Since 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has been creating waves of laughter in kids’ homes worldwide, becoming an instant Nickelodeon icon and often regarded as one of the greatest cartoons of all time.

He has built a loyal following of both kids and adults, and his fame has extended beyond the highly successful cartoon series and into various other media, most recently becoming a playable character in the hit video game, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, along with Patrick Star.

It was only a matter of time before everyone’s favourite sea sponge leapt onto the big screen in 2004’s The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, and his latest film, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, is ready to set sail into cinemas worldwide for the Christmas holidays.

SpongeBob has officially become a big guy, now old enough for big guy things. After realising he’s too scared to go on a big guy ride with Patrick, his boss, Mr Krabs, inspires him and decides to try and prove his bravery by following the legendary pirate ghost, the Flying Dutchman, on a seafaring adventure into the deepest parts of the unexplored ocean. SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star embark on a swashbuckling adventure filled with comedy, challenges, and marine mysteries, all while facing the ghost himself.

The film stars many of the original voice actors from the cartoon series. Tom Kenny reprises his iconic roles as SpongeBob SquarePants and Gary the Snail. He brings the same charm, humour, enthusiasm, and his signature laugh as seen in the cartoon series. Joining him is his best friend, Patrick Star, with Bill Fagerbakke returning to voice him, who is as unintelligent as ever but has a heart of gold.

Also repressing their roles are Clancy Brown as Mr Krabs, Rodger Bumpass as Squidward Tentacles, Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy Cheeks, and Mr Lawrence as Plankton. George Lopez, Ice Spice,” Gaston, Arturo Castro, Sherry Cola, and Regina Hall also star as various other characters.

The Flying Dutchman, a recurring character in the TV series, is the main antagonist of the film. Unfortunately, Brian Doyle-Murray doesn’t return to voice the character; Mark Hamill takes over. Mark is no stranger to voice acting, but since this is the first time the Flying Dutchman has ever appeared in a movie and Brian Doyle-Murray is still an active voice actor, not getting him to reprise his role does seem like a blow just to get more star power.

Thankfully, Brian will continue the role outside the film, and Mark Hamill does an excellent job not only voicing the Flying Dutchman but also portraying him in live action, which is some of the film’s most hilarious moments.

SpongeBob’s latest adventure on the big screen will bring plenty of laughs, thrills, and spills, but it is also full of heartfelt moments. All the characters are just like how they are in the show, and all get plenty of memorable moments.

It is full of jokes, puns, and innuendos, many of which don’t seem suitable for kids. Parents should probably watch the trailer first and decide whether it’s okay for their children to see it. They’re the type of jokes that kids will just giggle at, but adults will know the real meaning behind them. It’s a wonder how the film gets away with a lot of these jokes, but they’re no doubt hilarious.

The latest SpongeBob film isn’t without its faults, however. The overall story does send some positive messages about friendship and loyalty, but it seems to rely heavily on its jokes to carry the movie. As with any other film adaptation, fans will be expecting big things that exceed their expectations, but the latest SpongeBob movie can’t quite seem to reach that mark, just falling short of being something special and will leave fans wanting more.

Like the previous two film adaptations, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants uses 3D animation, unlike the show’s 2D art style, but it keeps the same spirit and presentation that make the SpongeBob franchise what it is. All the characters behave just like they do in the show, and the 3D animation style closely reflects its 2D counterpart.

While we don’t get to hear the iconic theme song, the film still features a variety of tracks perfect for SpongeBob’s latest seafaring adventure. John Debney returns from the previous movie to compose the film’s score, and Ice Spice, who also has a voice role in the film, performs the original track, “Big Guy”, made just for the film.

SpongeBob’s latest appearance on the big screen certainly has its moments, some that audiences will want to watch again and again, but overall, it’s just an okay film. It’s not a terrible film by any means, but it feels too safe and relies more on its jokes to carry it.

It may not meet expectations, but fans, young and old, will appreciate seeing their favourite sea sponge gracing their cinema screens.

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants may not have reached its potential, but it’s still a fun film full of memorable, comedic, and heartfelt moments, perfect for the whole family this Christmas holiday season.

Written by: Sammy Hanson