The Spongebob Movie:
The Search for Squarepants
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 feature films. Now he is back on the big screen for his fourth film The Spongebob Movie: The Search For Squarepants featuring the voices of Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, George Lopez, Isis “Ice Spice” Gaston, Arturo Castro, Sherry Cola with Regina Hall and Mark Hamill.
The Spongebob Movie: The Search For Squarepants follows SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends who set sail in their biggest, all-new, can’t miss cinematic event ever. Desperate to be a big guy, SpongeBob sets out to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs by following The Flying Dutchman – a mysterious swashbuckling ghost pirate – on a seafaring comedy-adventure that takes him to the deepest depths of the deep sea, where no Sponge has gone before.
I have no problem admitting my love of Spongebob. As a cartoonist myself it not only became my background noise and inspiration when working as well as sharing the fun with my daughter who is still a big fan to this day. That being said it comes as no surprise that I was excited to see this latest film and happy to say that it is easily the best of the films so far. What I have loved about all the films they have made is that they always step it up in some way and this latest fun-filled adventure is no different.
We have dealt with the Flying Dutchman character numerous times before, but this time around it is something new and fun. The trip into the underworld allows them to get more creative and ridiculous like only they can and really step things up even
further. All the usual cast is front and center with only Plankton and Sandy mostly sidelined, but still here in some fun moments. The usual goofy banter between Spongebob and Patrick leads the charge and brings the laughs throughout the film like fans have come to love and they go all in.
There are a few jokes that while fine for everyone offer up some adult double meaning that will have the older audiences cracking up as well. There are just sheer stupid moments that had me laughing out loud in both the goofiness and pure joy. The film is hilarious from beginning to end for all ages and will no doubt leave you sore from smiling at the friendship, fun and adventure all wrapped up in the absurd.
I honestly wasn’t happy initially that they had shifted the animation to CG as opposed to the 2-D animation some time back for these films, but its grown on me. This latest entry is bright and vibrant and looks fantastic. The character designs, especially in the underworld, are fantastic and fun, further adding to the fun world building outside of Bikini Bottom. It’s not breaking down the walls of comedy or animation but finds ways to elevate the formula that has made it one of the most successful animated series out there and I loved every minute of it.
As An added bonus there is a fun Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle short based off the 2023 film Mutant Madness. It’s a fun action holiday piece that pokes fun at merchandising and pop culture that is a great addition to the new direction of the franchise. It uses the same voice cast and animation style to bring the fun and not only a fun addition to this film but whets your appetite for all things TMNT while waiting for the next film to hit theaters. You can check out the trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 here now showing along with The Spongebob Movie.
​
Travel deeper than under the sea and into the underworld and check out The Spongebob Movie: The Search For Squarepants in theaters now from Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies.
