SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis
Encyclopedia
SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis is a television film and musical from the fifth season
of the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants
. The film first aired in the United States on November 12, 2007, following a 12-hour-marathon of SpongeBob SquarePants episodes. It attracted an estimated 8.8 million viewers. Behind the Pantis, a short special telling how the film was made, followed the main film.
, its origin and other things, including the Oldest Living Bubble, to SpongeBob's delight. Sandy, who overheard them, steps in, mentioning Atlantis' science. Sandy, Patrick, Mr. Krabs and SpongeBob convince Squidward to link the two halves together since if the two halves were joined, the path to Atlantis would open.
The magical path (a luxurious bus) is opened. The captain tells the group to refill fuel, but he reveals the fuel as song (Music). The group sings about their desires. Plankton sneaks on wanting to use Atlantis's powerful weapons to become king of the city. Patrick at last, causes the bus to crash by singing his own song and stops in the middle as he does not know what he likes when he says that part. The bus crashes in to a topiary garden in Atlantis. There, they meet the Atlantean King, Lord Royal Highness (David Bowie
), who shows them a grand tour of the fortress. During the tour, Mr. Krabs, Sandy and Squidward each get distracted by places in Atlantis; Mr. Krabs unsurprisingly by the treasury room, Sandy by the science lab, and Squidward by the art gallery. Each sings their own song about how much they love Atlantis.
Meanwhile, Plankton checks out the Weaponry Room. He then chooses his weapon, a tank
. Finally, SpongeBob and Patrick get to see the world's oldest living bubble alive, over 1 million years old. They take a picture of it, which causes the bubble to pop. They are afraid to speak, saying they have to go back to Bikini Bottom (SpongeBob makes an excuse that Gary misses him). Then, Patrick shouts out the 'truth' ("WE DESTROYED YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION!", "It's not a joke! We burst the Bubble!").
Lord Royal Highness is not mad at SpongeBob and Patrick for popping the bubble, saying that the one they popped was just a tourist attraction ("That's not the real bubble! It's just a prop for the tourists."). He then shows them the real oldest living bubble, but once again, when Patrick takes a picture of it, it pops. Angered, Lord Royal Highness summons the Atlantean Royal Guard to attack, but the gang manage to escape (thanks to Sandy using them as makeshift weaponry; Patrick as a shuriken, SpongeBob as a shield, Squidward as a gun, and Mr. Krabs as a grasscutter). Just when they escape outside with the royal guards still in pursuit, Plankton comes in and tries to destroy them with the tank he found, but it showers the group with strawberry ice cream
, much to Plankton's dismay ("Ice cream? It shoots ICE CREAM?!"). Lord Royal Highness picks Plankton up saying that a "talking speck" would be a better replacement for the bubble. Lord Royal Highness removes the Amulet from the bus and orders a royal guard to dispose of it. SpongeBob is ready to go home, but Patrick, Sandy, Mr. Krabs and Squidward all cry because they want to stay in Atlantis; even though SpongeBob does not.
, and currently the highest audience in the series' history. Despite the hype surrounded by "Atlantis SquarePantis" and the special receiving high ratings, the special received generally negative reviews from television critics, with an average score of 6.2 from TV.com. The special was given generally mixed to negative reviews from fans, many of whom saw the special as a sign of declining quality and that the episode did not live up to the standards of previous specials. Tom Shales
, a television critic for The Washington Post
, lambasted the movie in a 11 November 2007 review. In the review, titled Sweet Life of SpongeBob, Shales wrote that "the funniest thing about the film is its title" and "a typical episode has about as many laughs as this inflated version does". Shales also criticized the musical numbers in Atlantis SquarePantis, calling them "numbing". He concluded the review saying, however, that the special was "cool" and "impressive".
