Certain films have that unique ability to entertain in spite of many flaws and inconsistent writing.
It takes a special talent to leave me walking out of the theater, knowing what I just witnessed was not well made, but refusing to care given how much of my laughter filled the room. This is the type of film The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water delights us with.
Its plot is uneven, poorly paced, and forces one too many live action scenes, but thanks to inventive animation sequences, eccentric musical pieces and plenty of humor, the movie more than provides entertainment for both the young and old.
The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, once again, follows Plankton as he attempts to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula, from his arch-competitor, Mr. Krabs. The plot is well worn at this point and not nearly as well executed as the first Spongebob film, or the numerous episodes dealing with the subject.
Honestly, what pains me more than the poor premise, though, is the lack of any character development throughout the film. While the first movie was anchored by Spongebob’s struggle to be treated as more than just a goofball, this latest venture is completely driven by wacky antics that only further demonstrate why former showrunner, Stephen Hillenburg, is needed back to breathe some life into this franchise.
Even with all those flaws, though, I would still recommend everyone see this film. I found myself laughing multiple times throughout the film, thoroughly entertained, even as I took note of every single problem. It features some very humorous and often bizarre scenes, which more than make up for the sloppy premise and it was just impossible not to love it. The animation is gorgeous in some scenes, especially those which feature more unconventional environments, and the camera angles never feel constrictive or claustrophobic.
The only reason you should miss this film is if you downright hate Spongebob or humor in general. It certainly won’t win over any new fans but it will delight those young and old who can’t get enough of the little yellow sponge, who lives in a pineapple under the sea.
