It may seem like an overstatement to claim that “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” is the final nail in the coffin for SpongeBob SquarePants. However,as you immerse yourself in this charming yet somewhat lackluster escapade,with humor that fails to resonate as it once did,you might genuinely sense SpongeBob transitioning into a quirky but predictable elder figure of high-energy youthfulness.Voiced by Tom Kenny, he remains an endearing simpleton who sounds akin to a hyperactive Daffy Duck. The vibrant and digitally enhanced “SpongeBob” universe still retains a nostalgic charm of kitsch (though I can’t quite articulate why it felt more appealing when it was hand-drawn). In contrast, the original “SpongeBob” series and many previous adaptations (including its last installment, “The spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run”) delivered sharper comedic punches filled with carefree irreverence.
Back in 2011, when the beloved Nickelodeon series “SpongeBob SquarePants” faced scrutiny from a study published in Pediatrics journal—highlighting its negative impact on children aged four to twelve—it wasn’t just the show’s rapid-fire pacing that raised concerns; its portrayal of amoral foolishness also drew attention.Since debuting in 1999, “SpongeBob SquarePants” has been groundbreaking—a surrealist dive into underwater chaos. The character of SpongeBob himself embodies wide-eyed innocence and joyfulness amidst an aggressive world that has significantly influenced children’s animation (shows like Disney Channel’s lively “Big City Greens” owe their existence to “SpongeBob”). This legacy can be traced back to the meta-humor found in classics like “Rocky and Bullwinkle,” which “SpongeBob” honored by presenting its characters with genuine affection while embracing their eccentricities.
Trending on Variety
In “Search for SquarePants,” our blissfully unaware protagonist has reached a milestone: he is now 36 clams old. This means he’s finally eligible to ride Captain Booty Beard’s Fun Park rollercoaster. Yet instead of enjoying this rite of passage while waiting in line, SpongeBob panics—his underlying fear signaled dramatically by the iconic strains of Carmina Burana’s ”O Fortuna.” This sets up what could have been an engaging comedic narrative centered around his quest to overcome his fears and become a true grown-up.
Regrettably, this prospect hinges on encountering the Flying dutchman—a cursed pirate voiced by Mark Hamill whose mustache-twirling bravado feels disappointingly generic. As a swashbuckler film—which seems outdated for a “SpongeBob” adventure—the Flying Dutchman has appeared since Season One as a glowing green ghost bound by pacts with dark forces. His only chance at liberation involves tricking an unsuspecting soul into climbing atop an underwater mountain; naturally, SpongeBob’s aspirations make him susceptible enough to fall for it while Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown) and Squidward (Rodger Bumpass) embark on their own mission involving boatmobile Winnebagos.
This film features scenes where Davy Jones’s Locker amusingly resembles a men’s locker room; moments where SpongeBob engages gary the Snail about string cheese; or instances where characters get caught up in absurd conversational loops reminiscent of classic Abbott and Costello routines aimed at kids. While some gags are genuinely funny—like those playful exchanges—the overall experience lacks much of the delightful madness present during earlier seasons when creator Stephen Hillenburg was at helm before his passing in 2018. Don Drymon—one of those original creative minds behind “Sponge Bob”—understands how essential humor is but unluckily delivers jokes that feel less surprising than they should be. Although there are enjoyable segments within “Search for SquarePants,” much of it feels like watching Sponge Bob merely float along without making meaningful waves.