THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER
****
Directors: Paul Tibbitt and Mike Mitchell
Screenwriters: Glenn Berger and Jonathan Aibel adapted from a story by Paul Tibbitt and Stephen Hillenburg
Principal cast:
Antonio Banderas
Mr. Lawrence
Bill Fagerbakke
Roger Bumpass
Carolyn Lawrence
Clancy Brown
Matt Berry
Country: USA/South Korea/Australia
Classification: PG
Runtime: 92 mins.
Australian release date: 2 April 2015
It’s been a decade since the SpongeBob SquarePants movie (based on Stephen Hillenburg’s original TV series - SpongeBob SquarePants) graced the screen, so the follow-up film, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, has been eagerly awaited by fans of this mad, off-the-wall animation. Attending a family preview on a Sunday morning was testament to this, especially when many kids were already squealing with delight as the Paramount logo lunged out of the screen in 3D. From this moment on, we were taken on a colourful helter-skelter ride with the much-loved sea-dwelling invertebrate, into a fantasy land full of adventure and stacked with laugh-out-loud moments.
In the middle of a sun-drenched ocean sits a small island with a palm tree sticking out of the middle of a jungle. A gnarly, weather-beaten pirate, Burger Beard (Antonio Banderas, whose previous foray into animation was in the Shrek movies), follows a treasure map that leads him to a book containing the location of the hiding place of the formula to Krabby Patties - the fast-food favourite of the denizens of Bikini Bottom, home of SpongeBob and friends.
When the formula is stolen, suspicion initially falls on SpongeBob’s eternal adversary, Plankton (Mr. Lawrence), but SpongeBob knows he’s not behind the theft (although not for lack of trying!). Teaming up with Plankton and his old pals, Patrick the starfish (Bill Fagerbakke), Squidward (Rodger Bumpass), Sandy the scientist squirrel (Carolyn Lawrence) and crustacean capitalist Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown), he sets off to find the missing formula.
Their journey is full of madness and mayhem, including a weird psychedelic time-travel trip and a totally bizarre sequence inside SpongeBob’s head. The craziest character they encounter is the dolphin wizard, Bubbles (Matt Berry), who will totally alter your perception of this docile creature of the sea. They also have to travel to the world above the waterline, to the live-action world of us humans, where Burger Beard has moored his pirate vessel. The Bottomites meanwhile are going into meltdown as they are suffering withdrawals from the lack of Krabby Patties. Can SpongeBob and friends save the day?
The visual effects created by the Australian effects house, IIoura (who incidentally were the creators of Mark Wahlberg’s companion in Ted) are superb. The soundtrack by John Debney is full-on and the animated characters are thoroughly entertaining. The anarchic script keeps you engaged throughout; in keeping with recent trends in animated movies, a la The Lego Movie, you never quite know where it’s going to go next.
The voice of SpongeBob, Tom Kenny explains, "Bikini Bottom is its own planet, with its own rules and its own pop culture; there's never anything topical. They really do live in a bubble, and that's what I think keeps it timeless and allows so much creative freedom." Creator Stephen Hillenburg and director Paul Tibbitt add, "We've always written to make ourselves laugh. Thankfully, what makes us laugh is appropriate for children. It's always great to hear adults say they can stand to watch our show [too]… This film is for them as much as it is for the kids. We hope the movie is as fun to watch as it was to make."
They needn’t have worried. If you are seeking a great family outing or even a rather crazy afternoon at the movies with a bunch of mates, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water experience is a real treat.
Screenwriters: Glenn Berger and Jonathan Aibel adapted from a story by Paul Tibbitt and Stephen Hillenburg
Principal cast:
Antonio Banderas
Mr. Lawrence
Bill Fagerbakke
Roger Bumpass
Carolyn Lawrence
Clancy Brown
Matt Berry
Country: USA/South Korea/Australia
Classification: PG
Runtime: 92 mins.
Australian release date: 2 April 2015
It’s been a decade since the SpongeBob SquarePants movie (based on Stephen Hillenburg’s original TV series - SpongeBob SquarePants) graced the screen, so the follow-up film, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, has been eagerly awaited by fans of this mad, off-the-wall animation. Attending a family preview on a Sunday morning was testament to this, especially when many kids were already squealing with delight as the Paramount logo lunged out of the screen in 3D. From this moment on, we were taken on a colourful helter-skelter ride with the much-loved sea-dwelling invertebrate, into a fantasy land full of adventure and stacked with laugh-out-loud moments.
In the middle of a sun-drenched ocean sits a small island with a palm tree sticking out of the middle of a jungle. A gnarly, weather-beaten pirate, Burger Beard (Antonio Banderas, whose previous foray into animation was in the Shrek movies), follows a treasure map that leads him to a book containing the location of the hiding place of the formula to Krabby Patties - the fast-food favourite of the denizens of Bikini Bottom, home of SpongeBob and friends.
When the formula is stolen, suspicion initially falls on SpongeBob’s eternal adversary, Plankton (Mr. Lawrence), but SpongeBob knows he’s not behind the theft (although not for lack of trying!). Teaming up with Plankton and his old pals, Patrick the starfish (Bill Fagerbakke), Squidward (Rodger Bumpass), Sandy the scientist squirrel (Carolyn Lawrence) and crustacean capitalist Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown), he sets off to find the missing formula.
Their journey is full of madness and mayhem, including a weird psychedelic time-travel trip and a totally bizarre sequence inside SpongeBob’s head. The craziest character they encounter is the dolphin wizard, Bubbles (Matt Berry), who will totally alter your perception of this docile creature of the sea. They also have to travel to the world above the waterline, to the live-action world of us humans, where Burger Beard has moored his pirate vessel. The Bottomites meanwhile are going into meltdown as they are suffering withdrawals from the lack of Krabby Patties. Can SpongeBob and friends save the day?
The visual effects created by the Australian effects house, IIoura (who incidentally were the creators of Mark Wahlberg’s companion in Ted) are superb. The soundtrack by John Debney is full-on and the animated characters are thoroughly entertaining. The anarchic script keeps you engaged throughout; in keeping with recent trends in animated movies, a la The Lego Movie, you never quite know where it’s going to go next.
The voice of SpongeBob, Tom Kenny explains, "Bikini Bottom is its own planet, with its own rules and its own pop culture; there's never anything topical. They really do live in a bubble, and that's what I think keeps it timeless and allows so much creative freedom." Creator Stephen Hillenburg and director Paul Tibbitt add, "We've always written to make ourselves laugh. Thankfully, what makes us laugh is appropriate for children. It's always great to hear adults say they can stand to watch our show [too]… This film is for them as much as it is for the kids. We hope the movie is as fun to watch as it was to make."
They needn’t have worried. If you are seeking a great family outing or even a rather crazy afternoon at the movies with a bunch of mates, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water experience is a real treat.
