THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER

Review by John Pannozzi
Posted 3/18/15

(Note: We missed one of the most popular kids’ movies of the season. Thanks to John Pannozzi for providing this excellent review – Don Fowler)

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a …

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THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER

Posted

(Note: We missed one of the most popular kids’ movies of the season. Thanks to John Pannozzi for providing this excellent review – Don Fowler)

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a decade since the last time kid-centric TV network Nickelodeon and its movie-making corporate sibling Paramount Pictures brought arguably their biggest cash cow, SpongeBob SquarePants, to the big screen. In the intervening years, this reviewer has seen little in the way of new episodes of the show, but has heard largely negative feedback from fans and critics online. But perhaps better days are in store for our porous pal, as series creator Stephen Hillenburg is returning to a more hands-on position on the show after having been reduced to creative consultant role following the first SpongeBob movie. Also this film, produced by the same creative talent behind the show’s beloved first three seasons, is certainly a breath of fresh air.

The film’s story involves a pirate named Burger Beard (played by Antonio Banderas in a live-action role) stealing the formula to the delicious Krabby Patty using a magical book. The loss of the recipe causes the denizens of the underwater city, Bikini Bottom, to act post-apocalyptic. So SpongeBob (voice of Tom Kenny), his boss Mr. Krabbs (voice of Clancy Brown) and mortal rival Plankton (voice of Mr. Lawrence) seek to retrieve it. Eventually, SpongeBob and his friends use a page from Burger Beard’s magic book to become superheroes and engage Burger Beard in a spectacular battle.

One thing notable about the film is that it blends the traditional hand-drawn animation of the show with live-action CGI and even some stop-motion animation. Much of the film’s visual effects seem deliberately, but not too overtly, cheesy, perhaps paying homage to the charmingly low-tech effects seen in the show’s occasional live-action bits.

The film is very funny, perhaps even more so than the last theatrical SpongeBob movie. It manages to keep a good pace, thereby never outstaying its welcome. One clever moment involves Squidward (voice of Rodger Bumpass) telling Mr. Krabbs that customers are asking for refunds. The word “refunds” is spelled out in floating letters that are inhaled in and then gagged out by Mr. Krabbs, hilariously emphasizing the character’s stinginess.

All in all, I give this movie ***½ stars out of five, and I highly recommend it to anyone who’s ever enjoyed the show, and maybe even to some who are unfamiliar with SpongeBob, as this movie provides a much-needed good laugh.

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