DVD Review: SpongeBob SquarePants: Extreme Kah-Rah-Tay

DVD Reviews, Reviews

Can the sponge be deadlier than the hand? In the case of SpongeBob SquarePants (Mr. Show‘s Tom Kenny), the answer is maybe. Although his danger comes from his overwhelming desire to the be helpful. He crushes opponents with kindness and annoying pleas of gratitude. SpongeBob SquarePants: Extreme Kah-Rah-Tay brings together eight episodes of chopsocky action and dangerous stunts from seasons 8 and 9.

“Squid Defense” (Season 9) aired on New Year’s Day. Who knew there was a ghetto in Bikini Bottom? It seemed like such an sweet underwater town free of riff raff. But it turns out there’s danger lurking around every corner and Squidward needs to learn karate to feel safe once more. But how secure can you feel with SpongeBob as your instructor? Luckily he gets a deeper understanding from Sandy the Squirrel. Once he barely masters a few moves, he takes action into his semi-dangerous tentacles. “The Way of the Sponge” (Season 8) allows SpongeBob to train with a master. However he’s so bad of a student that he loses the belt that holds up his Squarepants. These are the two episodes that deal with the ancient art of Kah-Rah-Tay.

“House Sittin’ for Sandy” (Season 8) illustrates why it’s a bad idea to let SpongeBob watch your worms while you’re gone for the day. “The Krabby Patty That Ate Bikini Bottom” (Season 8) pays homage to the giant monster movies that once dominated the Drive-in theaters. Mister Krabs (Highlander‘s Clancy Brown) finds a giant soybean at Sandy’s Treehouse. She tells him of her amazing growth formula. Naturally he steals it for use in a Krabby Patty. The result is horrific as the town gets overwhelmed with a Godzilla sized patty. “Extreme Spots” (Season 9) features guest voice Johnny Knoxville (Jackass) as Johnny Krill. SpongeBob and Patrick (Coach‘s Bill Fagerbakke) do their most outrageous stunts to impress Johnny and join the Drasticals. “Squirrel Record” (Season 9) has Sandy go overboard in an attempt to set all the records in Bikini Bottom. “Face Freeze!” plays off your mom’s warning that if you make a stupid face, it’ll stick. Mr. Krabs tells it to SpongeBob and Patrick. The duo get scared stiff by the tale. “Demolition Dofus” finally puts SpongeBob’s bad driving in the right forum when his teacher enters him in a demolition derby. Is this his natural calling?

SpongeBob SquarePants: Extreme Kah-Rah-Tay keeps up the adrenaline action deep under the sea. The first two episodes deal with the marital arts. The yellow sponge isn’t going to be a threat to Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan. The remaining six are equally dangerous with the battles against fear and mutant a Krabby Patty.

The video is 1.33:1 full frame. The Season 9 episodes are letterboxed for 1.78:1, but are not anamorphic. The audio is Dolby Digital 2.o You’ll feel SpongeBob’s voice rise and fall. The episodes are Closed Captioned.

There are no bonus features.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Extreme Kah-Rah-Tay is another 8 episodes of hyperactive weirdness from down under the sea. Johnny Knoxville makes a cameo to bring a second daredevil into Bikini Bottom. Overall a fine compilation of freaktion from seasons 8 and 9.

Nickelodeon and Paramount present SpongeBob SquarePants: Extreme Kah-Rah-Tay. Starring: Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown and Johnny Knoxville. Boxset Contents: 8 episodes on 1 DVDs. Released: January 15, 2013. Available at Amazon.com.

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.