The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run

Well, I did have certain expectations for this one hence the previous sequels. And, sadly, I was right. This is a SpongeBob movie that should've deserved a good plot accompanying the nice animation, but it's just a long, long disappointment.

Recycled jokes, check. Too slow reactions, check. Pointless side quests, check. Pointless cameos, check. Pointless hit music, check. Forcing the story forward without a smooth transition, check. Dragging ending with a weird unfolding, check.

Did not pay money for this, otherwise would want a refund.

This review will be divided into 2 parts with the first part talking a little about the message and the essence of the film and then a more critical part about the technical details. This film shows us a very interesting aspect of SpongeBob that has always been present in the work of Stephen Hillenburg, the fact that SpongeBob is himself and manages to captivate people and change their lives, both characters in the plot and the people who grew up watching the drawing; The film takes this more emotional side and shows how SpongeBob changed the lives of characters all thanks to his charisma, his kindness and his joy. All this positive energy is easily transmitted through the big screen becoming a pleasant film to see. Proving to everyone once again that the happiness and purity of a person who is simply himself can change the world around him.

Going into the technical details we can't help saying that no matter how much the cast tries and the writers try, SpongeBob and the incredible rescue still lacks the charm of the original 2004 film: Recycled jokes, useless side missions, Same goals, overall a lot of recycling of the original film. Although the film has some funny and entertaining moments the plot does not have the same fire and the same originality as the predecessors and this makes the film drag on. The 3D animation is fantastic, innovative, elegant and manages to create an atmosphere that fits perfectly with the theme of the film. SpongeBob and the Incredible Rescue It should have deserved a good plot to accompany its beautiful animation but we received an Incredible animation an incredible lesson and a terrible Rescue 7/10.

Sponge on the Run feels more like I was watching an episode than watching a movie. I can't say it's a bad movie since there are some redeemable things about it. The animation is great and has given the upgrade for the movie. In fact, much better quality than Kamp Koral. And it does have some decent charm from the show. The problem with this is the story often recycles elements from Spongebob episodes. Gary goes missing is already done. Spongebob and Patrick going on a road trip and have to face some challenges is already done. Plankton's worked plan to steal the formula is already done. And Spongebob's other friends on their way to get him is already done. Plus the fact instead of making this as a follow up to the original series, it often wants to be the introduction to Camp Koral. I see it wants to change a little bit from the series for Camp Koral. But when we gotten to the final act, it talks down to the audience with each backstory Spongebob's friends say when they were on Camp Koral with some morals and get on the nose about them. That and the characters don't really offer new for the movie. Now, you must keep in mind this is the kind of movie that's just an introduction to Camp Koral. If this is something that you would be interested in, this can be for you. If not (even as a Spongebob fan), then you won't really miss much. The movie isn't really that bad, but I feel this is the weakest of the Spongebob movies.

I'm a huge fan of 'SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-)'; I absolutely love the first three seasons of the show and the first movie. That's why it's so hard for me to say that 'The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On The Run (2020)', well, sucks. The movie has maybe one proper laugh in it, with only a few half-chuckles along the way, and its plot feels like a rehash of past narratives that's padded with unnecessary scenes - such as an absolutely pointless, painfully extended stint in live-action land that seems to only have been included so that the director could smoke weed with Snoop Dogg - and often stops dead in its tracks to cram in some continuity-crunching advertisements for the upcoming 'Kamp Koral' spin-off show. It's a huge disappointment, to say the least. Even an extended Keanu Reeves cameo can't elevate the affair - though his appearances are certainly some of the flick's highlights. There are some visually distinct sequences (its 3D animation is generally well-achieved) and, as I mentioned, a few half-chuckles here and there, but the feature just isn't all that enjoyable overall. It also lacks any real messaging or narrative satisfaction. Ultimately, it's a shadow of its former self. The difference in quality between this and the first flick is almost inconceivable. 4/10

Stephen Hillenburg was heavily against a spinoff of any kind. This movie is just an introduction to the spinoff that will be called 'Camp Coral'. While it's not prevelant at first, during the closing scenes it shifts from an animation movie to an ad. Most of the cast will be given a short clip of how they 'met' spongebob through a flashback to the soon to be made spinoff, even though there are entire episodes dedicated on how spongebob meets certain cast members. Continuity has never been a strong suit to the show but downright ignoring all character history is a disgrace.

The movie has some moments that you can enjoy. With my mind on the whole 'camp coral' it did make me laugh less than the average watcher. There isn't enough scenes that are downright funny. And lastly this didn't feel like an actual spongebob movie. This comes closer to a movie like Trolls than Spongebob with how many celebrities they actively show, the songs they sing and the story they tell. They chose popculture over entertainment.