The Simpsons (TV Series) Barthood (2015) User Reviews

This is the mix of innovation and tradition the all the new episodes need

[pocketg99 · 9/10 · 14 December 2015]

I'm not nearly as harsh on the newer episodes of The Simpson's as most people are, but I will happily admit that there have been some absolutely terrible episodes in season 27. This, however, is not one of them. Barthood is probably one of the best episodes in the last five years. While there are some iffy plot points that don't match up with classic Simpson's, Bart's never before seen relationship with his grandfather, for example, that's OK. The Simpson's needs some change. That said, the Simpson's also needs tradition and this episode provides it.

Barthood is different from the other future episodes (the most notable of which probably being Lisa's Wedding) in that it doesn't focus all of its humor on the future. The fate of each of the characters is not particularly ingenious as one might expect from a comedy show, rather it is drawn form the same mix of realism and serendipity that made Boyhood so lifelike. In that way, though the episode does not exactly mirror Boyhood, it is a wonderful adaptation.

Then there's the humor. This is one of the funnier episodes from the last few seasons and it delivers with the same mix of wit, slapstick, and allusion that all of the best classic episodes do.

On the whole, Barthood is the blueprint for what a modern Simpson's episode should be. The story is touching and humorous like the Simpson's should be, but is also profoundly different from the episodes that came before it.

Best episode in years!

[joshineuropa · 9/10 · 1 January 2016]

I have seen every episode of the Simpsons since I was Bart's age and now I'm almost Homer's age. The last few seasons have been almost sad to watch at times, because they did not remind me of the laugh out loud funny, touching, smartly written episodes of years ago. But not this episode. I've watched it three times since airing because I've either missed stuff because I was already laughing to hard. Or they had stuff hiding in the background that made me glad I could pause and rewind. The graveyard and X-games scenes are worth pausing to read the headstones and the scoreboard. This episode was also very dramatic showing Bart's relationship with his family and friends as they age over the years. How Grandpa Simpson affected him over the years was really nice, and a little sad, to see. And Bart constantly overshadowed by Lisa and how she helped him become who he becomes in the future. And Bart, Homer and police chief Wiggum smoking a bong together. Hilarious! All in all this episode should go down as a classic Simpsons episode.

Wow! Actually amazing!

[princessstrickland21 · 9/10 · 8 September 2018]

This episode was the best written ever since season eight!! I applaud to whomever wrote this. This story is about Bart's journey through his boyhood. Like the movie with the similar name. Great job. Worth the watch.

Best episode in the last few years, vintage Simpsons

[hamboTjorvi · 10/10 · 15 December 2015]

This episode is without a doubt the best one to come out in a very long time, these last few years the Simpsons have been different from the past. This episode was not that, it was vintage Simpsons.

It managed to bring out a lot of laughs, make us cry at a drop of a hat, and take pity on Bart as he seeks comfort from the family who just don't seem to love him.

The story of this episode did not match with previous episodes like Bart's relationship with his grandfather but we can overlook that because that story on it's own was brilliant.

Blending together drama and comedy masterfully like vintage Simpsons episodes, this one can hold it's own next to the best episodes and i believe this is up there with the all time best episodes of The Simpsons, Adding a needed dose of realism and relativity to what has become a rather bland series.

To Call this a Parody is Underestimating its Greatness,

[lesleyharris30 · 10/10 · 16 January 2016]

Barthood is a fantastic Simpsons episode with a very well developed storyline and loads of very funny scenes, as well as a lot of heart. It serves as a very clever, well constructed parody of the Oscar winning Boyhood, which originally dosen't sound like a very fun idea for a Simpsons episode, but it manages to sustain a storyline and never feels messy, even if it's covering over twenty years of Bart's life. What makes this episode, as well as Halloween of Horror, such an enjoyable one, is that the characters are so human in it, Bart is very relatable throughout, whether it be seeing him feel useless, unwanted and as if he has no talent, these are all emotions we've felt before and because of that we sympathise for Bart to a degree that is probably higher than any other episode. It is quite hard to believe just how much they managed to put in to this twenty minute show, while it has a lot of heart and great moments for Bart, it also never forgets to be funny, I was in stitches for many scenes, such as certain quotes from Homer and Grampa, as well as a fun parody on Apple, this episode is consistently funny. Though it may be early in the season, I feel Barthood will very likely be the best episode of the twenty seventh season, a heartwarming and hilarious Simpsons episode.

Bart goes from boy to adult, following him from a young boy to an accomplished young man.

An Award Worthy Episode

[corinwright · 10/10 · 17 November 2017]

This is a very special episode, and a true gem in and amongst the newer era of Simpsons seasons.

This is a great episode because it shows the life progression of one of the shows most beloved, if not most beloved character Bart and as stated in another review, this is not a goofy view of his future where the main humour is derived from the novelty of a futuristic environment, this is all about Bart.

