The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water is zany, clever and fun (and in 3-D), as long as you can take 93 minutes of it. As I exited the theatre, I heard a father telling his young son wearily: “That’s about all the SpongeBob I can take.” The son, it seemed, could have taken a few hours more.

Clearly, the screenwriters were having a ball as the film is full of unexplained randomness, like SpongeBob and friends morphing into superheroes. It all works, more so because of the tight editing and economical run-time. Kids might not necessarily get the message about pooling in resources to solve a big problem but then you don’t watch SpongeBob for social messages.

They know that it’s the familiar stuff that makes kids tick, and they’ve struck a fine balance between delivering all that we love and adore about SpongeBob, and the ‘newness’ that he suddenly finds himself in. As always the voice work is adorable, as is the soundtrack. There’s really nothing much to complain about, aside from the fact that this film will probably go under the radar. So take your kids to the theatre, and have fun.

Considering this to be a children’s film, the plot is a bit complex and a torture to keep track of. The humour too is not focussed; it oscillates from catering to the adults and children.

Ultimately, with the chaotic excitement of the adventure, the little life’s lessons for the kids are lost in the narration. Nevertheless, kids will enjoy the film.

Watch this with kids, as the animation, prepped with the quirky nature of Spongebob makes this a must summer watch!