Courtesy of Paramount Photos
Final yr, I—an avid SpongeBob fan—had the unimaginable alternative to play The Flying Dutchman in “The SpongeBob Musical” at The Croswell’s Opera Home. For sure, I’ve fostered an incredible relationship with the religious swashbuckler. So once I noticed that “Seek for SquarePants”—the most recent addition to the SpongeBob Cinematic Universe (SCU)—would mark the Dutchman’s movie debut, I used to be instantly intrigued, to say the least.
One factor I can say with confidence is that director Derek Drymon and the legendary Mark Hamill do The Flying Dutchman quite a lot of justice. After all, I ought to have anticipated as a lot, with Drymon being a sequence author from the very begin and Hamill being the multifaceted icon he’s. The character is as conniving and creepy as ever, with the animation even going so far as making him correctly clear. The truth is, the animation total is completely beautiful and options results that scream cinematic, notably in 3D, which, whereas arguably previous its prime, nonetheless has its place. I might really advocate watching this one in a theater if you happen to can. Then once more, I really feel that approach about most films, however “The Spongebob Film: Seek for SquarePants” particularly is a surprisingly visible feast that retains each children and adults engaged.
The opposite points are the place the holes within the sponge turn into barely extra obvious. “Seek for SquarePants” is basically two iconic SpongeBob plots rolled into one, starting with SpongeBob eager to be a “Large Man,” primarily tall sufficient and courageous sufficient to journey a curler coaster. Whereas I’m intrigued by the premise (primarily as a result of the phrase brings an inside joke from the musical to thoughts), it does really feel like a rehash of the unique and nonetheless superior “The SpongeBob SquarePants Film” from 2004.
This time round, a mysterious blowpipe seems to SpongeBob and Patrick, summoning The Flying Dutchman, who vows to show our porous companion right into a swashbuckler if he can full a number of “challenges” within the Underworld, a realm of monsters and chaos. What the duo doesn’t know is that the Dutchman solely wants SpongeBob for his pure coronary heart and bubble prowess to interrupt a curse bestowed upon him eons in the past. This latter portion is the place the movie actually shines, actually and figuratively. Like a light-weight dip into an acid journey, “Seek for SquarePants” absolutely epitomizes the nautical nonsense of the present. At one level, the film goes off the rails so arduous that it overtly acknowledges its personal absurdity in a approach few franchises—apart from SpongeBob—can pull off.
Let’s face it: this was by no means going to be Oscar bait. SpongeBob was by no means meant to be. It’s a saccharine but largely well-executed children’ film that hits the precise beats and gags to fulfill followers whereas incomes adults a chuckle or two. Regina Corridor’s Barb is a stellar addition, thanks not solely to her spot-on comedic chemistry with Hamill’s phenomenal Flying Dutchman, but in addition to a really completely different type of chemistry hardly ever seen within the SCU. It’s surprising, surprisingly welcome, and properly performed. Barb simply might have been a one-off, however as an alternative is given a shocking quantity of allure and depth, particulars many viewers won’t even consciously discover. It’s touches like this that make “Seek for SquarePants” stand out as a real contender for the second-best SpongeBob film ever. There’s a depth to a few of the stupidity that recollects what made Stephen Hillenburg’s authentic so iconic. Even Ice Spice delivers a reasonably stable ending music, together with a cameo look within the movie itself.
The primary motive the film is held again comes down to at least one factor, and one factor solely: a relentless quantity of butt jokes. Did they not be taught the lesson from “Ripped Pants”? Scatological and anal humor run rampant all through the movie. Whereas I perceive that this type of humor is to be anticipated—and I’m not against it in precept—the identical jokes are repeated many times with little subtlety. SpongeBob dropping his “fortunate brick” or clenching his sq. glutes may be humorous as soon as, however when it’s repeated 4 or 5 occasions, it loses all integrity. The anatomical absurdity can even veer into uncomfortable territory, particularly for a children’ film. Patrick wears nothing however an eyepatch over his crotch and usually will get hooks caught in his crack. Buff Krabs is a stable sight gag, however lingering on what are primarily bushy man-boobs on a number of events might depart viewers questioning who this film is de facto for.
Sure, SpongeBob has at all times leaned into this type of humor, however often with extra restraint and function. The strenuous repetition right here results in a brain-rot enchantment that the present and the 2004 traditional managed to drag off with out being so blatant.
Primarily, “Seek for SquarePants” might be the very best SpongeBob film of this decade, and sure the very best one we’ll get for some time. Too unhealthy it rips its pants one too many occasions.
THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS is now enjoying in theaters.
Additionally price noting: the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” brief “Chrome Alone 2: Misplaced in New Jersey” is best than the precise characteristic presentation and is really definitely worth the worth of admission by itself. Stellar animation, a beautiful story, and jokes which might be as intelligent and well-crafted as they’re finely balanced. Kudos to director Kent Senti, author Andrew Joustra, and all the group for delivering such an incredible piece of short-form revelry.