The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015)

There is a lot about the new "SpongeBob Squarepants" movie that is worth watching. The writing is often humorous, though a little thin at times, and the story is simple, but interesting, despite some wandering to make certain elements fit. It boasts a fun voice cast, including Matt Berry from great British shows like "The IT Crowd". The single most fun thing the movie introduced was Antonio Banderas as a pirate named Burger Beard, who steals a burger formula from Mr. Krabs (SpongeBob's boss), and plunges the underwater community of Bikini Bottom into complete chaos. He is having so much fun chewing scenery, that it is almost infectious.

However, it is almost instantly forgettable. Walking out of the film you will have trouble remembering most of what you have seen. Especially since the live action/CGI scenes that all of the promotions lean on take up roughly 10 minutes of the last part of film, and all of the jokes were in the trailers. And did they really need to be superheroes? Really? The biggest problem with the film though, as with the show, and the first movie, is that its protagonist, and his best friend, are so incredibly annoying. It is truly unbearable. There are a few meta jokes that play on this thought, but they aren't enough to curb how badly you just want these two to shut up.

Grade: C

3D: It makes use in the eye-popping way, but doesn't enhance the enjoyment.

Easter Egg: Yes. 

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown

Director: Paul Tibbitt

Writers: Glen Berger & Jonathan Aibel - Story: Stephen Hillenburg (also Creator) & Paul Tibbitt

RT: 93 min

Rating: PG for mild action and rude humor

Two Sentences:

The Loft (2014): 5 friends share an apartment for their extra-marital hook-ups, and find one of the women they have slept with dead, in this bland, poorly written thriller. A few excellent performances, and Nicolas Karakatsanis' excellent cinematography keep this film from completely dying from the first frame.

Grade: D+