#REVIEW: “SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: SPONGE OUT OF WATER”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants is back and this time he comes to the shore. SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water is the second Movie in the beloved animated Franchise, made more in the spirit of the newer episodes of the Series, versus its earlier Era dating back to the late ’90s. Any Child or die-hard Fan of the  Television Series will rejoice and find themselves in-love with this Film, although we’re not certain the appeal is quite there for anyone beyond these demographics. Aside from the Movie being extremely-entertaining and at moments incredibly-funny, it at times suffers from a few repetitive jokes, some uncomfortable twists and some adult-oriented moments which likely and thankfully, will go over the heads of the Film’s younger Audience.

The Movie is focused on SpongeBob (Tom Keeny) as our lovable Fry Cook at The Krusty Krab and his valiant efforts to stop Plankton (Mr. Lawrence) from stealing Mr. Krabs’s (Clancy Brown) secret Krabby Patty recipe. However, this is slightly different from all other SpongeBob episodes because the Story is actually told from the perspective of Burger Beard (Antonio Banderas). What we learn about the sacred  Book which Burger Beard is reading from, is that if you write in the Book, it as a result changes the entire Story.  As a failing Pirate whose dream it is to become a Food Truck Operator, he writes his way to that coveted Krabby Patty recipe! Can SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs, Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke), Squidward (Roger Bumpass), Sandy (Carolyn Lawrence), and even the unlikely help of Plankton, rise to the surface and defeat Burger Beard, restoring all order to Bikini Bottom?  Or will chaos ensue as there might never be another Krabby Patty served?

SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water reads like an extended episode with a few side Characters which never get the full development we hope for and the same even can be said about Villain, Burger Beard himself.  Other than a few odd moments including dolphins appearing every time there is a bad word and The Grady Twins (from The Shining) manifesting creepily in Popsicle Form, the joy of seeing our favourite SpongeBob Characters together on the Big Screen brings us great joy – enough to overlook any flaws in storytelling. SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water certainly is a lot of fun and Kids will be jumping with joy from start to finish.

Paramount Pictures Canada releases SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water Friday February 6, 2015.