‘The SpongeBob Movie Sponge on the Run’ Review: F.U.N. Sun-Soaked Nautical Nonsense
The third SpongeBob movie takes what you love about the franchise to the next level.
If you need to get out of the house or need a little escape during the pandemic-season, then what better place than that bright-colored, tropical paradise... Canada.
Sometimes it’s the small things that can make you patriotic, and this summertime movie event is one of those things, for this Canadian film critic. Canada is the only country in the world that is getting The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run in theatres today.
The title Sponge (SpongeBob, voiced by Tom Kenny) has to go on the run after SpongeBob’s beloved pet snail Gary (also Kenny) is snail-napped. He and his compatriot, Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke) embark on an epic adventure to The Lost City of Atlantic City to bring Gary home. As they navigate the delights and dangers on this perilous and hilarious rescue mission, SpongeBob and his pals prove there’s nothing stronger than the power of friendship.
Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke) and SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) are driven around by Awkwafina’s awkward android.
Sponge on the Run, the third feature-length SpongeBob film, also marks the first time a SpongeBob motion picture event was entirely computer-animated. This style of animation may be one of the only things a die-hard Squarepants-fan may have an issue with, as it strays a little from the traditional two-dimensional style. As a result, some of the background characters don’t have the same kind of ‘character’ as they lack that original and comfortable artistic style. However, the public has learned how much this franchise is evolving and growing in the next few years with spin-off shows, showcasing secondary characters and elevating them to their own spotlight. This style of animation is just part of that evolution. There was something extremely interesting about this style of animation, as it just seemed like SpongeBob for the 21st century; rich, layered and if possible, even more colorful than the original.
There are other fantastic surprises that audiences will enjoy. Most notably, the hilarious celebrity-cameo of Keanu Reeves, who gives us yet another Canadian connection. Reeves’ cameo was responsible not only for some of the more entertaining elements but that random, meta-humor audiences have grown to love from this franchise.
Fear not Squarepants-fans, as the film still has plenty for you to enjoy. The entire cast of characters are all part of this story; Sandy (Carolyn Lawrence), Mr. Krabbs (Clancy Brown), Squidward (Rodger Bumpass), and Plankton (Mr. Lawrence) all play their part, and all have great little vignettes regarding how SpongeBob as touched their lives. The cast regulars are joined by some other great celebrity surprises aside from Keanu, with Awkwafina voicing a robot-chauffeur, and Matt Berry lending his silky-smooth smarm to the voice of King Poseidon.
This is a story that many superfans will feel is familiar. In fact, the SpongeBob episode entitled “Have You Seen this Snail” is the inspiration for the main plot. Writer/Director Tim Hill does dip his creative toes in the water slightly when the audience is introduced to a series of flashbacks to Kamp Koral, where we become familiar with a very young SpongeBob who meets Patrick and Sandy for the first time, even helping a young Squidward in his awkward prepubescent troubles. These flashbacks did feel very shoehorned, however, and knowing this subplot is the launching pad for a Kamp Koral spinoff series, seems self-serving in retrospective. With the short run time of the film (91 minutes), it’s more than forgivable.
Yet, was SpongeBob, in over two-decades of hijinks, ever about the story? Not really. Was it ever about plot? No, arguably not. It is about loveable characters, friendship, and making a difference in the lives of those around us. Overall, Sponge on the Run was a very enjoyable, but very safe SpongeBob foray, but to come full circle, there’s something so inherently ‘Canadian’ about this film, the strange and specific release in Canadian theatres seems almost too perfect. It teaches morals about being a good neighbor, it resonates with motifs of camaraderie, and in a time when we are struggling to connect with loved ones, this little adventure about underwater cartoon characters shows us what it means to connect to one another.