This episode makes an emotional connection with anyone who has invested time into The Simpsons at any point over the last thirty years, and it does so without sacrificing comedy. I found myself laughing more during this episode than I did during most of the previous episodes combined in season 27.

I was curious to watch this episode when I saw the stand out rating, and it really is deserving of the praise. When the Simpsons eventually does finish, this one will live long in the memory for sure. And it's good to know that our favourite ten year old actually ends up alright.

Barthood is up there with the vintage episodes

[makingafilm · 10/10 · 23 December 2015]

The Simpsons have been inconsistent for the last few years. I can't imagine any show lasting this long and acing each episode but lately I've only watched episodes if I'm getting a real case of nostalgia. With that said I was in for a real treat with the BartHood episode. It starts off with a cool rotoscope introduction that isn't recycled from past seasons(at least from what I've seen).

We get that it's a takeoff on Boyhood but like the episodes it quickly becomes something better. I personally love episodes where we get to see The Simpsons age. So Bart goes from seven to somewhere I think in his early 20s(they don't specify). Yes, Bart and Lisa compete for their parents recognition throughout their formative years but then it becomes about how they connect.

When The Simpsons works it always come back to how they look out for each other but sill make jokes at each others expense. This episode NEVER gets cheesy. Cool to see Bart interact with his grandpa and witness Homer when he was not a complete buffoon. Even better is that you get to see what all the regulars in Bart and Lisa's classes are up to when they "come of age"

This rates up there with the best episodes since it:

1.) Contains subversive satire 2.) Winks at its own ridiculousness 3.) It's full of surprises and isn't predictable 4.) Has A lot of great one liners. Funny dialogue.

Be sure to watch through the end credits since the best dialogue in the pops up there.

It's like a great Futurama episode, touching and funny.

[crazelord · 10/10 · 8 May 2020]

I really love this episode, probably the best in the late Simpsons seasons. But it does have more of a Futurama feel than Simpsons, which isn't a bad thing. Just mean the structure and character focus with a focus on "the feels" is reminiscent of the best Futurama (e.g Jurassic Bark, Luck of Fryish, Meanwhile, etc) episodes, but without the Sci fi aspects

The Best Episode In Almost 20 Years..

[aidan-callari · 10/10 · 25 April 2017]

Barthood (Season 27, Episode 9), is a spoof of Boyhood (2014) which follows Bart from age 5 to his early twenties. The episode is extremely funny with a lot of heart, and it is my favorite 'look-into-the-future' episode. This is because I have a big problem with how the previous episodes of this type normally put a year on each story, so they become irrelevant down the line. This episode, however, puts no dates on Bart's life, so it can be universal. Also, technology is not a major feature of the episode, so it can't become obsolete.

Now, to the content of the episode. The idea is a much-needed breath of fresh air to the modern-era Simpsons. This episode joins the likes of Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind (Season 19, Episode 9) and Holidays of Future Passed (Season 23, Episode 9) as one of the best modern Simpsons episodes.

With it's heart and great humor, Barthood is one of the best episodes, not only of modern Simpsons, but of The Simpsons as a whole.

10/10

Barthood

[studioAT · 6/10 · 24 April 2021]

This episode proves that the show can still pull off very good episodes, but I'm afraid I can't share fellow reviewers 10/10 ratings.

This is an episode with some very good moments, and its heart is in the right place, but there are the odd moments that don't work and that's why my score is lower.

I can't disagree though that if the show was able to pull off episodes like this more regularly it would be very impressive.

Wish the episode was longer...

[janpredojevic · 10/10 · 6 February 2019]

Woah what an episode it was i really am suprised This could be a movie

Not the masterpiece you think it is. I wouldn't even call it half as great as the classic seasons.

[adampkalb · 3/10 · 3 October 2019]

I do not care how good any The Simpsons episodes are where the characters temporarily grow up because I know they will be the same age they originally were in the next episode, and I refuse to believe that this or Holidays of Future Passed could be the only new episodes that match with the vintage seasons just because they aged their characters for once. I don't want them to be the only good The Simpsons episodes in recent years. I didn't even think the original Boyhood was an interesting movie myself. The gimmick of writing and filming different parts of the story for Ellar Coltrane and Lorlei Linklater growing up sure was a nice idea, but not much happened to justify watching it. Showing Bart's feelings about being neglected by Homer and being in Lisa's shadow, and how he feels about it while growing up is an interesting idea for a plot, but there is never any progression with that. He just repeats the same problems over again at different ages. It was a little touching when Homer admitted he related to Bart, enjoying being a kid and hated growing up so fast when he had Bart at a young age, but that's where that plot ends.

