The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

SpongeBob SquarePants has always been aimed much more at childish adults than actual children, and this deranged comical adventure is no exception. Youngsters may giggle at the relentless silliness, but it's the grown-ups who will enjoy the script's continual raucous mayhem, including a stream of innuendo that's genuinely hilarious. This film also manages to bridge the gap between the TV show's hand-drawn style and eye-catching 3D live-action digital animation as our heroes head above the surface for the first time.

It kicks off as usual under the sea in Bikini Bottom, just as the recipe for the town's addictive snack, the Krabby Patty, is stolen. Everyone thinks the villain has to be fast-food rival Plankton (Mr. Lawrence), but Krabby Burger cook SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) believes Plankton is innocent this time. As Bikini Bottom descends into a post-Krabby apocalypse, SpongeBob assembles his pals to set things right, including dimwitted starfish Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke), blustering boss Mr Krabs (Clancy Brown), the clueless Squidward (Rodger Bumpass) and the hyperactive squirrel Sandy (Carolyn Lawrence). On their quest, they get unexpected help from, yes, galactic guardian dolphin Bubbles (Matt Berry) to travel to dry land and confront the thief, an opportunistic pirate named Captain BurgerBeard (Antonio Banderas).

Everything about this film is so completely bonkers that we have little choice but to sit back and just go with it, especially as the screenwriters continually add random elements to get themselves out of various plot corners. For example, to take on BurgerBeard, the team manages to acquire superpowers that lead to a massive Avengers-style action-chase sequence. Not one moment makes even a bit of sense, and yet the film is so cheerful that we can't help but enjoy every random bit of knowing silliness. Even Banderas' hammy, over-the-top performance grows on us as it goes along.

Frankly, the filmmakers' freewheeling approach and willingness to indulge in playful absurdity makes this movie a lot fresher than big studio animated movies that take the safest route through a story. Here the animators are allowed to indulge in flights of visual fancy that are outrageously out-of-the-blue and genuinely amusing (the photo-booth time-machine is particularly inspired). Meanwhile, the script is packed with hysterical wordplay, movie references, topical gags and a story that continually flips in on itself. And deep under all the chaotic nuttiness there's a solid comment on avoiding collective paranoia to make a smart decision and work together to solve a big problem. The kids may miss this message completely, but then it's not meant for them.

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water Trailer