If your TV has spent any time on Nickelodeon this weekend, as mine has, you know Monday night is the big premiere of SpongeBob's TV movie, "Atlantis SquarePantis." The 45-minute special follows SpongeBob and friends on a trip to the lost city of Atlantis. And if you are home for the Veteran's Day holiday (the kids will be out of school), then be warned, it's a SpongeBob marathon leading up to the movie premiere.
The premise is amusing. Two simpletons and their friends going to the advanced world of Atlantis. It's also a musical, so that adds to the silliness. The folks at Nick are proud that they landed David Bowie for this special. Mom and Dad will likely recall who Bowie is - well, if they know anything about the 70s. But the coup is lost on the kids, who only really see a funny script play out before their eyes. Bowie doesn't sing, which is a bit of a disappointment since this is a musical.
It movie starts with SpongeBob and Patrick being SpongeBob and Patrick. SpongeBob is carefully blowing bubbles and Patrick is trying to capture the bubbles on film. But every time the camera flashes, the bubbles pop.
The friends break into song - one of many.
They happen to be engulfed by a bubble, which bursts before half of a golden token that unlocks the key to the lost city Atlantis. They take it back home where Squidward announces, "You boobs found the missing half of the Atlantian amulet!...It's the key to untold riches."
Eugene drools, but the goofy duo only is intrigued by a picture of the oldest living bubble. And so the adventure begins. Planton makes a minor appearance, trying to rule the world, as always.
Bowie plays Lord Royal Highness, who gives a tour to SpongeBob and friends. Eugene is pulled away by the treasure, Sandy is mesmerized by the science, Squidward is swept away by the art and SpongeBob and Patrick have to see the bubble - that just happens to be more than one million years old. Left alone with this Atlantian treasure, Patrick has to take a picture and well, it's SpongeBob. Silliness obviously ensues.
The movie is funny, and the kids will love it. But Bowie not breaking into song was disappointing.
The premiere follows with a short on the making of SpongeBob, called "Behind the Pantis - How We Made Atlantis SquarePantis," which may be interesting to older kids and mom and dad fans.
If the kids like this enough, Nick is releasing it on DVD on Tuesday, Nov. 13. I spied it advertised for $10 at BestBuy.
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.
