Director: Derek Drymon
Cast: Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, George Lopez, Ice Spice, Arturo Castro, Sherry Cola, Regina Hall, Mark Hamill
Screenplay: Pam Brady, Matt Lieberman
96 mins. Rated PG for rude humor, action and some scary images.

I’m a lifelong resident of Bikini Bottom. I grew up alongside Spongebob, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, and Sandy. Oh, and Gary. These characters and their world have been with me for decades, so the only question I can ask about the new Spongebob Movie is… “Are you ready, kids?”

“Aye-aye, Captain.”

“I can’t hear you!”

“AYE-AYE, CAPTAIN!”

Spongebob Squarepants (Tom Kenny, Ant-Man) has been impatiently checking his height for years, waiting for the day he’d be a BIG GUY, someone capable of riding the Shipwreck roller coaster at Captain Booty Beard’s Fun Park. When Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown, The Shawshank Redemption) crushes his spirit by telling him it takes more than height to be a BIG GUY, Spongebob aims to follow in his boss’s footsteps by becoming a swashbuckler and joining the crew of the Flying Dutchman (Mark Hamill, Star Wars). What he does not know is that the Dutchman needs someone pure of heart to break his curse…and take his place as captain of the undead crew.

This newest Spongebob film is a bit of a mixed bag, but most notably in its screenplay. This is certainly a solid idea for a Spongebob story, and a journey worthy of the character. The idea that Spongebob just wants to be big enough to ride a roller coaster is so perfectly Spongebob, but the story feels a little too reminiscent of previous adventures. There was a classic episode of the series in which Spongebob wants to be tough enough to get into a bar, but he keeps being sent back to Weenie Hut, a better fitting eatery for the yellow sponge. It’s questioning of Spongebob’s manliness feels a little too close to the original Spongebob Movie’s plot as well, and Patrick’s inclusion feels almost unnecessary at times. While he eventually plays an important role, he’s kind of just along for the ride for far too long. That being said, it’s great to see a bulk of story given over to a Krabs and Squidward adventure, as these two have always worked well together.

The film is at its best when pairing Spongebob with the Flying Dutchman. Mark Hamill is excellent as the notable villain and seeing them playing off each other as Spongebob falls into his web is pretty great. The movie also works when it’s leaning into inappropriate humor, as in the repeating sequence where Spongebob and the other characters are dropping bricks every time they get too scared. Pam Brady, known for scripting and producing South Park, has the ability to push the weird and adult elements, and I wish her screenplay with Matt Lieberman had leaned more into that.

I’m still not a fan of the 3D animation of the Spongebob movies, but I have to admit this is the best they’ve looked since using the new style. While the show and first film featured traditional 2D animation (still the best), the new film spends so much time in the Underworld, and this area looks terrific with the animation. This film gets as close as possible to the classic Spongebob’s weird otherworldly absurdity, particularly with its creature design.

While this fourth theatrical Spongebob movie retreads familiar territory, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it, especially it’s reality-bending finale sequence which makes great use of Mark Hamill’s Flying Dutchman character. It’s a goofy-goobery-fun time that never reaches the heights of the franchise, but I laughed often enough, and I liked the overall message, even if we’ve heard it before.

3/5
-Kyle A. Goethe

• For my review of The Spongebob Squarepants Movie, click here.