With my kids all grown up, it’s been a long time since I’ve revisited Bikini Bottom. But I spent many years enjoying the show on the living room sofa with them, and later taking my oldest daughter to the first movie when it came out…perhaps a little put-off at paying for something that was still on TV for free (but since this particular night at the movies wasn’t about me, I kept it to myself).
SpongeBob SquarePants was always a bit more creative, clever and funnier than a lot of other shows aimed at kids, so I seldom watched it with my girls out of a sense of duty. But alas, there comes a time to put away childish things, and once my kids lost interest in it, so did I. And that’s okay, because like The Simpsons, the show was starting to get a bit stale anyway (though it’s still airing on Nickelodeon, and as of this writing, is among the longest running cartoons in history).
I couldn’t convince either of my girls to join me for The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, even out of a sense of nostalgia. So here I am…a middle-aged man watching a SpongeBob movie all by himself, more out of journalistic obligation than anticipation. (sad sigh)
This is the fourth theatrically released SpongeBob movie. While aware of the previous two sequels, I never watched them, but I was a little taken-back that this one is largely computer animated. I dunno…maybe that was done to assure today’s parents they’re getting something that is not on TV for free. Whatever the case, the animation isn’t bad and the settings are just as bright and colorful as the original show, but I’m kind of a purist. While I realize I’m not the film’s intended audience and every kids movie is GC these days, I miss the quaint charms of hand-drawn animation (which not even Disney bothers with anymore).
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The story is basically an extended episode, and as such, the film should please fans, though some endearing secondary characters (Plankton, Sandy, etc) don’t get nearly as much screen time as they deserve. Like any extended episode, it sometimes struggles to justify its length, but I can’t imagine anyone who enjoyed the other films not digging this one.
Even though it’s sometimes very funny, I didn’t laugh much. But the problem is obviously with me. While I’m not too old to appreciate the film for what it is, a big reason I always found SpongeBob amusing is because my kids did. If they were by my side - and 10 years old again - their laughter would’ve been infectious.
So as the end credits finally rolled, part of me felt a little melancholy. Unless one of my daughters becomes suddenly stricken by the nostalgia bug, it’s unlikely I’ll ever enjoy SpongeBob like I used to. However, if you’re a still a parent with young ones - and perhaps grew up on the franchise yourself - Search for SquarePants makes an agreeable family movie night
EXTRA KIBBLES
FEATURETTES - The SpongeBob Ensemble: The Veteran Voices features interviews with the main cast; The SpongeBob Ensemble: The New Crew focuses on new cast members; The Flying Dutchman: Animated Artistry and Live Acting is about the main antagonist; From Bikini Bottom to the Underworld is about the various settings of the film.
MUSIC VIDEO - “Big Guy,” by Ice Spice, who also voices one of the characters.
DVD & DIGITAL COPIES
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