Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie
Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie
Bikini Bottom has been stolen. Sandy Cheeks and SpongeBob watch in disbelief as everyone's favorite town is scooped out of the ocean by a sinister, mysterious company. Now, Sandy and SpongeBob must go on an epic quest to Sandy's home state of Texas and enlist her family to help save Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs and the rest of the gang before time runs out.
Manuel Frangis reviewedMarch 17, 2025
I just watched Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, and I would give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. As a longtime SpongeBob SquarePants fan, I was curious to see how this movie would turn out, and honestly, it was pretty fun. It has that classic SpongeBob energy, mixed with a slightly different vibe since it focuses on Sandy rather than SpongeBob himself. It is definitely a fun and lighthearted adventure, but it does not quite reach the level of the classic SpongeBob movies.
The animation looks fantastic. The bright colors, exaggerated movements, and expressive characters make every scene feel alive. The animation style brings a fresh look while still staying true to the SpongeBob aesthetic. The underwater world of Bikini Bottom has never looked better, and the action sequences are well done. You can tell a lot of effort went into making the visuals pop, and that adds to the fun of watching it.
The humor is exactly what you would expect from SpongeBob. It is goofy, over the top, and filled with those weird, random moments that have always made the show unique. Some jokes hit really well, while others feel a little too drawn out. There are times when it feels like they are trying too hard to stretch a joke beyond its natural punchline, but for the most part, it keeps things entertaining. If you love the classic SpongeBob absurdity, there are plenty of moments here that will make you laugh.
Sandy gets the spotlight in this one, and it is nice to see her take center stage for a change. She has always been one of the more underrated characters in the SpongeBob universe, so giving her a full movie to shine was a great idea. Her personality is still as strong as ever—smart, fearless, and always ready for action. The story revolves around her in a way that keeps things fresh while still feeling like part of the SpongeBob world. Her interactions with the rest of the characters are fun, and it is nice to see her get some deeper moments rather than just being the tough and logical one.
The pacing works for the most part, though there are a few scenes that drag a little longer than necessary. Some moments feel a little stretched, almost like they were trying to pad the runtime rather than keep the momentum going. That being said, the mix of action and comedy works well enough to keep you engaged. The adventure aspect adds some excitement, and there are some fun twists that help keep things from feeling too predictable.
One of the things that holds it back from being a top tier SpongeBob movie is that it does not have as many laugh out loud moments as the best episodes of the show. It has funny parts, but it is not as consistently hilarious as The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie or some of the classic episodes. It feels more aimed at a younger audience, which is fine, but older fans may find it a little less engaging than they hoped.
If you grew up watching SpongeBob, you will find plenty to enjoy, but it is not quite an instant classic. It is fun, colorful, and full of the usual SpongeBob weirdness, but it does not have that same timeless feel as the best entries in the franchise. Still, it is a fun watch, and for what it is, it delivers a solid adventure. Fans of Sandy will definitely appreciate the focus on her character, and it is always great to see more of Bikini Bottom in a new and exciting way. I had a good time with it, and while I may not rush to rewatch it, it was worth checking out.