As for Lisa...well, it really pissed me off when we literally saw Lisa's shadow right after Bart thought he had gotten out of her shadow when he was good at biking stunts, and Lisa won over him by giving Bart CPR. The punchline was so obvious. Bart couldn't even be the coolest Simpson at his best friend's party! Lisa blames Bart for letting her get in the way of his own achievements, but we know it's not just Bart because Homer and Marge always gave Lisa more attention (she painted their sailboat painting above the couch early in this episode!) and it's even more frustrating when Bart opens up his own bike shop, where he gets to be the artist he wants to be, and paints Lisa on his garage door to fulfill her ego. This episode had a lot of emotional potential that it mostly wasted, and I think that is what I am trying to say about Barthood. It's an uncreative plot about Bart constantly getting the shaft on attention, and rewarding his sister for overshadowing him at everything else. And they had the gall to recycle the same plot with Lisa 4 years later in Mr. Lisa's Opus, complete with both having a scene about their 12th birthday. I almost respect Barthood, Mr. Lisa's Opus and Holidays of Future Passed for showing us different sides of the Simpson children as they grow up (the latter 2 hinted at Lisa being bisexual), but it loses its value when the series doesn't continue from that point with the characters grow up.

One of the best episodes in a long time!

[ihatemylifeandwanttodie · 10/10 · 3 January 2019]

This episode is great, it has a really well developed story-line involving Bart growing up always being in Lisa's shadow. It's an all around great episode! The jokes are all very well timed, the characters are great, and it shows how much their development has really come to throughout the series.

One of the best episodes ever....

[tankentanker · 10/10 · 9 August 2018]

"Barthood" is the best episode of Season 27, and definitely among the best episodes of The Simpsons. "Barthood" > "Holidays of Future Passed". Future themed episodes rankings 1. "Lisa's Wedding" 2. "Barthood" 3. "Future Drama" 4. "Holidays of Future Passed" 5. "Mr. Lisa's Opus" 6. "Bart to the Future" 7. "Days of Future Future"

Excellent, outstanding episode (at last, after so many disappointments)

[ringodude66 · 10/10 · 13 May 2016]

Woow! How can I describe this episode? It's just what I was waiting for, after those mediocre recent seasons. It's not a parody, but kind of an adaptation of Academy award nominated and winning movie Boyhood, and if you liked that movie, sure you'll love Barthood, a touching episode full of humor and soulful moments.

This episode adapts Boyhood's coming-of-age plot to Bart's life, from his early childhood to his adulthood, and all the troubles of it, especially because he feels he lives under Lisa's shadow, and he also feels he have to fight for his parents' attention and approbation.

"Barthood" has so many remarkable things, but to me, the most endearing is Bart's relationship with his grandpa, and the fact that, after being so disappointed with his dad, he takes Abe as his paternal figure. Really engaging. And, after all, Bart finally managed to have a pretty good relationship with his dad and his clearly- superior-in-every- way sister Lisa, and at the end of the day, his life is really nice.

This episode has just the right amount of feels (but never gets corny), humor, gags (even the couch gag is impressively funny and original). It's really a breath of fresh air for the Simpsons and for TV in general, and I don't really want to say more about it, because it'd ruin the nice surprises. I'll just say that I've seen this episode three times. That's how good it is.

Just one more sentence: you gotta watch this Simpsons' episode.

A resurgence to the powerful meaning The Simpsons can be all about

[isaacj-09990 · 10/10 · 6 July 2018]

While the episode is revealed to be a parody of Boyhood (2014) at the end of the episode in a subtle and jokey way, at no point during the 21 minutes did I feel as though the already acclaimed story from 4 years ago didn't fit with the characters we know and love so well.

I had previously given up hope on the most recent seasons of The Simpsons. My last favourites being around season 16, and the last ones I could enjoy watching around 23. And while I think it is true the quality of episodes has generally declined in the recent seasons, like I said, this shines through them all.

The episode is practically faultless. The pacing being a significant stand out of quality in the episode; as it begins with Bart as a young boy and never stops to flash back (or forward) to the present 10 year old bart we already know so well. Bart at different stages of his growing adolescence are also a fresh welcome perspective which I particularly enjoyed as a long time fan.

The tone and writing is just so spot on that it encapsulates you from start to end, with enough wisecracking humour in it to keep you chuckling. Truly a great Simpsons episode (albeit a serious one).

My favourite episode

[User6482828 · 10/10 · 19 September 2021]

The best episode in modern simpsons and better than a lot of the ones from the golden age.

Modern Classic

[jdawson-39675 · 10/10 · 28 August 2018]

This episode is the kind that makes me happy the simpsons is still on the air. It shows that the writers still have something left in them.