In addition, Ian Jane of DVD Talk
said "If you've got the Season Five DVD set and intend to collect future seasons, you might want to wait for the exclusive material in this set to show up there. That said, this is a fun selection of solid episodes and the feature attraction is excellent. Extras could have been more in-depth but as it stands, Paramount has done a nice job on this release and SpongeBob SquarePants: Atlantis Squarepantis comes recommended."
version was released the day after the show premiered, featuring the TV movie and six bonus episodes: "Money Talks", "SpongeBob vs. the Patty Gadget", "Slimy Dancing", "The Krusty Sponge", "Sing a Song of Patrick", and "Picture Day" (The UK release has "The Krusty Plate", "Pat No Pay", "The Inmates of Summer", "To Save a Squirrel", "20,000 Patties Under the Sea", and "The Battle of Bikini Bottom" as bonus episodes). It also featured a bonus DVD containing a sneak peek of the then new Nickelodeon TV series The Mighty B!
.
SpongeBob SquarePants (season 5)
The fifth season of SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on April 13, 2007, with the episode "Friend or Foe". Just like in season four, the season DVDs were split by volume. The volume one DVD was released in Region 1 on September 4, 2007. The volume two DVD was released on November 18, 2008...
of the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centers on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of "Bikini Bottom"...
. The film first aired in the United States on November 12, 2007, following a 12-hour-marathon of SpongeBob SquarePants episodes. It attracted an estimated 8.8 million viewers. Behind the Pantis, a short special telling how the film was made, followed the main film.
Plot
The show begins with SpongeBob blowing bubbles and Patrick taking pictures of them, causing them to pop. Patrick then destroys the camera, saying it is not fast enough. SpongeBob thinks it is the very nature of the fragile bubble. He then sings a song about bubbles, then accidentally blows a larger bubble than expected and is unable to pop thanks to the Extra strength bubble liquid. It lifts SpongeBob and Patrick off the ground and they eventually float into a cave. Then, a broken coin (half of the Atlantean Amulet) pops the bubble. Patrick assumes the amulet belonged to SpongeBob's ancient ancestors (SquarePantis). They take it to the Bikini Bottom museum to see if the staff there know what it is. There, Mr. Krabs sets up his own admission booth, but soon takes it down when a person who he cheated of money complained to a Museum security guard. Patrick and SpongeBob run into Squidward, who was busy painting. Squidward thinks SpongeBob and Patrick stole the missing half of the Amulet. He soon matches it to the displayed other half of the Amulet. Then, Mr. Krabs, interested in the untold riches, runs into Squidward, who tells Mr. Krabs how the streets were paved with gold and street lights made of diamonds (Mr. Krabs soon finds out that both cases are not true). Squidward teaches Mr. Krabs, SpongeBob and Patrick about AtlantisAtlantis
Atlantis is a legendary island first mentioned in Plato's dialogues Timaeus and Critias, written about 360 BC....
, its origin and other things, including the Oldest Living Bubble, to SpongeBob's delight. Sandy, who overheard them, steps in, mentioning Atlantis' science. Sandy, Patrick, Mr. Krabs and SpongeBob convince Squidward to link the two halves together since if the two halves were joined, the path to Atlantis would open.
The magical path (a luxurious bus) is opened. The captain tells the group to refill fuel, but he reveals the fuel as song (Music). The group sings about their desires. Plankton sneaks on wanting to use Atlantis's powerful weapons to become king of the city. Patrick at last, causes the bus to crash by singing his own song and stops in the middle as he does not know what he likes when he says that part. The bus crashes in to a topiary garden in Atlantis. There, they meet the Atlantean King, Lord Royal Highness (David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
), who shows them a grand tour of the fortress. During the tour, Mr. Krabs, Sandy and Squidward each get distracted by places in Atlantis; Mr. Krabs unsurprisingly by the treasury room, Sandy by the science lab, and Squidward by the art gallery. Each sings their own song about how much they love Atlantis.
Meanwhile, Plankton checks out the Weaponry Room. He then chooses his weapon, a tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
. Finally, SpongeBob and Patrick get to see the world's oldest living bubble alive, over 1 million years old. They take a picture of it, which causes the bubble to pop. They are afraid to speak, saying they have to go back to Bikini Bottom (SpongeBob makes an excuse that Gary misses him). Then, Patrick shouts out the 'truth' ("WE DESTROYED YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION!", "It's not a joke! We burst the Bubble!").
