SpongeBob SquarePants simply needs to be a giant man. For our bubble blowing, Bikini Bottom resident (voiced by Tom Kenny ), which means reaching the coveted top of 36 clams tall in order that he can lastly trip the massive curler coaster at Captain Booty Beard’s Fun Park.
In the brand new feature-length film, “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,” he wakes as much as uncover, with the assistance of his loyal pet Gary the Snail, that he has lastly made it. But, as many youngsters earlier than him have discovered the arduous means, being tall sufficient to trip the massive curler coaster just isn’t at all times the identical as being able to trip the massive curler coaster. Cue the “O Fortuna” needle drop.
This installment has extra insanity up its sleeves than a terrifying curler coaster. Slightly lie from SpongeBob, that he promised he’d wait to trip it along with his boss Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown), has unintended penalties. Soon Mr. Krabs is regaling SpongeBob along with his personal story from his seafaring days about incomes a coveted swashbuckler certificates (which incorporates proving ones “intestinal fortitude”) by defeating The Flying Dutchman. And SpongeBob, decided to not be only a bubble blowing child boy, is about off on his personal odyssey that takes him and his jolly starfish sidekick Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke) on a madcap journey to the underworld with the ghost of The Flying Dutchman ( Mark Hamill ) and his lackey Barb (Regina Hall). SpongeBob, as earnest as ever, believes he’s there to show his swashbuckling mettle. The Flying Dutchman has different plans.
This underworld is a wild, colourful place (the phrases surreal tiki bar have been thrown round) the place sirens lure you in with easy jazz (far too tempting for Squidward, voiced once more by Rodger Bumpass), the place two monstrous creatures begin spontaneously kissing each other as an alternative of killing the intruders and the place guardian skeletons might be introduced down with laughter. Just wait till you see how SpongeBob and Patrick determine they’ve handed the “intestinal fortitude” take a look at.
“Search for SquarePants” was directed by Derek Drymon and written by Pam Brady and Matt Lieberman. Drymon is an animation veteran, who labored with SpongeBob creator Stephen Hillenburg on the event of his signature sequence.
One vital change is that “Search for SquarePants” embraces 3D animation, which is a bit jarring at first, particularly coming after the brief “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie, with its handdrawn fashion, that performs earlier than “SpongeBob.” I’m not fully positive what’s improved with the brand new look. Perhaps the extra vulgar visible gags with butts and such look a bit extra harmless in 3D? Thankfully, the irreverent sense of play stays firmly intact. During one significantly manic montage, we’re even transported into the studio boss’ workplace who tells them the film has gone off the rails. There’s additionally some reside motion madness in Santa Monica.
As far as classes to be discovered from this outing, “SpongeBob” stays admirably in zone of issues of its target market, like being too scared to trip the rollercoaster and never desirous to admit it. One battle includes exterior forces attempting to persuade SpongeBob that he’s outgrown his good friend. There’s at all times room for giant, worldly themes in animation, nevertheless it’s good after they tackle the micro points that devour kids’s worlds as effectively.
Hillenburg died in 2018, however his wholly distinctive, zany world lives on, now 4 options in. It won’t be the very best of the bunch, however the infectious childlike spirit (and intestinal fortitude) stays firmly intact.
“The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,” a Paramount Pictures launch, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association for “rude humor, action and some scary images.” Running time: 96 minutes. Two and a half stars out of 4.
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