The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water

Released: 2015

Directed By: Paul Tibbitt

Starring: Tom Kenny, Antonio Banderas, Bill Fagerbakke

Certificate: U

It’s been a decade since Spongebob (Tom Kenny) made it to the big screen, weird isn’t it? Well Spongebob, Patrick(Bill Fagerbakke) and the rest of Bikini Bottom are back in a tale of betrayal, time travel and an aeon old space dolphin. I am not messing, all these elements are in The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water. Does it hold up though? Spongebob is a long running franchise and he’s already had a movie, a successful one at that so can a semi sequel still capitalise on the success of the series while at the same time giving us something new and fun? Well yes and no, it’s a surprisingly complex question. Here’s my review of The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water.

The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water opens with a pirate named Burger-Beard(Antonio Banderas) and his band of seagulls travelling to an island to obtain a magical book. We then head to Bikini Bottom where we’re re-introduced to everyone’s favourite sponge and his friends. The usual affair is happening, Plankton(Mr. Lawrence) is trying to get the secret recipe from Mr Krabs(Clancy Brown), but then something happens, the recipe disappears. Cue Mad Max style apocalypse, I’m serious, the recipe disappears and you blink and the Mad Max Universe begins. From there chaos and hilarity ensues and yes there are huge amounts of both. This Spongebob is so full of random, irreverent humour sporadically filled with story elements that are chaotically hobbled together. One of the highlights is the Space Dolphin, played by The IT Crowd alum Matt Berry, who steals the show every time. Now as a story it’s nothing new, it’s the average Spongebob story. A lesson is learned for a character, a lot of weird shenanigans ensue and Spongebob laughs, at one point it’s used as a torture device which I completely get.

Now since it’s an animation one of the main questions is how does it look? Well everyone will be happy to know it looks great, especially when it makes the transition to CGI. When the characters come up to the surface they transition into CGI characters and the animation is fantastic. I will say this though, don’t see it in 3D, you don’t need to, there is no point. With a lot of fun elements and some great pieces of dialogue The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water is a great family movie which can get laughs from children young and old, but sadly it’s nothing particularly fresh or original. If I were being completely critical I’d recommend waiting until it comes out on DVD, you can appreciate it in the comfort of your own home with those you love without any distractions.