Would the early viewers who chuckled through the initial SpongeBob adventures have predicted the franchise persisting for a quarter-century, following absorbing the most lysergic of plotlines? This staying power is in part due to its broad appeal, amusing the sense of humor of grown-ups – possibly even those now grown students – alongside the youngest viewers. Although it can't claim anything as surprising as a certain memorable David Hasselhoff cameo in the 2004 film, this latest movie thinks nothing of having a veteran voice actor speak as a pirate while dispensing payments to stars like Barbra Streisand. This proves anything remains possible in the zany world of Bikini Bottom.
A Familiar Goofy Groove
Kicking off with a festive short starring Paramount's alternative weathered babysitters, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the new SpongeBob movie soon settles into a comfortably goofy groove. Its script acts as a family-friendly exploration on the advantages and disadvantages of growing up. This version of SpongeBob (again brought to life by Tom Kenny) now stands a specific height, a detail that thrills him as it finally qualifies him to experience his dream rollercoaster. (An early, psychedelic laugh: our overexcitable hero's fantasized loop-the-loops.) However, as in the finest contemporary American cartoons, the true thrill ride is the twisting plotting.
The Adventure for Swashbuckling Proof
SpongeBob's quest to obtain the fabled swashbuckler certificate that will prove him a “big guy” leads him into conflict with the ghostly Flying Dutchman, voiced by the currently ever-present Mark Hamill. While the Dutchman's ghost ship introduces a grander scope, the film's aesthetic remains a delightful bricolage of digimation and hand-crafted components, consistently showcasing satisfying, properly animated visuals.
If its freewheeling silliness will resonate after the credits is up for discussion, but it's a strong SpongeBob movie.
Notable scenes include SpongeBob wedging himself into an AC unit and emerging somehow more rectangular than before; a cameo from a pair of chattering joke-shop false teeth; and a punishment guaranteed to delight the younger audience: our hero being forced into endless dishwashing.
The Verdict
Ultimately, Search for SquarePants is a solid entry to the franchise – and perhaps the funniest pirate-themed movie recently, including a robust Davy Jones joke and a saltily suggestive saying for SpongeBob's pal Patrick: “The best guys are big guys.” It's clear: those original students will likely be chuckling all over again.
Coming to Theaters: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants debuts on 19 December in the US, 20 December in Ireland, and 26 December in Australia and the UK.
