Netflix Brings The World’s Most Popular Cartoon Back In Wild New Movie
It’s almost a little too hard to believe that SpongeBob SquarePants made its debut on Nickelodeon over 25 years ago. Since then, the animated talking sponge has been featured in over 300 episodes and even a handful of feature-length movies. However, in Netflix’s new film Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, SpongeBob takes a back seat to the world’s favorite underwater-dwelling flying squirrel.
Saving Bikini Bottom Is A Sandy-Centric Story
For SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg, his fascination with marine biology began at a very early age. His interest in marine life never waned as Hillenburg began his career as a marine biologist and an educator at the Orange County Marine Institute. That experience steered Hillenburg into creating his popular animated series about life under the sea.
Since the show’s premiere, one of Hillenburg’s most popular characters has been the bull-headed yet friendly Sandy Cheeks. So it was only a matter of time until she got her chance to put her Texas-loving self on center stage. In Saving Bikini Bottom, not only is Sandy at the forefront, but the fate of Bikini Bottom rests in her little squirrel hands.
It’s Not Quite Mermaid Man And Barnacle Boy, But It’ll Do
Streaming only on Netflix, Saving Bikini Bottom tells the story of Bikini Bottom’s most perilous day. The entire town has been scooped out of the ocean by the Bureau of Official Texas Science laboratory. Determined to get to the bottom of the lab’s actions, Sandy and SpongeBob head up to the surface to investigate.
Meanwhile, the residents of Bikini Bottom remain in the dark about what has happened to their underwater community. They soon find out that Sue, the head of the laboratory, has nefarious plans in store for Bikini Bottom. She wishes to clone the residents of the town and sell them as pets.
The Gang’s All Here
As Sandy and SpongeBob uncover Sue’s plans, they attempt to put a stop to the power hungry boss. But when SpongeBob is captured, Sandy realizes that it’s up to her to not only save her friends, but her home as well.
For anyone familiar with the SpongeBob universe, all of the core components are present in Saving Bikini Bottom. Tom Kenny, Caroline Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, Clancy Brown, and Bill Fagerbakke all return to voice their respective characters. With the addition of Wanda Sykes and Craig Robinson, everyone plays their parts well.
The Voice Talent Is Better Than The Storytelling
However, compelling voice-work can only carry a film so much. The choice in the animation style is not only questionable, but it detracts from the charm of the show. The look of Saving Bikini Bottom feels more like a poorly rendered video game than it does a feature-length film.
Not to be outdone, the story itself feels more convoluted than one of Plankton’s plots to steal the Krabby Patty formula. With wild narrative swings and a lackluster payoff, there just isn’t enough substance in Saving Bikini Bottom to justify its 82 minute runtime. The film plays out more like a mash-up of previous SpongeBob plots than it does an original story.
May Not Please OG SpongeBob Fans
GFR SCORE
Saving Bikini Bottom isn’t the worst animated film out there, but it’s far from the best. Children under the age of 10 will likely enjoy what this SpongeBob film serves up. But for everyone else, it’s too disappointing and under-cooked to warrant a watch.
