Well, well, well, "Atlantis SquarePantis"...when I saw that this was the episode I was slated to review today…my oh my. Here we go. Today we’ve got yet another infamous episode (though I think opinions have improved over the years?). Whatever the case, I’ve always found myself having an unpopular opinion about Atlantis SquarePantis—I like it. Always have (I was just blinded by popular opinion for a while). And maybe it’s the nostalgia talking, because I do have a lot of nostalgia for this episode. I remember there was this one
game on nick.com I’d always play, and my favorite SpongeBob computer game of all time (may it rest in peace, I can never play it again), Atlantis SquareOff, is clearly based on this episode. Also, a Minecraft
map (a different one from the one I talked about in my “SB-129” YouTube review) I used to play had an Atlantis map too! So I’ve got lots of nostalgia. But even then I still like this episode without factoring in the nostalgia, and I’m excited to talk about this show’s very first TV movie! Now, to figure out how I’m gonna structure my review lmao.
Let’s begin by talking about the Patchy segments, since I like to give them their own paragraph or two before talking about the SpongeBob plot. Well firstly, I must say I always always always love the horribly yet hilariously low-budget production of the Patchy segments. The so very obviously green-screened scene of him stuck in traffic is amazing. I’ve been thinking about this lately, but like the only reason I can stand to be in traffic when it happens is my own music, so I can completely understand Patchy’s reaction here. Especially when he reveals he’ll be missing the new SpongeBob SquarePants episode. Patchy is literally just a riot because I’m always cracking up during his segments. It really helps that they only happen a few times a season at most. The whole part where he yells at the flabbergasted guy behind him (played by Paul Tibbitt, fun fact), is great. The way Patchy always ties his horrible tragedy of a life to a SpongeBob episode is so me-core (as I’ve said before). Patchy being stranded in the desert is hilarious, especially once he starts hallucinating. It’s all just so bizarre I love it. And once again Patchy is so me because I hate mayo too. And then the aliens show up and things continue to be bizarre, and I love it.
Now, let’s get to talking about the real star of the show, the SpongeBob plot! So apparently this was originally going to be an 11-minute episode, but I’m glad it got bumped to TV movie status, because that extra air of gravity really belongs with this episode, I’d say. The whole triumphant music of the title card gets us right into that mood. This beginning part of the episode is alright, with SpongeBob blowing bubbles and Patrick trying to capture them on camera. It gives a good set up to what we’ll be seeing later at least. It also gives us our first song, which is definitely my least favorite out of all of them so at least that means we’re only going up from here! I’ve definitely heard this song…many times, because of that dang greatest hits album I had as a child. It’s not a bad song at all, I even like it a bit, but the other songs are even better. BUT, I will say that the visuals are really fun and improve things immensely vs. just hearing the song. And Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke are pretty good here in terms of their singing ability, so that’s always nice to see. Another thing I like to see is the plot getting moving real quick when the first segment is beginning to slow, and this episode understands that it needs to do that, so when SpongeBob and Patrick get trapped in the bubble, they float on over to the lost fragment of the medallion real quick. When Patrick says “squarepantis”, I get reminded that even though it’s simple, I kinda really like the title to the episode lol. It just flows off the tongue, what can I say? Also I think it’s funny that they read “antis” as “Ant-isss”, because I feel like nowadays “Antis” has a different meaning, one that I hate btw because proshippers are nasty okay moving on.
As we move over to the museum, we see the introduction of our other characters of this episode, as because it is a special, this episode involves all 5 of our big 5, plus Plankton. Honestly I love when Mr. Krabs does something so, so illegal just to get money, I always think it’s pretty amusing, and this whole ticket booth scheme doesn’t disappoint. I also really like how each characters introduction kind of shows what their main goal in Atlantis is gonna be. Mr. Krabs is money, as always. As for Squidward, he’s interested in art (I can’t believe he’s allowed to paint in the museum lol). I also like that we get an answer to what SpongeBob and Patrick found pretty quickly. I also really like that Squidward is kind of an expert in what people know about Atlantis, it’s nice to see him have knowledge about something and take that place of importance in an episode. And then we get our last character, Sandy, who comes basically out of nowhere but that’s fine, and she’s here for science! Another thing I’m excited for with seeing our big 5 together is some character interactions. And while I don’t really get them, I do get Sandy saying Squidward’s name so that’s basically the same thing lol.
