The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie

The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie – Devastated to not be made Manager of a new Krusty Krab because he’s too young, SpongeBob needs to prove that he is, indeed, a man. When King Neptune’s crown is stolen, Mr Krabs is framed and faces a harsh punishment if it isn’t returned. Seeing his chance to show his maturity, SpongeBob sets off on the dangerous quest with Patrick to find the crown and save his boss’ life. 

The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004) – Directors: Stephen Hillenberg, Mark Osborne

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23898476

Rating: U

Running Length: 87 mins

Starring: Tom Kenny, Bill Fagebakke, Clancy Brown

Genre: Animated, Comedy

REVIEW: ‘THE SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE’

There’s no denying that ‘SpongeBob Squarepants’ was (and continues to be) a huge hit with kids so it was only a matter of time before a feature length film came out. The inventively named ‘The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie’ hit movie theatres in 2004 and despite essentially being an overlong episode was largely thoroughly enjoyed by audiences everywhere. SpongeBob and Patrick’s loyal and enthusiastic friendship is what binds the show so it made sense for this dynamic to be the cornerstone of the film.

Travelling far from his pineapple under the sea, SpongeBob and Patrick encounter lots of weird and wonderful creatures as they trek along the bottom of the ocean, not all of them friendly. However, the essence of the show remains and all our favourite characters have plenty of screen time (apart from Sandy which is a shame).

As always, there’s a lot going on and the pair’s loud silliness never lets up so this kind of comedy is likely to grate on even the strongest of adult nerves if SpongeBob is not your bag. Thankfully the quality of the comedy is top class so it likely won’t be long before the movie wins you over and you are laughing along with the kids.

CONTENT: IS ‘SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

When SpongeBob is getting ready, he puts his clothes on but the back of his trousers open, revealing his bottom. He then puts soap in his mouth and scrubs his eyes with a toothbrush. We mention this in case it could be imitable for younger kids.

Due to being incredibly happy, SpongeBob appears in Squidward’s shower, Squidward is horrified and embarrassed but SpongeBob is oblivious to this being inappropriate. Patrick is then seen ‘naked’, but nothing is actually seen.

Plankton talks about his evil plan but is then stepped on by SpongeBob who doesn’t realise. Plankton shouts ‘ow, ow, ow!’ as SpongeBob continues walked then screams when SpongeBob tries to scrape him off his shoe. While this sounds horrible, it is a funny moment.

Patrick swings into shot over a crowd of people, he is then shown from behind where his bare bottom is seen with a flag clenched between his cheeks.

SpongeBob and Patrick drown their sorrows by eating gallons of ice cream. The more they eat, the more ‘drunk’ they appear and they are seen the next morning in a hungover-like state.

Believing that Mr Krabs has stolen his crown, King Neptune shoots fire at him from his trident. He then freezes him solid to ensure he doesn’t go anywhere until his crown is returned.

On their travels, SpongeBob and Patrick come across two ‘redneck’ characters who gaffaw at everything the pair tell them. As they are excited, one grabs one by the neck and briefly chokes the other but he isn’t harmed. Later, another character comes across these characters, he isn’t so nice and grabs both of them by their mouths, pulling upwards roughly.

SpongeBob and Patrick go to a bar that is full of tough and threatening people.

SpongeBob and Patrick drive along a road that has mounds of skulls and bones along it. They are completely oblivious to this. They come across an old lady who offers them some ice cream, however she isn’t as benevolent as she seems and the pair end up being chased by a large, scary creature.

The duo are being followed by a frightening-looking bounty hunter. When he catches up to them, large spikes suddenly appear on the bottoms of his feet. He lifts a foot up in order to stamp on them and gleefully shouts ‘I hope this hurts a lot!’ However he is stopped by another creature that captures SpongeBob and Patrick.

The pair are put in a gift shop which is full of dead sea creatures that have had tacky googly eyes, guitars and lips put on them. They are put on a board which is directly under a hot lamp so that they dry out. They struggle to speak, and dry up quickly. As the are dying, a tear from each of them slides down the board and join together to make a heart.  There is sad music playing and both of them change from being animated to a real inanimate starfish and sponge. The scene cuts to a group of sobbing pirates who are watching the film at a cinema.

A character calls himself ‘Knucklehead McSpazatron’. In the UK a ‘spaz’ derives from the medical condition ‘Spastic’ and is a non-PC insult that may offend.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘MOVIE TITLE’ FOR KIDS?

Daft and over the top, ‘The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie’ is exactly what fans of the show want it to be. We feel this film should be appropriate for all ages.

• Violence: 2/5 (mostly slapstick and comedic)
• Emotional Distress: 3/5 (kids may be upset by the finale where SpongeBob and Patrick appear to ‘die’, however events change and the heroes are soon wisecracking as normal)
• Fear Factor: 1/5 (some of the more threatening characters could be scary)
• Sexual Content: 1/5 (Patrick is seen wearing fishnet stockings, some naked bottoms)
• Bad Language: 1/5 (some mild insults)
• Dialogue: 2/5
• Other Notes: Deals with themes of maturity, finding who you are, acceptance, fulfilling promises, vanity, and friendship.

Words by Laura Record