On November 19th, 2004, Paramount Pictures released the first SpongeBob Movie. The movie followed SpongeBob and Patrick, two unlikely heroes who set out to find the crown of King Neptune to save Bikini Bottom. The film became one of the biggest box office successes of 2004, grossing over $ 140 million worldwide.
However, what makes the SpongeBob movie different from other films about cartoons? What is the factor that transforms this film from a simple kids’ movie into a cult classic that many demographics can enjoy to this day? For me, the answer is simply the writing and the message.
The film’s main message is growing up and the challenges with it. The film begins with SpongeBob being denied a new manager’s position at the Krusty Krab due to not being man enough. This directly connects with the audience, with many of them growing up with SpongeBob and now feeling the pressures of the real world, relating to SpongeBob’s struggle to grow up.
However, Plankton reveals his evil plan. He steals the crown of King Neptune and blames Mr.Krabs, resulting in King Neptune giving SpongeBob and Patrick six days to retrieve the crown or else Mr.Krabs will be fried. So SpongeBob and Patrick, despite all the odds against them, head towards Shell City to get the crown and save Mr. Krabs.
Throughout the journey, SpongeBob is constantly reminded of his immaturity, which, after being chased by a giant angular fish which results in SpongeBob losing the car, resulting in SpongeBob having an emotional breakdown in front of Patrick. SpongeBob says, “What about us? WE’LL never survive in that trench! You said it yourself, this is man’s country. And let’s face it, Pat. We’re just… kids.” SpongeBob feels like he can’t do anything and is nothing more than a kid; however, SpongeBob regains his confidence due to the king’s daughter, Mindy, convincing SpongeBob and Patrick that they are “men,” which gives them enough confidence to finish their journey. And once SpongeBob realizes the mustaches are not real, he has already made it to Shell City, proving that he can do anything despite his immaturity.
SpongeBob’s full revelation is at the end of the film. Plankton has used mind control to turn everyone into zombies and is about to use King Neptune to fry SpongeBob and Patrick. SpongeBob gives one last speech, “I guess you’re right, Plankton. [looks down] I am just a kid. And you know, I’ve been through a lot in the past six days, five minutes, twenty-seven-and-a-half seconds. And if I’ve learned anything during that time, it’s that you are who you are. And no amount of mermaid magic…[Turns to Mindy] or managerial promotion…[Turns to the frozen Mr. Krabs]… or some other third thing… can make me anything more than what I really am inside: A kid. [over microphone] But that’s okay! Because I did what everyone said a kid COULDN’T do! I made it to Shell City, and I beat the Cyclops, and I rode the Hasselhoff, and I brought the crown BACK! So, yeah, I’m a kid!” This is SpongeBob accepting himself, yes, he is a kid and isn’t the most mature person, however, he understands what he just went through, despite his childishness, he was able to do what many others couldn’t. This childness is also what saves Bikini Bottom, as SpongeBob begins singing a song that breaks Plankton’s mind control. This proves to the audience that it’s okay to be goofy and that anyone can do anything. At the beginning of the story, no one believed in SpongeBob, but at the end, he proved that you can do anything despite your flaws.
The SpongeBob Movie sets out not only to entertain the audience but also to convey a message about being true to oneself. Many may write off the film as a cheap cash-grab kids’ film that you throw on to keep toddlers entertained; however, the SpongeBob ends up being a well-written piece about growing up that many fans of the series who were growing up at the time related to, which has resulted in it, in my opinion, being one of the best film ever made.