Lord Royal Highness is not mad at SpongeBob and Patrick for popping the bubble, saying that the one they popped was just a tourist attraction ("That's not the real bubble! It's just a prop for the tourists."). He then shows them the real oldest living bubble, but once again, when Patrick takes a picture of it, it pops. Angered, Lord Royal Highness summons the Atlantean Royal Guard to attack, but the gang manage to escape (thanks to Sandy using them as makeshift weaponry; Patrick as a shuriken, SpongeBob as a shield, Squidward as a gun, and Mr. Krabs as a grasscutter). Just when they escape outside with the royal guards still in pursuit, Plankton comes in and tries to destroy them with the tank he found, but it showers the group with strawberry ice cream
Ice cream
Ice cream is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavours. Most varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners...
, much to Plankton's dismay ("Ice cream? It shoots ICE CREAM?!"). Lord Royal Highness picks Plankton up saying that a "talking speck" would be a better replacement for the bubble. Lord Royal Highness removes the Amulet from the bus and orders a royal guard to dispose of it. SpongeBob is ready to go home, but Patrick, Sandy, Mr. Krabs and Squidward all cry because they want to stay in Atlantis; even though SpongeBob does not.
Note
- SpongeBob and Patrick both claim to have never heard of Atlantis before, but King Neptune showed it to them in the season 1SpongeBob SquarePants (season 1)Season one of SpongeBob SquarePants aired twenty episodes from with Help Wanted, Reef Blower, Tea at the Treedome, to with Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy II. The DVD for the season was released in Regions 1, 2, and 4 on , , and , respectively. The pilot episode, "Help Wanted", was not included on...
episode Neptune's Spatula.
Voice cast
- Tom KennyTom KennyThomas James "Tom" Kenny is an American actor, voice actor and comedian. He is especially known for his long-running-role as SpongeBob SquarePants in the television series of the same name, as well as the live-action character Patchy the Pirate, Gary the Snail and the French narrator based on...
– SpongeBob - Bill FagerbakkeBill FagerbakkeWilliam Mark "Bill" Fagerbakke is an American actor and voice actor. He is well-known for his long-running-roles as Patrick Star in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants and "Dauber" Dybinski on the sitcom Coach....
– Patrick - Clancy BrownClancy BrownClarence J. "Clancy" Brown III is an American actor and voice actor. He is known for his roles in live action as The Kurgan in the cult classic film Highlander, Byron Hadley in the award-winning The Shawshank Redemption, Brother Justin Crowe in HBO's critically acclaimed Carnivàle, and Career...
– Mr. Krabs - Rodger BumpassRodger BumpassRodger Albert Bumpass is an American character actor and voice actor, who is noted for his long-running-roles as Squidward Tentacles on the hit series SpongeBob SquarePants, and The Chief from Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?. He also voiced Professor Membrane on Invader Zim...
– Squidward - Carolyn LawrenceCarolyn LawrenceCarolyn Lawrence is a American actress and voice actress best known for her long-running-role as Sandy Cheeks on SpongeBob SquarePants.-Life and career:...
– Sandy - Mr. LawrenceMr. LawrenceDouglas Lawrence Osowski , better known as Mr. Lawrence and sometimes credited as Doug Lawrence, is an American voice actor, comedian, writer, storyboard artist, animator and director.-Career:...
– Plankton - David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
– Lord Royal Highness (L.R.H)
Live-action cast
- Tom Kenny – Patchy the Pirate
- Paul TibbittPaul TibbittPaul Tibbitt is an American television producer, cartoon writer, storyboard artist, songwriter and voice actorTibbitt is well known for working on the TV series SpongeBob SquarePants. He is currently the Co-Executive Producer of the show...
– Potty the Parrot (voice), Guy in car
Music
The following songs were featured in the movie:- "The Bubble Song" (Tom KennyTom KennyThomas James "Tom" Kenny is an American actor, voice actor and comedian. He is especially known for his long-running-role as SpongeBob SquarePants in the television series of the same name, as well as the live-action character Patchy the Pirate, Gary the Snail and the French narrator based on...
, Bill FagerbakkeBill FagerbakkeWilliam Mark "Bill" Fagerbakke is an American actor and voice actor. He is well-known for his long-running-roles as Patrick Star in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants and "Dauber" Dybinski on the sitcom Coach....
