2F18

  23. Re:The Saxophone Mistake by whatthef*ck · · Score: 5, Funny
    A huge mistake: in the cartoon, as everyone knows, Lisa Simpson plays a BARITONE saxophone. In this real-life adaptation, she's playing a TENOR saxophone. How could they miss that? There must be 100 episodes with a baritone sax in it.
    That's almost as bad as episode 2F09 of Itchy and Scratchy, when Itchy plays Scratchy's skeleton like a xylophone, he strikes the same rib twice in succession, yet he produces two clearly different tones. I mean, what are we to believe, that this is some sort of a "magic xylophone" or something? Boy, I really hope somebody got fired for that blunder.