Movie Review: ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’

The latest movie featuring our square spongy hero sees him on a risky new mission to become a swashbuckler, only to be duped by a sneaky pirate ghost.

SpongeBob SquarePants (Tom Kenny) in ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants’ from Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon.

Opening in theaters December 19th from Paramount Pictures is ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,’ the newest big screen outing for Bikini Bottom’s favorite sponge.

The voice cast is led by series regulars Tom Kenny (‘SpongeBob SquarePants’), Clancy Brown (‘Highlander’), Rodger Bumpass (‘The Running Man’), Bill Fagerbakke (‘Jennifer’s Body’) and Mark Hamill (‘The Long Walk’).

Initial Thoughts

Flying Dutchman (Mark Hamill) and SpongeBob SquarePants (Tom Kenny) in ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants’ from Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon.

Long since the original animated series debuted in 1999, ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ has become one of the most popular and successful franchises in pop culture. And it has been putting out movies since 2004, in theaters and on Netflix.

So any new ‘SpongeBob’ movie naturally has the challenge of appealing to the various different fan bases –– with, as usual, a focus on younger audiences who spark to its manic energy.

Script and Direction

Gary (Tom Kenny), Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown) and Squidward (Rodger Bumpass) in ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants’ from Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon.

With a script by ‘South Park’ veteran Pam Brady and Matt Lieberman (‘The Christmas Chronicles'), the new movie also benefits as always from a storyline cooked up by series creatives Marc Ceccarelli and Kaz.

Essentially, if you’re already a fan of this one (particularly a young one), it features pretty much everything you’d hope for –– silly jokes, wild cutaways, zany energy and more –– and if not, you might wonder what the fuss is all about.

Cast and Performances

Flying Dutchman (Mark Hamill) in ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants’ from Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon.

The regular main cast are all back in their roles, and the usual energy between them is present and correct.

New this time are Mark Hamill (he replaced Brian Doyle-Murray, the usual actor for the Flying Dutchman), who brings just the right spark to the role, and Regina Hall, who has a nice edge as the Dutchman’s second-in-command, Barb.

Final Thoughts

Patrick Star (Bill Fagerbakke) and SpongeBob SquarePants (Tom Kenny) in ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants’ from Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon.

Given that this one originated as a streaming-only title headed for Netflix, but has ended up with a theatrical release, it’s an encouraging sign. And the movie has enough entertainment power to be worthy of the jump.

And as a bonus, there is a new short film based on 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem' attached to the movie, which is a lot of fun in itself.

‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ receives 65 out of 100.

SpongeBob SquarePants (Tom Kenny) and Flying Dutchman (Mark Hamill) in ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants’ from Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon.

What’s the story of ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’?

Desperate to become a “big guy”, SpongeBob, setting out to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs, travels to the deepest depths of the ocean to follow the Flying Dutchman.

Who is in the voice cast of ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’?

Tom Kenny as SpongeBob SquarePants, Gary the Snail
Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs
Rodger Bumpass as Squidward Tentacles
Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick Star
Regina Hall as Barb
Mark Hamill as The Flying Dutchman
Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy Cheeks
Isis “Ice Spice” Gaston as an amusement park employee

Patrick Star (Bill Fagerbakke) and SpongeBob SquarePants (Tom Kenny) in ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants’ from Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon.