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Our take
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie is a silly cartoon about friendship and growing up. Deep-sea monsters, an anglerfish, and a diver who collects sea creatures bring mild scares, but the peril is bloodless and goofy. A long ice-cream-bar sequence has SpongeBob and Patrick behaving as though drunk. We put it at around 7 and up, with a parent nearby if the underwater scares feel too jumpy.
Uplifting themes
The heart of it is loyalty and believing in yourself. SpongeBob stands by his boss, learns that being a 'kid' is nothing to be ashamed of, and finds courage he did not know he had. Friendship and not giving up carry the day SpongeBob and Patrick stay sweet and brave even when they are in over their heads, and they never give up on each other. They model teamwork and kindness, with plenty of foolishness along the way
Story (may spoil tone)
There's trouble brewing in Bikini Bottom. Someone has stolen King Neptune's crown, and it looks like Mr. Krab, SpongeBob's boss, is the culprit. Though he's just been passed over for the promotion of his dreams, SpongeBob stands by his boss, and along with his best pal Patrick, sets out on a treacherous mission to Shell City to reclaim the crown and save Mr. Krab's life.
Details
Violence Threats to kill are played for cartoon laughs, and there is slapstick b…
Threats to kill are played for cartoon laughs, and there is slapstick bonking, chasing, and a masked diver who harpoons and dries out sea creatures for trinkets. It all stays bloodless and goofy
Drugs / alcohol SpongeBob and Patrick overindulge at an ice-cream bar, stagger about as…
SpongeBob and Patrick overindulge at an ice-cream bar, stagger about as though drunk, and wake up groggy. The sequence parodies a night of drinking without showing alcohol
Frightening A few stretches turn mildly spooky, with a monster-filled trench, a sna…
A few stretches turn mildly spooky, with a monster-filled trench, a snapping anglerfish chase, and a masked diver who shrinks and mounts sea creatures. Little kids may find those bits tense, though they pass quickly
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
Family watch notes
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Talk after watching
- SpongeBob is told he is 'just a kid.' How do you talk with your child about proving yourself and growing up at their own pace?
- The heroes fake being drunk on ice cream. Did your kids read that as funny, and how do you explain what it was poking fun at?
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The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
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