The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run review by Bobby Blakey
For years SpongeBob Squarepants has been dominating Nickelodeon as one of their most popular series. They have created not only a fun hilarious series, but it has become so much more than just the TV series with a product juggernaut and a feature films. A third film The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run was due to get released, but became another casualty of the current pandemic. Instead of getting the planned theatrical release it has become the first feature for the newly launched Paramount + streaming service previously known as CBS All-Access. Could this latest adventure offer up more fun adventures under the sea or will it sink to bikini bottom?
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On The Run follows SpongeBob SquarePants, his best friend Patrick Star and the rest of the gang from Bikini Bottom who hit the big screen in the first-ever all CGI SpongeBob motion picture event. After SpongeBob’s beloved pet snail Gary is snail-napped, he and Patrick embark on an epic adventure to The Lost City of Atlantic City to bring Gary home. As they navigate the delights and dangers on this perilous and hilarious rescue mission, SpongeBob and his pals prove there’s nothing stronger than the power of friendship.
The film features all the original voice cast including Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy) and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton) along with What We Do In The Shadows star Matt Berry joining the cast along with a slew of surprise guest stars. Some of the guests were shown in the trailer, but for those that haven’t watched it, don’t and let it surprise you. They are all a ton of fun and put to good use as opposed to the typical just cash and grab.
The film itself is all kinds of fun and silly. Fans of the show will no doubt love it,
but might have to get used to the new CGI style animation. I thought it was going to annoy me since I love the original animation, but it looked amazing and once you get used to the new look of it all it works to perfection. It is filled with all the usual bright and vibrant visuals that is not only a treat to the senses, but also helps to enhance the overall story experience. The story is just simple enough to not get lost on itself but still offers up a ton of fun twists and turns to keep old and new fans entertained.
My daughter has always been an uber fan of the show and I always watched it with her and proud to say I am a pretty big fan myself. I have loved the previous films, but have to say I think this one is the best yet. Sure its just a Spongebob movie, but the clever writing, great vocal performances, beautiful animation and all around creativity helps it stand on its own with the other big screen animated features out there.
In addition to the film this release features bonus content including deleted storyboards, featurettes, a mini movie and more. Grab your copy of The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run when it hits Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD on July 13th from Paramount Home Entertainment.