The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants Movie Review

“The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” is a movie that hits the high seas in the search for the world’s silliest sponge. That would be the long-running Nickelodeon favorite goofball character, SpongeBob SquarePants. Can the little yellow sponge prove himself to be a swashbuckling pirate hero?

 

 

Important Notification: This review will contain some recycled jokes from my review of “SpongeBob SquarePants: Sponge Out Of Water” movie (released in 2015)

 

Down in Bikini Bottom lives the diminutive character named SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced by Tom Kenny). He has best friend named Patrick Star (voiced by Bill Fagerbakke). SpongeBob works a fry cook for the stern, but kind-hearted, Mr. Krabs (voiced by Clancy Brown).

 

Mr. Krabs hears that SpongeBob has grown taller, and now he is able to go into the Amusement Park. He is now a “Big Guy”! He and Patrick visit the Park, but SpongeBob is still afraid of the roller coaster. SpongeBob thinks he will never be able to prove that is worthy of being a “Big Guy”.

 

Just think how much deeper the oceans would be if there were no sponges at the bottom sucking in the water!

 

That’s no problem, says Mr. Krabs. When he was younger, he was in the company of a dashing, swashbuckling pirate. Mr. Krabs learned to be brave and courageous, because of his time with the pirate. He even has a certificate of his accomplishments.

 

All that SpongeBob SquarePants needs to do is find the ghost of The Flying Dutchman (voiced by Mark Hamill). That is the pirate Mr. Krabs had sailed with many years ago. The Dutchman responds if you blow into a special hornpipe. SpongeBob finds the pipe, and blows away…

 

What does the ocean say when it goes past the shoreline? Nothing, it just waves!

 

The ghostly ship appears, along with The Flying Dutchman, and his First Mate – Barb (voiced by Regina Hall). The Dutchman sees that SpongeBob and Patrick a couple of simple-minded goofballs. But the Dutchman also sees that he and Barb could convince SpongeBob that he should sail with them to prove his bravery.

 

Patrick is not sure it is such a good idea that his best friend should get mixed up with these pirate folks. But SpongeBob insists that he and Patrick are going to be the newest ship-mates of The Flying Dutchman. This is a grand adventure, and it is not as scary as the roller coaster.

 

When the pirate was in a movie that did not allow kids, it was rated ARGHHHH!

 

Mr. Krabs finds out that The Flying Dutchman has left with SpongeBob and Patrick. He is worried for his little friend. Plus, where else is he going to find a new fry cook on short notice? Mr. Krabs gets some help from Squidward Tentacles (voiced by Rodger Bumpass).

 

Also, he gets another resident to watch over his place to take care of the customers. The deep-sea diving hamster, Sandy Cheeks (voiced by Carolyn Lawrence), is always willing to help out her friends. Mr. Krabs goes with Squidward to search for SpongeBob. He also takes SpongeBobs’ pet — Gary the Snail.

 

Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer!

 

The Flying Dutchman is, of course, working a big scam on SpongeBob. The Dutchman is under a curse, and he thinks that the goofy little SpongeBob can be convinced to take his place. After all, the little yellow sponge now thinks he is a “Big Guy”. The only way he can prove this is by taking on the difficult tests at ‘Challenge Cove’.

 

Mr. Krabs, along with Squidward and Gary the Snail, are hot on the trail of The Flying Dutchman. Mr. Krabs finally tells the truth about his time with the Dutchman. He did not stick around very long with the devious pirate, because Mr. Krabs was way too scared. But so far, SpongeBob SquarePants has conquered every challenge.

 

Where do clams go to borrow money? The prawn broker.

 

Patrick keeps interrupting SpongeBob with silly stuff, like blowing bubbles and making funny faces. The Flying Dutchman complains to Barb that it is too difficult to keep SpongeBob on task. They try to figure out a way to eliminate Patrick, but everything they try just gets him closer to SpongeBob.

 

SpongeBob thinks that when he is done with the ‘Challenge Cove’ trails, he will get a special certificate. He will be found worthy, just like Mr. Krabs. SpongeBob does not know that if he completes everything, he will also change places with The Flying Dutchman. The Dutchman will be free of the curse, and it will be on SpongeBob instead.

 

What do you call a fish with no eye? A f-sh.

 

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“The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” is a no-lose proposition for the studio (Nickelodeon) that brought the yellow sea critter to life back in 1999. There is a built-in audience for the outrageous goofiness of the residents of Bikini Bottom. It is critic-proof, because 25 years of silly shows have grown into a barnacle of attraction for a huge group of fans.

 

There is no way to criticize the movie. What could you say? The plot was too simple and straight-forward? The animated action was too frantic and jittery? The jokes were too goofy and dumb? SpongeBob was not yellow enough?

 

To paraphrase from the New York Sun (1879):

“Yes, Virginia, there is a SpongeBob SquarePants. He exists as certainly as animated kid’s shows and insanely dumb jokes and his devoted fans exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no SpongeBob SquarePants!

 

“The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” is an escape from the Oscar-bait movies. But this is a new sequel — ready to turn you into a Mellow Yellow.