‘The Spongebob Movie: Search For Squarepants’ Review: A Reminder Why We Love This Franchise

The Spongebob Movie: Search For Squarepants may seem like yet another attempt to cash in on an IP. But Paramount has mastered the art of bringing an animated film to life with its most iconic animated franchises with a worthwhile outing.

Search for Squarepants brings us back into the fold with Spongebob (Tom Kenny) and Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke). The two friends have been reminding us all how important it is to be kind to yourselves and each other since 1999. So many of us grew up with him, even millennials. And what makes this new film so special is the highlighting of a fan favorite character: The Flying Dutchman.

Voiced by Mark Hamill in the film, the Flying Dutchman has haunted Bikini Bottom for decades. And now, he’s trying to free himself from the curse. But that means finding someone who is pure of heart to save him and who is more “pure” of heart than Spongebob?

The film is a fun adventure for Spongebob but what made it something special, to me, was the way that Spongebob’s friendships were explored. He was trying to prove himself to Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown) and that meant allowing himself to listen to The Dutchman and it challenged his friendship with Patrick.

He needed to try to protect his own peace and happiness but, in the process, was losing so much of what made Spongebob special. And Search for Squarepants is an important reminder to stay true to yourself.

Felt like a warm hug and a good episode of Spongebob Squarepants

Part of what works about Search for Squarepants is the film’s ability to bring audiences of all ages into the franchise. If you grew up with the show like me or only know about the sponge and his friends, you still can have a fun time. Do I think this movie would have been solved in moments if Sandy Cheeks was included in the planning? Yes. And maybe that’s why she didn’t have her moment. They knew she’d knock some sense into Spongebob and Patrick.

But this is a great way to bring Spongebob Squarepants and his friends to the big screen while bringing something new to the franchise. The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants hits theaters on December 19.

(featured image: Paramount Pictures)

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Rachel Leishman

Editor in Chief

Rachel Leishman (She/Her) is the Editor in Chief of the Mary Sue. She's been a writer professionally since 2016 but was always obsessed with movies and television and writing about them growing up. A lover of Spider-Man and Wanda Maximoff's biggest defender, she has interests in all things nerdy and a cat named Benjamin Wyatt the cat. If you want to talk classic rock music or all things Harrison Ford, she's your girl but her interests span far and wide. Yes, she knows she looks like Florence Pugh. She has multiple podcasts, normally has opinions on any bit of pop culture, and can tell you can actors entire filmography off the top of her head. Her current obsession is Glen Powell's dog, Brisket. Her work at the Mary Sue often includes Star Wars, Marvel, DC, movie reviews, and interviews.

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