) - "The Wheels on the BusThe Wheels on the Bus"The Wheels on the Bus" is a popular children's song in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. It is popular on journeys to keep children amused and has a very repetitive rhythm. In particular it is sung by pre-teens on bus journeys...
" (Tom KennyTom KennyThomas James "Tom" Kenny is an American actor, voice actor and comedian. He is especially known for his long-running-role as SpongeBob SquarePants in the television series of the same name, as well as the live-action character Patchy the Pirate, Gary the Snail and the French narrator based on...
, Bill FagerbakkeBill FagerbakkeWilliam Mark "Bill" Fagerbakke is an American actor and voice actor. He is well-known for his long-running-roles as Patrick Star in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants and "Dauber" Dybinski on the sitcom Coach....
, Clancy BrownClancy BrownClarence J. "Clancy" Brown III is an American actor and voice actor. He is known for his roles in live action as The Kurgan in the cult classic film Highlander, Byron Hadley in the award-winning The Shawshank Redemption, Brother Justin Crowe in HBO's critically acclaimed Carnivàle, and Career...
, Mr. LawrenceMr. LawrenceDouglas Lawrence Osowski , better known as Mr. Lawrence and sometimes credited as Doug Lawrence, is an American voice actor, comedian, writer, storyboard artist, animator and director.-Career:...
, Carolyn LawrenceCarolyn LawrenceCarolyn Lawrence is a American actress and voice actress best known for her long-running-role as Sandy Cheeks on SpongeBob SquarePants.-Life and career:...
) - "Fueling the Bus" (Tom KennyTom KennyThomas James "Tom" Kenny is an American actor, voice actor and comedian. He is especially known for his long-running-role as SpongeBob SquarePants in the television series of the same name, as well as the live-action character Patchy the Pirate, Gary the Snail and the French narrator based on...
, Bill FagerbakkeBill FagerbakkeWilliam Mark "Bill" Fagerbakke is an American actor and voice actor. He is well-known for his long-running-roles as Patrick Star in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants and "Dauber" Dybinski on the sitcom Coach....
, Rodger BumpassRodger BumpassRodger Albert Bumpass is an American character actor and voice actor, who is noted for his long-running-roles as Squidward Tentacles on the hit series SpongeBob SquarePants, and The Chief from Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?. He also voiced Professor Membrane on Invader Zim...
, Clancy BrownClancy BrownClarence J. "Clancy" Brown III is an American actor and voice actor. He is known for his roles in live action as The Kurgan in the cult classic film Highlander, Byron Hadley in the award-winning The Shawshank Redemption, Brother Justin Crowe in HBO's critically acclaimed Carnivàle, and Career...
, Mr. LawrenceMr. LawrenceDouglas Lawrence Osowski , better known as Mr. Lawrence and sometimes credited as Doug Lawrence, is an American voice actor, comedian, writer, storyboard artist, animator and director.-Career:...
, Carolyn LawrenceCarolyn LawrenceCarolyn Lawrence is a American actress and voice actress best known for her long-running-role as Sandy Cheeks on SpongeBob SquarePants.-Life and career:...
) - "Mr. Krab's Song (All this Money)" (Clancy BrownClancy BrownClarence J. "Clancy" Brown III is an American actor and voice actor. He is known for his roles in live action as The Kurgan in the cult classic film Highlander, Byron Hadley in the award-winning The Shawshank Redemption, Brother Justin Crowe in HBO's critically acclaimed Carnivàle, and Career...
) - "Sandy's Song (The Germ Warrior)" (Carolyn LawrenceCarolyn LawrenceCarolyn Lawrence is a American actress and voice actress best known for her long-running-role as Sandy Cheeks on SpongeBob SquarePants.-Life and career:...
) - "Plankton's Song (So Many Weapons)" (Doug Lawrence)
- "Squidward's Song (Pick up a Pencil)" (Rodger BumpassRodger BumpassRodger Albert Bumpass is an American character actor and voice actor, who is noted for his long-running-roles as Squidward Tentacles on the hit series SpongeBob SquarePants, and The Chief from Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?. He also voiced Professor Membrane on Invader Zim...
