Shadows on the Wall | The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

dir Derek Drymon
scr Pam Brady, Matt Lieberman
prd Pam Brady, Aaron Dem, Lisa Stewart
voices Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Mark Hamill, Regina Hall, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr Lawrence, George Lopez, Isis 'Ice Spice' Gaston, Arturo Castro, Sherry Cola
release US 19.Dec.25,
UK 26.Dec.25
25/US Paramount 1h36

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Is it possible that this new SpongeBob movie is even more frantic and nonsensical than ever? It certainly feels like it, as the barrage of silly and surreal gags never lets up for 96 minutes. The plot is so pointless that it's barely worth pondering, but the ridiculous characters will connect to the 10-year-old inside us all. The key is to avoid trying to make sense of it.

Discovering that he's a half-clam taller, SpongeBob (Kenny) is overexcited that he's now a big boy, and can go on a rollercoaster with his pal Patrick (Fagerbakke). Because he's still terrified, his boss Mr Krabs (Brown) encourages him to find his inner swashbuckler. SpongeBob takes this literally, summoning the ghost of the Flying Dutchman (Hamill) and sidekick Barb (Hall), then embarking on a quest to the underworld with Patrick. Knowing the Dutchman's true nefarious plan, Krabs and neighbour Squidward (Bumpass) follow, leading to considerable mayhem both in the underworld and in live-action Santa Monica.

Eye-catching imagery features various animation styles, with brightly textured digital work alongside colourful hand-drawn flourishes. There's certainly never a dull moment, as scenes continually explode with outrageous creatures, madcap action and wildly exaggerated nuttiness. It's so fast-paced that we feel out of breath from start to finish, laughing along the way at the nonstop jokes. Not every punchline works, but the sheer quantity of sight gags and witty wordplay can't help but hit the target now and then.

As always, the endlessly dopey SpongeBob wins us over with his relentless optimism, obliviously diving into each perilous situation while smarter characters continually think they can outfox him. At least he's likeable, as is the mind-bogglingly goofy Patrick. Their friendship is the best thing about them, taking deep joy in simply blowing bubbles together. But because there isn't anything on-screen we can identify with, our only option is to sit back and enjoy the noise.

The animators have a lot of visual fun, finding offbeat angles and approaches to each set-piece. The technical quality is also impressive, with an attention to detail that often takes us aback (but only on a big screen). And while it's all very, very stupid, at least there are some nice underlying themes about connections woven in, as well as the central idea that your height isn't what makes you a grown-up. Indeed, watching SpongeBob conquer his fears and then realise that he loves rollercoasters is almost inspiring.

themes, language, violence 30.Nov.25

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