My relationship with SpongeBob, Sandy Cheeks and the other inhabitants of Bikini Bottom is long with fond memories. I remember watching the show's pilot episode the first time it aired on Nickelodeon, and seeing SpongeBob SquarePants in theaters its first week after it premiered. A squirrel who lives on land and breathes oxygen isn't exactly a character you'd expect to find in a show set at the bottom of the ocean, but Sandy has been a prominent part of the franchise since the early days of the first season. It seems only fair that after more than two decades she's given the reins to her own feature film, but perhaps we've waited too long. This one should have stayed at the bottom of the ocean.

Bikini Bottom and its inhabitants are uprooted from their home by BOOTS, the scientific organization that employs Sandy Cheeks (Carolyn Lawrence). As the only two to escape and remain free, SpongeBob SquarePants (Tom Kenny) and Sandy must leave the ocean and travel to Texas to save their friends and their home.

Let me start by saying that I am clearly not the target audience for this movie. While I grew up watching SpongeBob SquarePants and still laugh at his torn pants and his fight with DoodleBob to this day, the style of humor and writing of these characters has changed and evolved over the years. The silliness of its narrative steers heavily into childish territory, rather than absurdity. It's a shame because it's the absurdity of the original animated series that made it so memorable and popular.

Craig Robinson (The Office) and Johnny Knoxville (Jackass) join the voices as members of Sandy's immediate family, and Wanda Sykes (Harley Quinn) gives a live-action performance as a villainous scientist of sorts. Despite the comedic talents of these new additions and my love for the original characters, I can honestly say that I didn't laugh for a single moment. Sykes, traditionally known for his loud deliveries, is muted and bored. She delivers each line of dialogue as if reading it from a cue card. It's disappointing not to see her lean into the role and bring her signature energy. A nature-chewing antagonist could have helped spice up the otherwise boring story.