While I think “Plankton: The Movie” could have had more Plankton and Karen shenanigans and a more blatantly “evil” ascetic, I really enjoyed it a lot. Probably the most accurate and nostalgic portrayal of SpongeBob in the past decade or so. They understood what made the original click, a quirky story that has heart, while not taking itself too seriously.
The songs are a bit of a hit and miss miss, though Plankton’s second act solo and Karen’s first solo are really good! One of which has a line so utterly satisfying and embodies everything about Plankton so utterly well, but was so out of the blue that I couldn’t help but laugh my head off.
It’s the SpongeBob stuff that feels kind of like a little bit of filler. The movie doesn’t really work without him, but it does feel like some of it could have been cut, especially the opening.
Overall, I really enjoyed it! Much more than I thought I would. There’s a really solid, but quiet complexity to it. It does my preferred microscopic megalomaniac and the sassy, sparky, electric soul, he loves justice, just not as much as I would love preferred. He is only 1% evil and 99% hot gas, after all! FINAL GRADE: B
(AMBIGUIOUS, YET POTENTIAL SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT!)
Also, call me a softie, but I like how they ended it. Is it realistic or necessarily respectful to actually toxic relationships? Probably not. But I really think it was touching. Shows real growth for Plankton and I hope, but externally doubt, the show will follow suit. Both of the main duo deserve the change. If anything, this shows that the show doesn’t need an element anymore in order to be successful, even relevant. I understand this would change the whole dynamic of the show, but the fact of the matter is….
(BLATANT SPOILERS AND HOT TAKES AHEAD!)
The Secret Formula is not really that important anymore. 😱 This movie made it abundantly clear/. Plankton doesn’t need a reason to be evil, or even a jerk for that matter. He can simply want to take over the world. And I think he should do just that with Karen by his side. Of course. being foiled by SpongeBob each time. But the obsession with the Formula needs to stop. Keep the angst with Krabs, but don’t let the Formula get in the way of what could be interesting plots and a really touching dynamic between an amoeba and animatronic! Don’t @ me. I speak the truth!
Calm and Cultured 