The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie (DVD)

Absorbing comedy

The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie
Featuring the voices of Tom Kenny, Alec Baldwin, Jeffrey Tambor, Scarlett Johansson
Special appearance: David Hasselhoff
Cinematography: Jerzy Zielinski
Based on the story and series by Stephen Hillenburg
Music: Gregor Narholz
Direction: Stephen Hillenburg
Video Master

Why should a Nickelodeon series that endeared itself to children work with adults? Why not, proves The Spongebob Squarepants Movie that features the endearing square sponge, Bob, who drives a sandwich, under-water, to retrieve King Neptune's crown from the treacherous Shell City.
It has all the thrills and frills of a road-movie, yes, but more significantly, it is like a feel-good moral science class for adults too. They could happily take a break from gun-trotting heroes or heavy-duty realism and watch this one, at least for the heck of it.
The SpongeBob movie, as with all films based on cartoons, is rooted in a bed of humour. There are imaginative word-plays and sharp, situational wits. But the film's success, obviously, lies in its brilliant animation.
The DVD comes with valuable additions that is way apart from the run-of-the-mill 'Making of...' appendages. Stephen Hillenburg narrates the genesis of SpongeBob, out of his passion for scuba diving and animation both. He then brings in the featured actors who reveal how SpongeBob and its various characters grew on them at a personal level before detailing the sheer effort that goes into creating the storyboard.
And finally, Hillenburg ropes in scuba expert, Jean-Michael Cousteau, whose father Jacques-Yves Cousteau co-founded modern scuba diving gear. Cousteau draws "real-life" parallels to the characters that walk the screen — explaining about sponges, plankton, squids and crabs, and finally underscores the importance of marine conservation.
Essentially, SpongeBob too is about the triumph of good over evil. But Hillenburg adds numerous layers that should appeal not only to children.
Set underwater, SpongBob starts off with Mr Krabs all set to open his second fast-food outlet. Plankton, who runs Chum Bucket, where not even one customer has stepped in, is envious of Krabs' success. Scheming his downfall, Plankton steals the crown of King Neptune, the emperor of all sea creatures.
SpongeBob, though dejected that Mr Krabs did not make him the manager of the new outlet because he is a kid (and would have to be called kid-ager), agrees to take up the mission of saving Krabs from Neptune's wrath. This means taking the rough road to Shell City guarded by evil Cyclop. SpongBob has Patrick Star for company. Together they survive many ordeals with a little help from Mindy, King Neptune's daughter.
Meanwhile, there is trouble back home. Plankton and his computer wife have converted the entire residents into their slaves, and only SpongeBob and Patrick can save them.
With all the elements packed in for a typical good versus evil movie, SpongeBob works because of its goofy humour. The escapades of SpongeBob and Patrick are often laugh-riots that should have the children thoroughly amused.
Finally, SpongeBob is about "believing in yourself" — whether you are a kid or a grownup. That is a easy, take-home quotient, which has the power to delight every viewer.
Whether you are a SpongeBob fan, whether you are familiar with the TV series or not, here is movie that should warm the cockles of your heart.