It's better than the original movie

[maha-20626 · 8/10 · 1 July 2020]

This episode is a parody of Boyhood movie, but it's far more meaningful and interesting than Boyohood. As many of the most recent episodes of The Simpsons, it's not funny and too much self-referential, but is well directed: good frames, detailed backgrounds and a plot that is truly entertaining and interesting, showing the Simpsons family finally growing and getting old (not just a jump in a crazy nonsense future in which Lisa is POTUS, but a believable near future in which Bart is a teenager with relatable emotions). I wished that this episode drew a path for the new episodes of the Simpsons; it didn't but showed us that they still have something to say. Who knows, maybe they'll even make us laugh again.

Lousy parody of a lousy flop movie.

[NothingSacred_com · 2/10 · 1 August 2021]

Based on one of the lousiest movies of all time, BOYHOOD, this episode fails to deliver any amusement. However, it does function as a sharp criticism of linkletter's failed attempt to create a long-term filming of a white-trash boy progressing from idiocy to stupidity, i.e. Growing up. Choosing Bart as the substitute for white-trash-boy (whatever his name was, i couldn't care less) is the sole stroke of genius here.

A great episode that takes you into the future!

[burteriksson · 10/10 · 29 July 2020]

It seems that I've been giving out 10/10-ratings a lot for season 27. Well, better that way than giving one-star ratings. It would be easier to point out the weak episodes, but there are surprisingly many good episodes still here for me to see, as I didn't see these on TV back in the day: I stopped watching "the tube" at some point after season 26.

Lots of laughs, crazy gags and stupidity that will get you.

Get ready to cry hard

[nukhetagar · 10/10 · 10 June 2021]

Season 27 of The Simpsons has been a breath of fresh air, but this episode is the best among them. It is a feely one: get ready to cry hard, especially if you have a sibling with whom you shared some rivalry for your parents' affection.

This episode is about what it means to have a brother/sister that, unfortunately for you, is more impressive than you in many ways. Simply having this person in your house while growing up can impact how you feel about yourself, and how your parents see you and treat you. You can find yourself pushed towards the role of the 'trouble maker' not by your own choice, but by how your environment changes because of one additional person you now have to live with (not your choice).

This episode touched me in so many ways, because you can see that Bart is good, or at least he really really wants to be, but finds it so tough to achieve that in the absence of parental love and affection that is being poured into his sister. He only has one person in his corner: his grandpa. This dynamic leads to a lot of tear jerker moments, particularly when we reach the second act. I could not stop crying.

On a personal note, I have a brother that has experienced very similar things (not my choice) because I was academically gifted and he was not. But he was always the best person ever (even tough I thought he was a trouble maker when I was younger). This episode made me think how who we are can be shaped by how our parents approach us.

All in all, amazing episode that captures something real, deep, and sad. Caught me off guard.

The Simpsons is not dead of quality

[lookteausps · 10/10 · 27 December 2021]

This is one of if not the best episode of the modern simpsons. It explores the world of Bart and how his life has been defined by being in the shadows of Lisa and it felt like everyone was against him bar Grandpa.

This episode feels like it would belong in season 3 or 4 not season 27. This will go down as a simpsons classic and i respect the team for the pure beauty and quality of this episode.

A new Breath

[manoarhs · 9/10 · 27 August 2022]

I thought that the Simpson has reached their Peak potential, I was definitely wrong.

This episode brings us to a modern criticism of a millienial kid issues, such as childhood development or life(s) turnovers.

Throught Bart,- who suffers from lack of aknowledge by his relatives, living under his sister shadow - . We can clearly identify the wish of the show runners to turn the simpson into a more « mature » show, dealing with issues that most of teenagers or young adults can relate to, with still, a simple morality which make a deeper sense when you apply it nowadays trough our generation.

IMO, this episode should be the guideline of the next seasons, bringing another dimension to a show that struggle to reinvent itself.

A great Simpsons episode that told about Bart's life and relationship with his family.

[opalpika1328 · 10/10 · 27 July 2022]

I heard this was basically a parody of a movie, but it is one of the better of the many "future Simpsons episodes" that had them grown up. This one dealt with the life of Bart, and the relationship he had with his family. Homer and Marge had favoritism for Lisa over Bart, not only that, but Homer wasn't very good to Bart at all, from scolding him over his drawings all over the kitchen to the "camping trip" which was nothing but staying in a cheap hotel. The favoritism with Lisa also was hard on Bart, from her being better at school getting awards to her bragging more about her achievements on Bart's birthday. There was one family member he was able to turn to though: his grandpa. He always seen the best in Bart. Bart had that bad attitude lifestyle due to his main family not seeing the best in him, but after a argument with Lisa during a party, and that she said that he was a good artist, he took that idea. The end shown Nelson, Bart's bully turned rival turned friend, giving him a lot of money and being with Lisa,which was kinda a reference to when Lisa did go out with Nelson on a episode. Bart made a drawing that he said that shouldn't have been seen, but Lisa was glad she saw it. So yeah, this is one of the best Simpsons episodes, especially one of the better episodes that had the Simpsons grown up.