"Saving Bikini Bottom" - The New SpongeBob Movie on Netflix

0 Shares

Netflix recently launched Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, the new animated film from the SpongeBob SquarePants universe, available for streaming from August 2, 2024. This new adventure, directed by Liza Johnson, marks the first of a series of spin-offs dedicated to the iconic characters of the series created by Stephen Hillenburg . The film combines CGI animation and live-action, taking SpongeBob fans on a new adventure starring squirrel Sandy Cheeks.

Plot: A Journey to Save Bikini Bottom

The story kicks off when Bikini Bottom, the underwater city we all know and love, is mysteriously raised from the ocean by a secret organization called BOOTS (Bureau Of Official Texas Science). This scientific laboratory, located in Galveston, Texas, has dark intentions that endanger the entire diving community.

Sandy Cheeks, determined to save her city, joins SpongeBob SquarePants on an epic adventure in Texas, where they will face a series of challenges, including tornadoes, rattlesnakes and the cruel Sue Nahmee, the new director of the BOOTS laboratory The latter has an evil plan: to transform the inhabitants of Bikini Bottom into terrestrial creatures and clone them to sell them as pets. Will Sandy and SpongeBob be able to foil this plot and return Bikini Bottom to the bottom of the ocean?

Film Production and Development

The idea of making a film centered on Sandy Cheeks was first proposed during the development phase of The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020). Although the project was initially shelved, it was revived and developed into a feature film thanks to the interest aroused by the character of Sandy, one of the most beloved figures in the series.

Liza Johnson, making her animated feature directorial debut, was chosen to direct the film due to her experience on the series What We Do in the Shadows. The film was animated by Pipeline Studios in Canada, with visual effects handled by Spin VFX and ReDefine Animation. The combination of CGI animation and live-action required careful planning and innovation, ensuring that the animated characters retained their real-world appeal.

Reactions from the public and critics

Upon release, Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie received mixed reviews. While on the one hand critics appreciated the animation and typical humor of the series, the public expressed conflicting opinions, in particular regarding the plot and the representation of the human characters. Some longtime fans have even called the film one of the worst in the SpongeBob universe, pointing out problems in the script and overall tone of the film.

A Future for SpongeBob Spin-Offs

Despite the criticism, this film represents only the first in a series of spin-offs that will explore the lives and adventures of SpongeBob's secondary characters. Marc Ceccarelli, executive producer and longtime collaborator of the franchise, said that the expansion of the SpongeBob universe is only just beginning and that there are still many stories to tell. Fans can therefore expect further adventures with Sandy and other characters in the future.

Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie offers a new perspective on one of SpongeBob SquarePants' most beloved characters, taking viewers on a fun and adventurous journey. Despite mixed reviews, the film represents a major expansion of the SpongeBob universe and promises to pave the way for exciting new projects. If you're a fan of SpongeBob, don't miss the opportunity to see Sandy Cheeks in action in her first starring movie, now available on Netflix.

Technical data sheet Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie

Original title: Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie
Original language: English
Country of Production: United States of America
Year: 2024
Duration: 82 minutes
Gender: Comedy, Animation, Action
Directed by: Lisa Johnson
Subject: From the characters created by Stephen Hillenburg – Kaz
Film script: Kaz, Tom Stern
Producer: Darin Bristow, Robert Engelman, Jack Petrik, Scott Puckett, Lorry Ann Shea
Executive producer: Marc Ceccarelli, Vincent Waller
Production house: Nickelodeon Movies, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, United Plankton Pictures
Distribution in Italian: Netflix
Photographs: Greg Gardiner
Mounting: Matthew Feinman, Billy Weber
Music: Moniker