Moving on, a bus appears basically out of thin air, and the interior looks…so weird. It’s just odd to look at in this show. Probably because it’s 3D. Also I think it’s funny that everyone pushed the bus to the gas station only to find out that they need to sing to fuel the vehicle lol. And then we really get the musical aspect of this episode rolling, as we move into our next song, which I thought was cute. I also am always reminded of Fred’s jellyfish jelly song from “Jellyfish Hunter” when hearing this song (which is apparently called “Fueling the Bus”). I also think it’s funny that this is the first time we see Plankton all episode and he really just appears out of nowhere. Lots of sudden appearances in this episode. I also like that everyone brought their own spin to the song.
And then we finally reach Atlantis, which looks gorgeous (but I would never want to live in that architecture). The whole part with the king was a bit amusing not gonna lie. David Bowie did a good job voicing the king. And if anyone ever wondered why LRH never got a song, it’s because the casting happened too late into the production process to give him one. I also think it’s funny that the king is super hospitable to a bunch of strangers who want to take advantage of Atlantean resources, but whatevs. It’s nice to see everyone getting along anyway, even when Mr. Krabs is unbelievably rude. The king even just lets Mr. Krabs take the money, that’s heaven for him. And it also moves us into our next song, which I really liked. I love how they always give Mr. Krabs’ songs a kind of sea shanty vibe. It’s a nice character touch, just like how they country-fy Sandy’s songs. And this song also has some fun visuals (all of them do, let’s be honest). As for Sandy’s heaven on earth (or underwater), I love love love the whole gaming aspect of hers, with everyone getting pixelated and fighting germs. Sandy’s song is really good too, and also that whole scene is pretty funny. Speaking of songs, Plankton’s is also really good. As you can see I like all the songs in this episode lol, they’re just good what can I say? Plankton’s weapon fixation is…new, but I like it well enough. Let me just round off this segment by talking about Squidward’s part too. I love how LRH just throws Squidward into the painting lmao. And then after that, Squidward’s song is also really good, and full of some fun visuals as he goes from painting to painting.
Moving on, SpongeBob and Patrick finally get the spotlight back on them as they finally get to see the bubble they’ve been coveting. I like the lowkey reveal that the Atlanteans are aliens too lol, and that art was really cool. I just wish they didn’t say colonize, like major eyeroll. Now of course, things end in disaster for ol’ SpongeBob and Patrick, and it’s pretty amusing. But it gets absolutely hilarious when they take a picture and end up popping it, because their panicked smiles, followed by their reactions are amazing. Definitely the funniest moment in the episode for sure. Also when Sandy shows off her invention, a super rare but very good track,
Happy Bells, plays. This track has only played twice, and I need it to play more! Anyway, I love the tension when SpongeBob and Patrick enter the room, their faces are just great and so expressive. And we get a Gary surprise appearance so you know I have to point that out. Now, this king is really stupid because why would you show off the real bubble…anyway, the ensuing action sequence is fun, poor Sandy gotta do everything around here smh. And then of course Plankton gotta show up and ruin everything by covering everyone in…ice cream. This episode continues a trend of things ending kind of abruptly and anticlimactically with Plankton becoming the new treasure of Atlantis.
And then of course, we can’t escape without one more song, which again, is really great. SpongeBob’s enthusiasm about returning home is just so cute and wholesome. And I love how he’s the only one who’s happy. The background of Bikini Bottom is also really nice-looking too, and a great shot to end our episode, along with the fading vocals.
So yeah, I like "Atlantis SquarePantis", and I stand by that opinion. Out of all the "infamous" specials in the show, I think this is one of the best. I won't say the best, since I haven't gone through all of them yet, but it's up there for sure. It's better than "Party Pooper Pants" and "The Sponge Who Could Fly" already. This episode has its high and low points, of course, but it's pretty enjoyable throughout. The pacing was probably the biggest issue, since the climax resolved pretty anticlimactically, and with absolutely no real time taken for it, but hey, what can you do? Now if you excuse me, I'm gonna shelter in place from the pitchforks and torches.
Episode Tier: Good
Episode Score: 7.5/10
