DVD Review: Spongebob Squarepants: Spongicus

TV Show Info:
Writers: Various
Directors: Various
Cast: Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, Clancy Brown, Mr. Lawrence, Dee Bradley Baker
Rating: NR
Studio: Nickelodeon

Release Info:
Season Air Dates: March 3, 2008-June 6, 2008
DVD Release Date: January 27, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $10.99
Episodes: #6.1-#6.6 and #6.11

Ohhh…Who lives in a Pineapple under the Sea…?

You can’t help but want to sing this song whenever Spongebob Squarepants is mentioned. The theme song for the hit Nickelodeon television show is so catchy it’s hard not to know the words. I’ve been watching Spongebob for years. Ashtyn likes it. Our son likes it. Our nephew likes it. In the Evans household, when something else isn’t on it’s a safe bet you can turn on Spongebob and whomever is watching television will be happy.

Spongebob is one of the stupidest cartoon characters I’ve ever seen. Knowing he’s a giant, yellow, absorbent sponge means that it is pretty clear that Spongebob isn’t meant to have a brain in his head. Of course, the writers make sure to point out Spongebob’s lack of sense or brains at every turn. He and his fat, starfish best friend, Patrick, enjoy being dumb, to the point of hilarity. Still, too much Spongebob can lead to annoyance after awhile. That’s why these DVDs are so great.

With just a few episodes, seven in total (one is a two-parter – #6.6),  on this DVD, you (and your kids) can get your Spongebob fix without being too Spongebobed out. You can watch this DVD, enjoy a few episodes, but this isn’t a Spongebob marathon or an entire season pack. There is plenty of time for a break from all the Spongebob hilarity before and/or after episodes on this DVD. The episodes on this DVD all happen to be from the current season of Spongebob. So, while I’ve seen one or two of these episodes on television while the kids were watching, I’ve never seen this DVD all the way through.

I’ve heard many a parent diss Spongebob. Sure, the cartoon is dumb. Sure, Spongebob promotes his own stupidity, but this show isn’t here to teach your children moral lessons. It’s here to make them laugh. If you want your child to have a good time while watching television, Spongebob is an excellent option. Our four year old nephew, Lil B, loves this show as much as our 14 year old. So, the age range of interest for this show is vast. If you want your kids watching something more educational, Spongebob isn’t going to do it for them. This show is more for the fun than the learning.

The Spongebob Squarepants: Spongicus Plot
The Spongebob Squarepants: Spongicus DVD is made up of seven episodes. All of these episodes aired in Season Six of Spongebob Squarepants, which is one of the most popular cartoons on Nickelodeon. One of the episodes aired two stories and that’s episode #6.6.  The episodes that are on this DVD aired as episodes #6.1-#6.6 and episode #6.11. Here is a brief description of all of the episodes presented on this DVD.

#6.1 – “Krabby Road” – Plankton overhears Spongebob singing a song about how to make a Krabby Patty. The only problem is that Mr. Krabs won’t allow Spongebob to mention any of the Krabby patty’s ingredients. Relying on Spongebob’s stupidity, Plankton plays on his ignorance and gets Spongebob to join his band, in an attempt to get him to write a song that reveals the recipe.

#6.2 – “Not Normal” – Spongebob becomes normal. When he rounds out and his spots/sponge holes disappear, Spongebob turns into a major square. This new, boring Spongebob has all of his friends worried about him, so much so that Patrick will do anything to make Spongebob a freak/weirdo again!

#6.3 – “Gone” – When Spongebob wakes up one day, he’s shocked to learn that Bikin Bottom is empty. Nobody is around. Trying to find someone, anyone, Spongebob is perplexed, that is until he learns about the planned trip that everyone in Bikini Bottom has taken without him.

#6.4 – “Suction Cup Symphony” – Squidward finds out that there is a contest to enter an original composition, which the Bikini Bottom Symphony Orchestra will play at their next concert. Finding out he only has one day to compose, Squidward tries to channel his musical genius, but finds it increasingly hard when Spongebob sets out to play doctor and cure Patrick of whatever is ailing him.

#6.5 – “Penny Foolish” – Mr. Krabs is obsessed with pennies in this crazy episode. Spongebob is leaning over one day, and Mr. Krabs is certain he’s picked up a penny. Desperate to make the penny his, Mr. Krabs takes him out on the town, to woo the penny out of Spongebob. Little does he know the truth about Spongebob and the penny means there really isn’t a penny at all!

#6.6 – “Nautical Novice” – Spongebob and his class are heading to the Nautical Museum on a Field Trip. Before the trip, Spongebob spends the entire night memorizing the history of boating. He hopes that if he does Mrs. Puff will give him his license. When she finds Spongebob in the control room playing with the buttons, and the boat starts moving, it’s up to Spongebob to save the class.

#6.6 – “Spongicus” – Mr. Krabs is excited when he believes that Plankton has demolished the Chum Bucket. When Plankton puts up a replica of the Colosseum in it’s place, Mr. Krabs is furious. Intrigued by the concept of a Colosseum style death match, most of Bikini Bottom flocks to the new Chum Bucket. Heading there with Mr. Krabs to size up the competition, Spongebob is shocked to learn that the main event features Patrick and an angry Lionfish.

#6.11 – “House Fancy” – Squidward wants to be on the show, House Fancy. When he finds out that Squilliam, his nemesis, is on the show, he is furious. Jealous of Squilliam, Squidward calls up the show to brag about his “bigger, better” place. When they are set to visit, Patrick uses Squidward’s bathroom, making it unpresentable, and Spongebob decides to pitch in and help Squidward make his home look grand.

Storyline/Plot:
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:

Audio/Visual:
Spongebob is looking good as usual in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. There are plenty of bright colors, good amounts of detail, and a bright, child-friendly feel to this DVD. Kids will love the look of Spongebob and adult fans will think this is good quality, too. I did not notice problems with compression errors or blur. Everything looked tight and just as it should. Nothing bad to report here.

Dolby Digital 2.0 does it’s job quite well where this Spongicus disc is concerned. Spongebob is as loud and annoying as ever and though his voice is annoying, he gets the job done perfectly with this audio. The music sounds great, the dialogue is always perfect, and again there are no problems to report. Subtitles do not appear to be involved here, but Closed Captioning is available in English.

Visual:
Audio:

Bonus Features:
You might as well say that there are no special features available here. There are some storyboards and a little character art, but there is nothing here that will excite anyone, least of all the viewing audience that makes up Spongebob‘s fan base.

Bonus Features:

Bottom Line:
Spongebob Squarepants: Spongicus features episodes from the Sixth Season of Spongebob Squarepants. I’ve heard that some people believe the show is getting tired, but I still think it’s funny. If you have kids, you might as well just go ahead and purchase this. I haven’t met a kid who doesn’t like Spongebob. If you are buying it for you, make sure you’re a Spongebob Squarepants fan. Otherwise, this DVD might not be your cup of tea.

Overall Rating:

Technorati Tags: Spongebob Squarepants, Spongicus, DVD, Review, Patrick Starfish, Squidward, Krusty Krab, Mr. Krabs, Plankton, Chum Bucket, Colosseum, Nickelodeon

Written by Dominick Evans - Visit Website
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Dominick is in his late 20s. He lives in Michigan with his life partner, Ashtyn, their 14 year old son Robert, and their Shih-Tzu, Oliver. Dominick is a writer and the head editor for both LI Kids and Literary Illusions. He enjoys composing music and is an aspiring director/screenwriter. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, playing and watching sports, playing video games, watching movies, and singing.