Would the early viewers who laughed through the first SpongeBob escapades have envisioned the franchise persisting for a 25 years, even after absorbing the most lysergic of plotlines? This longevity is in part attributed to its broad charm, tickling the sense of humor of adults – possibly even those former students – as well as the youngest viewers. Although it can't claim anything as unexpected as the legendary David Hasselhoff appearance in the 2004 film, this fourth feature has no qualms about having Clancy Brown speak as a pirate while dispensing royalty cheques to music icons like Barbra Streisand. It seems anything remains possible in the whimsical world of Bikini Bottom.
A Familiar Zany Groove
Kicking off with a festive short featuring Paramount's alternative weathered babysitters, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the latest SpongeBob movie quickly settles into a recognizably goofy rhythm. Its storyline acts as a family-friendly exploration on the advantages and disadvantages of growing up. This version of SpongeBob (again voiced by Tom Kenny) now measures a specific height, a detail that excites him as it at last qualifies him to experience his dream rollercoaster. (An initial, trippy gag: our enthusiastic hero's fantasized loop-the-loops.) However, like the finest contemporary American cartoons, the real thrill ride is the corkscrew narrative.
The Quest for Swashbuckling Credentials
SpongeBob's quest to obtain the fabled swashbuckler certificate that will prove him a “big guy” leads him into a showdown with the ghostly Flying Dutchman, brought to life by the suddenly ever-present Mark Hamill. Although the Dutchman's ghost ship introduces a grander scope, the movie's visual style remains a charming mix of digimation and hand-crafted elements, forever showcasing satisfying, authentically animated visuals.
If its spitballing humor will resonate when the lights come up is debatable, but it's a strong SpongeBob movie.
Memorable scenes include SpongeBob squeezing himself into an air conditioner and emerging inexplicably squarer than before; a brief appearance from a pair of chattering novelty false teeth; and a penalty guaranteed to resonate with the younger crowd: our hero being forced into endless dishwashing.
The Verdict
In the end, Search for SquarePants stands as a reliable addition to the series – and perhaps the funniest pirate-themed movie in years, encompassing a hearty Davy Jones gag and a saltily innuendo-laden catchphrase for SpongeBob's friend Patrick: “The best guys are big guys.” It's clear: those early fans will probably be snickering all over again.
Coming to Theaters: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants debuts on 19 December in the US, December 20th in Ireland, and December 26th in Australia and the UK.
