The Globe and Mail (Toronto) by
However, for me and my two kids (aged 10 and eight), this dive into the deep sea wasn’t as thrilling an adventure as we’d hoped for.
✭ ✭ ✭ Read critic reviews
Korea, United States · 2020
Rated PG · 1h 31m
Director Tim Hill
Starring Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, Mr. Lawrence
Genre Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Please login to add films to your watchlist.
While working on a new plan to steal the Krabby Patty formula, Plankton realizes that SpongeBob has thwarted all his previous schemes, not Mr. Krabs. In order to get SpongeBob out of the way, he kidnaps Gary, SpongeBob’s pet snail, and sells him to Poseidon, who uses snail slime to keep his skin smooth.
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) by
However, for me and my two kids (aged 10 and eight), this dive into the deep sea wasn’t as thrilling an adventure as we’d hoped for.
This time around, writer-director Tim Hill steps in, and he’s managed to take the goofy denizens of Bikini Bottom on a road trip that is visually dazzling and almost consistently hilarious, mixing verbal and physical humor, as well as some perfectly chosen cameos, both in-person and among the voice cast.
If the SpongeBob franchise has finally gone on the run, it seems like it’s left the audience that matters most in the dust.
Sponge on the Run sprints by too fast to dwell on the moments when it runs out of breath, and the mad science that Hillenburg first experimented with on “Rocko’s Modern Life” still draws from such a textured palette of sweet insanity that you can’t help but keep watching.
The Hollywood Reporter by David Rooney
The frenetic plot makes about as much sense as it needs to within this world of slapstick insanity, random detours, crazy chases, gambling fever and a talent quest for "the coveted Campy Award." You'll either give in to it, or you won't.
The A.V. Club by Ignatiy Vishnevetsky
There are too many montages and musical numbers that seem to be searching for a punchline.
While it's not as wonderfully weird as it could have been, the latest SpongeBob movie still delivers silly, family fun.
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run is a capricious and touching surrealist kiddie ride that, in its sugar-high way, is as much a celebration of friendship as the “Toy Story” films.
It works as a buddy road movie (as is Patrick’s argument) and as a hero’s quest (as SpongeBob argues). Either way, there is not a lot of twists and turns complicating matters, save for one outrageous side-trip.