Plot: What’s it about?
The Krusty Krab has expanded and a second franchise is soon to open, one built right next to the original, a genius plan by Mr. Krabs himself. As smart, or more to the point, cheap as he is, he still has to hire someone to run the second store. SpongeBob, winner of Employee of the Month over three hundred straight months, is certain he will be selected as the manager. But when Squidward is chosen instead, thanks to his more mature attitude, the little yellow sponge is sent into a tailspin. He and Patrick gorge themselves on ice cream, then SpongeBob gets ready to confront Mr. Krabs. At the same time, Plankton has hatched an evil plot to control the Krabby Patty field, which involves stealing King Neptune’s crown and framing Mr. Krabs for the crime. The plan works and soon, the miser is frozen by Neptune, only to be thawed if the crown is returned. The crown is in Shell City however, a place that no one has ever returned from. Even so, a revived SpongeBob and Patrick set off to save Mr. Krabs and prove that they’re not as childish as people think. The road is long and dangerous, but can these two friends, stupid friends at that, complete this treacherous journey?
Now this is entertainment. After the insanely popular television and a tidal wave of merchandise, a feature film couldn’t be avoided for one SpongeBob SquarePants. As much as I loved the show however, doubt creeped in, as I wondered if I might be disappointed. After all, other shows have tried to make the transition and burned, so the task wouldn’t be simple. But in the end, SpongeBob makes his movie debut in grand style and delivers a fun, off the wall picture his fans will treasure. If you love SpongeBob, then you will love this movie and if you dislike him, well, you’ll hate him after this one. I have to admit, no new ground is broken, but the beloved traits of the series are all present and amplified beyond belief. So if you thought the series was insane, then this movie will blow you right out of your seat. You’ll see both leads in the nude, the two friends go on a bender, and more surreal events and violence than should be allowed by law. The story is simple, but works for the material and of course, all the usual voice talent is on hand. Yes, this is just a longer, better funded episode of the series, but come on, that is what we wanted, right? The same SpongeBob we know and love, just on a grander scale and as such, this movie is crowned with our highest recommendation. [Editor’s note: Exactly what is the fascination with this…sponge?]
Video: How does it look?
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. The pores on this little yellow sponge have never look this good. This is a dynamic visual presentation, one which really captures the bright, bold visuals of the material. The colors astound, with vibrant hues that almost come off the screen, but never fall into error of any kind. As rich as you could want, but always in balance and trust me, the show never reached this kind of color depth. The image is also as sharp as a tack, so the visuals have immense polish and never fail to impress. This is just a terrific visual presentation and with no real flaws to speak of, we don’t have to send this disc to Davy Jones’ Locker.
Audio: How does it sound?
At the theater, the audio for this movie was much better than I expected, with booms, crashes, and other immersive sound effects. In this Dolby Digital 5.1 option, that trend continues and the movie sounds great here, with more power than most might think. Of course, by more power I mean frequent surround use, but don’t plan to make this your new reference disc. But for a movie based on an animated children’s series, this mix is potent and packs some punch. The music is well handled, with ample presence and care not to override the main elements, which is a common mistake in some films. The dialogue is loud and clear throughout, with no muffled vocals or other such concerns. This disc also includes a 2.0 surround option, French and Spanish language tracks, and English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
No audio commentary with SpongeBob, which is a disappointment, but there are still some cool extras to be found here. The Absorbing Tale Behind The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie is a look at, well, the title kind of says it all in this case. The piece covers the birth of SpongeBob, the success of the series, and of course, the move to the big screen. This is a featurette that both adults and kids can enjoy, as it has some worthwhile information, but it is all presented in a fun, laid back fashion. You can also view a twenty minute animatic, or check out two other enjoyable featurettes. The extras are rounded out by the film’s teaser trailer, so while not loaded down, this is still a decent selection of supplements.