) - "Back in Encino" (Nicholas Carr, Steve Marston)
- "Good-bye Atlantis" (Tom KennyTom KennyThomas James "Tom" Kenny is an American actor, voice actor and comedian. He is especially known for his long-running-role as SpongeBob SquarePants in the television series of the same name, as well as the live-action character Patchy the Pirate, Gary the Snail and the French narrator based on...
, Bill FagerbakkeBill FagerbakkeWilliam Mark "Bill" Fagerbakke is an American actor and voice actor. He is well-known for his long-running-roles as Patrick Star in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants and "Dauber" Dybinski on the sitcom Coach....
, Rodger BumpassRodger BumpassRodger Albert Bumpass is an American character actor and voice actor, who is noted for his long-running-roles as Squidward Tentacles on the hit series SpongeBob SquarePants, and The Chief from Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?. He also voiced Professor Membrane on Invader Zim...
, Clancy BrownClancy BrownClarence J. "Clancy" Brown III is an American actor and voice actor. He is known for his roles in live action as The Kurgan in the cult classic film Highlander, Byron Hadley in the award-winning The Shawshank Redemption, Brother Justin Crowe in HBO's critically acclaimed Carnivàle, and Career...
, Carolyn LawrenceCarolyn LawrenceCarolyn Lawrence is a American actress and voice actress best known for her long-running-role as Sandy Cheeks on SpongeBob SquarePants.-Life and career:...
)
Reception
Atlantis SquarePantis was broadcast on November 12, 2007 on Nickelodeon, and was preceded by an "Z-A" countdown of SpongeBob SquarePants episodes picked by voters. It attracted 8.8 million viewers, the largest audience of a series broadcast at 8:00PM show on November 12, 2007, with the exception of Dancing with the StarsDancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
, and currently the highest audience in the series' history. Despite the hype surrounded by "Atlantis SquarePantis" and the special receiving high ratings, the special received generally negative reviews from television critics, with an average score of 6.2 from TV.com. The special was given generally mixed to negative reviews from fans, many of whom saw the special as a sign of declining quality and that the episode did not live up to the standards of previous specials. Tom Shales
Tom Shales
Thomas William "Tom" Shales is an American critic of television programming and operations. He is best known as TV critic for The Washington Post; in 1988, Shales received the Pulitzer Prize...
, a television critic for The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, lambasted the movie in a 11 November 2007 review. In the review, titled Sweet Life of SpongeBob, Shales wrote that "the funniest thing about the film is its title" and "a typical episode has about as many laughs as this inflated version does". Shales also criticized the musical numbers in Atlantis SquarePantis, calling them "numbing". He concluded the review saying, however, that the special was "cool" and "impressive".
In addition, Ian Jane of DVD Talk
DVD Talk
DVD Talk is a website for DVD enthusiasts founded in January 1999 by Geoffrey Kleinman when DVDs and DVD players were first beginning to hit the market.The site started as an online forum, an email newsletter, and a page of DVD news and reviews...
said "If you've got the Season Five DVD set and intend to collect future seasons, you might want to wait for the exclusive material in this set to show up there. That said, this is a fun selection of solid episodes and the feature attraction is excellent. Extras could have been more in-depth but as it stands, Paramount has done a nice job on this release and SpongeBob SquarePants: Atlantis Squarepantis comes recommended."
Home media
A DVDDVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
version was released the day after the show premiered, featuring the TV movie and six bonus episodes: "Money Talks", "SpongeBob vs. the Patty Gadget", "Slimy Dancing", "The Krusty Sponge", "Sing a Song of Patrick", and "Picture Day" (The UK release has "The Krusty Plate", "Pat No Pay", "The Inmates of Summer", "To Save a Squirrel", "20,000 Patties Under the Sea", and "The Battle of Bikini Bottom" as bonus episodes). It also featured a bonus DVD containing a sneak peek of the then new Nickelodeon TV series The Mighty B!
The Mighty B!
The Mighty B! is an American animated television series co-created by Amy Poehler, Cynthia True and Erik Wiese for Nickelodeon. The series centers on Bessie Higgenbottom, an ambitious Honeybee girlscout that believes she will become a superhero called the Mighty B if she collects every Honeybee badge...
.
External links
- "Atlantis SquarePantis" Reviews on tv.com