This rockin’ compilation boasts five uproarious party-themed episodes, including SpongeBob’s Big Birthday Blowout, which ranked as the #1 show for the year across kid networks among K2-11, K6-11, K9-14, and K12-17.
I’ve watched a couple of episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants over the years with both of my nephews and while the show can be funny and entertaining, it works best in small doses. After four or five episodes, the humor can begin to wear thin and SpongeBob’s voice can become very grating and irksome. When Paramount sent me their latest title, “SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom Bash” on DVD, I thought I was going to have sit through an entire season but thankfully, it is only five episodes, albeit extended ones.
The five episodes, “SpongeBob’s Big Birthday Bash,” “SpongeBob’s House Party,” “Sun Bleached,” “The Slumber Party,” and “Truth or Square,” are from seasons 3, 6, and 12 and are obviously a ‘Best Of’ compilation. While I like the animation, overall, throughout most of the five episodes, the action cuts from the cartoon to live-action and includes guest stars such as David Hasselhoff, Kel Mitchell, Jack Griffo, Daniella Perkins, and Pink, who is reduced to nothing more than a glorified cameo. Once we cut to live-action, the show seems to lose some of its appeal as these segments feel like they are aimed squarely at a much younger audience but once we return to the animation, however, its core audience appears to jump in age as the animated sequences are funnier and give the producers a lot more leeway in creating any situation or circumstance they want, while they appear to be restrained in live-action, probably due to budget restraints.
“Truth or Square” had to be my favorite and it centers on the Krusty Krab celebrating its eleventy-seventh anniversary but before Mr. Krabs can open the restaurant, he, SpongeBob, Squidward, and Patrick get trapped in the freezer and have to escape through the ventilation system. As they get lost in the array of massive air vents, they each recall some of their favorite moments throughout the series, and at the same time, must thwart Plankton from stealing the secret Krabby Patty formula, all before the angry customers outside the restaurant decide to go home, preventing Mr. Krabs from making lots of money.
The other four episodes had some funny moments but consistently cut between animation and live-action and this element became more of a distraction for me and while “Truth or Square” follows suit, the story and the humor seemed to overshadow the live-action segments and made it more entertaining for me as a whole. I would recommend this collection of episodes for true SpongeBob die-hard fans only.
Available on DVD April 28th
