Review ‘The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water’ From The Editor

Rating: 

“The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water” squeezes another big-screen adventure out of America’s favorite undersea fry cook, and introduces some tantalizing comic possibilities that ramp up the series – including winking meta references – but it’s ambitions remain distinctly small scale.

It’s essentially a super-sized episode of the animated series, and that’s OK. This one boasts the additions of 3D and Antonio Banderas at his scallywag-iest as a pirate named Burger Beard. That fact that I chuckled to myself while writing the name “Burger Beard” may tell you something about my opinions on Mr. Squarepants (voiced by Tom Kenny) and the other residents of Bikini Bottom.

Spongebob Squarepants is held in very high regard in this household despite the two of us being in our thirties. The television show is animated extremely well with this humor that speaks to both adults and children alike. The original film from 2004 has been a personal favorite for years and owning the boxed set of the first 100 episodes has been a bragging topic over the past couple of weeks. So naturally there was an incredible amount of anticipation for “The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water” and a mountain of expectations to live up to. However, in typical Spongebob fashion, the sequel is a 93-minute reminder of why you ever fell in love with the character in the first place.

Deep within the jungle of the island that resides directly above Bikini Bottom is a book that not only tells the story of Spongebob, but also brings anything written in said book to life. A greedy pirate named Burger Beard (Antonio Banderas) hunts the book down and uses it to steal the Krabby Patty formula.

Down below, Bikini Bottom is in ruins. Mr. Krabs is convinced Plankton stole the Krabby Patty formula, but is being honest for once when he says he doesn’t have it. Spongebob is the only one who believes him and puts his career as a fry cook on the line to stand up for him. Bikini Bottom is thrown into an apocalyptic state without the presence of Krabby Patties as a manhunt for Spongebob and Plankton begins. But the two unlikely allies along with Squidward, Mr. Krabs, and Sandy will have to team up in order to stand a chance against Burger Beard and his magical book.

Antonio Banderas could have really overplayed his role as a burger flipping pirate, but Banderas is surprisingly pleasant in the role. His intentions are selfish and his tactics are underhanded, but he is otherwise a pretty harmless character. It’s very easy to find humor in him. The seagulls that torment him are a highlight since they’re a form of stand-in comic relief before Spongebob and his friends reach the surface and they do the job wonderfully.

Heavy homage to “Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior” is featured in the film quite prominently, especially once Bikini Bottom is turned upside down. There’s even a reference to “The Shining” while Plankton is swimming around in the sugary center of Spongebob’s brain; another fantastic segment in the film. Sandy reaches her peak since she has never been more awesome than she is in this film. Sandy goes crazy trying to figure out the reason to everything going on. Her character slides into a state of insanity where she’s as kooky as Quint from “Jaws” with intentions as nutty as Dr. Logan’s in “Day of the Dead.” Her superhero powers are also as ridiculous as they come, but entertaining nevertheless.

About three quarters of the film are traditionally animated and are mostly just slightly polished visuals from what you’d see on the show. The humor is as sharp and outrageous as ever. The comedic timing between Spongebob and Plankton is incredible as they argue over the fundamentals of “te-am-work.” The “hold that thought, back up, slow down” segment as well as the tiny piano sequence are additional humorous components that you’ll likely be laughing about long after the film ends. In an effort to keep the best surprises hidden for those of you reading this to uncover on your own, Matt Berry from “The IT Crowd” has a role that is cosmically fantastic. He is hysterical and the key to Spongebob and his friends going to the surface.

There are so many different animation styles utilized throughout the film. The psychedelic time travel sequences and Plankton being inside Spongebob’s head seem to have a style all on their own in comparison to the 3D animation the film evolves into and the 2D animation you’ve already come to associate with the character. The film is a visual ecstasy while the soundtrack only intensifies the animation’s enjoyable factor.

The relentless energy and amped-up characterizations are also ideal for the half-hour, commercial-interrupted format offered by cable television. Spend 90-odd minutes with these characters, though, and that enthusiasm can start to flag. (It’s worth remembering that the Monty Python boys were able to sustain feature films by assuming different roles and devising comic sequences that varied in rhythm and tone.) Although moments of playful wit abound throughout,Sponge Out of Water is often so nosily frenetic, it verges on being assaultive; you may find yourself fighting the urge to reach out and tap the 3D-enhanced characters onscreen to ask them to chill out a little bit.

“Sponge Out of Water” makes the audience wait so long to hear the Spongebob theme song and for good reason. Not only does Burger Beard completely resent it, but it leads to this completely gratifying ending (in yet another animated style similar to what you’d find in a storybook) and a rap battle that is of the same premium quality “Epic Rap Battles of History” has become associated with.

“The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water” is not only just as entertaining as the first film (from over a decade ago), but it actually surpasses it in nearly every way. Laugh out loud funny, visually engaging, and entertaining for anyone of any age, “Sponge Out of Water” proves that Spongebob has plenty left in the tank and is bound to allow us to visit his pineapple under the sea for many years to come.