First (and best) of the feature-length SPONGEBOB films manages to expand the franchise while holding on to the charm and nutty fun of the series. Better yet, it pulls you into its silly story even as it breaks the frame with a live-action gang of jolly pirates, parenthetically opening & closing the fable with a visit to the local bijou to watch the climax. Back in the animated universe under the sea, the story bookends on SpongeBob’s dream job managing the new Krusty Krab operation, but the narrative engine takes him off on a dangerous adventure with trusty sidekick Patrick StarFish to retrieve King Neptune’s crown from Shell City. A storyline too close to the old WIZARD OF OZ/’39 musical to be accidental. Not just the usual classic film reference gags seen in so many animation series, but used to move things along story beat by story beat. Right down to equivalents for the Flying Monkeys (with the same quick changing allegiances); an air-filled balloon to accidentally fly off without them; Neptune’s daughter as Glinda the Good Witch; and many more. Creator Stephen Hillenburg even daring a few scary moments likely to upset little tykes. (Not OZ nightmare inducing, but pretty dark as animated fish go!) Fun technically, too, with a brighter than bright tv palette on the hand-drawn animation. The whole film a pleasure to look at and root for.
DOUBLE-BILL/LINK: The first sequel - https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-spongebob-movie-sponge-out-of-water.html
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