Hey folks, Valkor here. I wasn't sure how to handle this next review and honestly I was considering not reviewing this latest AniView selection at all. But then after looking into the character and watching the DVD, I feel that "SpongeBob's Runaway Roadtrip" deserves a fair shake. And thanks to the folks at Paramount Home (And Nickelodeon) I'm reviewing a SpongeBob Squarepants DVD… I never thought I'd see the day.
Yea you know the song; he lives in a pineapple under the sea and all that jazz. Come on, it's SpongeBob Squarepants, no introduction is needed for this character. And if you don't know who he is, you must live under a rock, or a cave, or someplace where this guy is unheard of. Anywho, in this themed DVD set, SpongeBob and his friends of Bikini Bottom are sharing their vacation stories and on this single disc DVD, we get a total of five episodes, plus as an added bonus of two additional eps, which don't mesh with the theme, but they're still fun to watch. So let's take a look at what we're getting shall we.
A Squarepants Family Vacation – SpongeBob, his folks and his best friend Patrick Star are on a Roadtrip towards the "Great Barrier Reef", but the group gets a little sidetrack with SpongeBob and Patrick getting separated. Who knows what awaits the duo beneath the down blue yonder.
Patrick's Staycation – Patrick is bored with his life of sleeping, eating, and eating and sleeping again. So our favorite yellow sponge suggests the starfish to take a vacation. But he can't afford it, so SpongeBob whips him up a resort vacation that's closer to home... or rather it is home - Patrick's home.
Walking the Plankton – Mr. Krabs wins a luxury cruise vacation for two and guess who he's taking along? Anywho, his nemesis Plankton sees this as an opportunity to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula, which Krabs has brought with him (for safe keeping). So he tricks his supercomputer/wife Karen into going on a second honeymoon so he can attempt to steal the recipe.
Mooncation – SpongeBob accidently stows away on Sandy the Squirrel's trip to the moon, when he attempts to bring her a cake. Looks like SpongeBob is going where no sponge has gone before.
Mr. Krabs Takes a Vacation – Mr. Krabs, his daughter Pearl, and SpongeBob take a vacation to the Bikini Bottom Mint. However, when the mint gets held up, Krabs and Bob step in to save the day of all that lovely money that Krabs loves so much.
You also get "Hide and Then What Happens?" as well as "Shellback Shenanigans". Truth be told, I've never sat through an entire SpongeBob episode – I could never get past the fact that all underwater physics are ignored (how does one cry tears underwater?), but this type of show was meant for little TOVers, however I found a joke or two worthy of a chuckle. So let's dismantle this Roadtrip DVD in our TOV Breakdown.
The Good:
My biggest fears going into this DVD was that I'd be so annoyed by all the yellow sponge's antics (and that laugh) that I'd end up tossing the DVD out the window. But I actually took a liking to SpongeBob. Yea. it wasn't as painful as I thought. His wackiness harkens to the days of Tex Avery, where everything was so overtop (without all the senseless violence). Kids will love this DVD for the silliness and adults will get a kick out of some of the jokes (a mailman wishes he was back on parole. DOH!). So if you're a fan of the cartoon series and looking for a quick SpongeBob fix, then this DVD is win-win.
The Bad:
You mean we can only get seven episodes? Out of all the SpongeBob episodes in existence, we can only squeeze seven on this single disc? Why not two discs? Why not ten episodes? Needs more!!
The Ugly:
N/A
Sure summer vacation is over and fall is just around the corner, but the fun doesn't have end. So why not pick up "SpongeBob's Runaway Roadtrip" to get a quick escape from the hardships of daily life – whether it's school or work, SpongeBob's brings the funny to wash away those "end of summer" blues. And out of TOV 5 stars, I give Runaway Roadtrip a 3.5 and it's been Valkor Viewed, TOV Approved!
Valkor out!
Email: valkor@the-other-view.com