Review: 'The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror XXI'

It is the beginning of November and that means it is time for the annual Halloween episode of "The Simpsons". Along with two other Halloween episodes, "Treehouse of Horror XXI" aired last night. Overall, it was a funny and entertaining episode with laughs for both younger (teen) and older viewers.

"Monster Office"
The show begins with Bart and Homer carving pumpkins, but quickly becomes violent. It pauses and we see the episode is playing on a television in Professor Frink's laboratory. He walks past Frankenstein and warns that the episode is scary and contains violence.

Frankenstein takes the TV remote and declares he likes to watch "Monster Office" because it is just like his office. Upbeat music plays and we see a brief monster version of the opening sequence of "The Office". It features familiar monsters, including a hunchback receptionist and flirtatious werewolf.

"War and Bones"
Marge disapproves of Milhouse and Bart playing violent video games and accompanies them to the attic to find a board game. The selection includes all the classics, but they have unique names including Funopoly, Mouse Catcher and Ravenous, Ravenous Rhinos. Similar to "Jumanji", a game transforms Springfield into an amalgamation of all the board games. (There are also spinning tops and Slinkies for good measure.)

"Master and Cadaver"
Similar to the 1989 movie "Dead Calm", this story shows Marge and Homer enjoying a romantic boat trip when they encounter a drifting boat with a passenger, voiced by Hugh Laurie, who may be dangerous.

"Tweenlight"
An obvious play on "Twilight", this story features Daniel Radcliff as the enthralling child vampire, Edmond. Rich with pop culture references (watch for Yogi the Bear), it also relays a mini moral about tolerance.

Guest Stars
"Treehouse of Horror XXI" includes the spooky credits typically, though not always, found in the Halloween episodes. Guest stars Hugh Laurie and Daniel Radcliff get the treatment as well, respectively credited as Hugh "Struck By A" Lorry and Daniel Ratfink.

"The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror XXI" is currently available to view for free on Hulu.com.