SpongeBob Squarepants is a little yellow sponge that lives at the bottom of the sea. He lives in a pineapple house in a city called Bikini Bottom; works as a cook at a fast food joint called the Krusty Krab; and his best friend is a starfish named Patrick. Together they enjoy some great times just running around, catching jellyfish, and not really having a care in the world. The caring can be left up to their friends like Sandy the anal-retentive squirrel and Squidward Tentacles, a stuck-up octopus. That doesn’t stop them though from having fun and somehow always getting into the strangest of situations.
Contained on this disc is a small collection of episodes that truly display what SpongeBob and his friends are all about. They get into some pretty serious situations and those that really aren’t that serious, but still are to SB and Patrick. One episode even sees Squidward try to make his garden grow but ends up seeing himself keep getting bigger and bigger. Well, at least his nose does. One of the things that is promoting this DVD more then anything is the guest voice appearance of one Johnny Depp. In the episode that gives this DVD its title; SpongeBob, Squidward, and Patrick are whisked away by a giant tidal wave and they need help getting back home because their only method of return is to surf. Sadly, none of them know how to do so but that doesn’t stop the famed Jack Kahuna Laguna (Depp) from stepping in and giving the boys a hand. It’s a fun episode just like all the others, but Depp’s voice just gives adults and parents something more to smile about.
SpongeBob Squarepants is one of those animated series that can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike. It’s not that there is the random bit of dirty humor or anything, but there are some jokes that kids won’t necessarily get yet adults will. Kids will sit back and laugh at the funny characters and off the wall reactions that come from the characters. Adults will enjoy the totally absurd storylines and subtle humor while still being able to enjoy the same qualities of the show that kids like. It really is a show that can be entertaining for all ages, and this small set of episodes proves that point in a big way.
Episodes
SpongeBob Squarepants Vs. The Big One
A Life In A Day
Sun Bleached
Giant Squidward
No Nose Knows
Patty Caper
Plankton’s Regular
The episodes are shown in Full Screen format and look very good. The animation is incredibly smooth and all the colors are as bright as can be expected from Bikini Bottom. Not much change from what you see when watching them on the air.
The episodes are heard in Dolby Digital Stereo Sound and also come through sounding great. Every big of dialogue, every insane song, and every kooky sound effect is heard loud and clear.
Plankton’s Special Audio Commentary – Plankton sits down in a theater where we can see his silhouette (much like Mystery Science Theatre 3000) and watches the “Plankton’s Regular” episode. Basically it is him just tearing into SpongeBob and everyone else as he usually does everyday. Great stuff that is truly funny.
“Ridin’ The Hook” Music Video
SpongeBob Squarepants is one of the only cartoons from the present time that will actually go down in history as being memorable and actually good. The episodes are funny for any and everyone and they are more then entertaining to keep your attention for hours on end. The only problem is that there may be too many releases to merit purchasing this DVD. A lot of the complete seasons are already out there and if you own them, then you probably already have just about everything listed here. “SpongeBob Vs. The Big One” though is an episode I do believe hasn’t been released before. From doing some research, I’m not even entirely sure if it was ever even on television and this is the first and only way people can view it. Either way it is a great episode on a disc full of all good stuff including very few but fun special features. Check your collections first to see what SB material you own and then make your determination on grabbing this one or not.
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Nickelodeon presents SpongeBob Vs. The Big One. Created by: Stephen Hillenburg. Starring: Tom Kenny, Roger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, and more. Running time: 89 minutes. Rating: Unrated. Released on DVD: March 3, 2009. Available at Amazon.com
