SpongeBob has another DVD out. Hurray…not. Let me make this abundantly clear up front: I hate SpongeBob. I know, travesty, you say. But it’s true. Not only do I hate SpongeBob, I would go as far as to say I wish I could use his face to wash out the inside of the litter box my two cats use, or something else equally disgusting. Or perhaps I would give him to a hermit crab to use as a water fountain. Either way, he would not be in my living room, on my television, for my viewing displeasure.
That said, the episodes on SpongeBob SquarePants : Truth or Square are actually not that bad. There were five episodes on the disc. “Truth or Square” (the extended director’s cut) is the main episode on the disc and focuses on the Krusty Krab’s Eleventy Seventh anniversary. When SpongeBob and all of his buddies try to get an ice sculpture of a giant Krabby Patty out of the freezer, they all get locked in and they reminisce about becoming friends and the opening of the Krusty Krab. “Porous Pockets,” the next installation on the DVD, is not as entertaining but will still bring in some laughs as SpongeBob sells his so-called giant pearl. Other shenanigans on the disc include “Choir Boys” in which SpongeBob faces off against Squidward in the Men’s Choir competition, “Krusty Krushers” during which Patrick and SpongeBob take up tag team wrestling and “The Card” where SpongeBob is searching for a certain rare trading card that Patrick happens to have.
While I didn’t really mind these episodes, it occurred to me that the first few seasons of the show were indefinitely better. Those episodes were not only wittier and better written, but they also had much more creative storylines. I’m not sure if the writers would have made it this far if they knew that an entire episode was going to be devoted to the Bikini Bottom Men’s Choir. My guess is that they would have quit before they started.
There are a bunch of great celebrity guest stars on this disc. Will Ferrell, Pink and Tina Fey all take part in the Krusty Krab festivities. LeBron James and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog also get in on the action. And of course you can’t leave out Robin Williams, Rosario Dawson or Ricky Gervais, who also appear in cameo roles. Also, there are quite a few laughs, especially when Mr. Krabs tells Patrick there is only one way out and Patrick infers higher education is the key. The animation is done pretty well, and the sound quality is great. Overall, I’m not a huge fan of SpongeBob SquarePants : Truth or Square, but it is just the sort of thing children and their families will enjoy, especially if they are already fans of the little guy. It's recommended for anyone who is a fan of the show.
DVD Bonus Features
There is a behind the scenes video of the filming of the tenth anniversary opening of SpongeBob. Everything in the new opening is three dimensional, which is kind of cool looking. Also, there are karaoke music videos for a few of the songs. I would take the time to actually watch the new opening, but the karaoke is up to you.
"SpongeBob SquarePants: Truth or Square" is on sale November 10, 2009 and is rated NR. Animation, Children & Family, Comedy. Directed by Alan Smart, Derek Drymon. Written by Stephen Hillenburg, Tim Hill, Derek Drymon. Starring Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, Ricky Gervais, Robin Williams, Rodger Bumpass, Rosario Dawson, Tina Fey, Tom Kenny, Will Ferrell, Nis Bank Mikkelsen.
