If it weren’t for Paramount executives deciding to give the film a full-feature treatment rather than a streaming release to Netflix, we might have missed theater-sized entertainment. “Search For Squarepants” (henceforth “Search”) is unlike the first three SpongeBob theatrical releases, and this is more to its benefit than detriment.

There are still hints that this film was initially intended to be a direct-to-streaming feature; the emphasis is on SpongeBob, Patrick Star, Mr. Krabs, and their nemesis, the nefarious Flying Dutchman. Although Squidward is present, virtually all of Bikini Bottom is not. Plankton and Sandy Cheeks have cameos as afterthoughts, suggesting that the network version had a much narrower focus than the previous three films. The original idea was for a Netflix movie featuring Mr. Krabs.

In this film, SpongeBob awakens to discover that he is minimally taller than before, and this emboldens him to ride a super roller coaster, since he is now a “Big Guy”. Once he arrives at the amusement park with BFF Patrick, however, he becomes terrified. (There is a funny sequence as the coaster, in SBSP’s imagination, becomes a murderous deathtrap) and chickens out.

SBSP wishes he were as brave as Mr. Krabs, who regales him with tales of the swashbuckling days of his youth. The dejected sponge and Patrick stumble upon Krab’s secret basement of swashbuckling artifacts, one of which is the hornpipe of the Flying Dutchman. Upon blowing the pipe, SB unknowingly summons the evil ghost. The Dutchman soon learns that SB is a bubble-blowing innocent, which is just what the Dutchman needs to break the curse that keeps him a ghostly prisoner of the Underworld.

The Dutchman promises he will make SB into a swashbuckler supreme and whisks the sponge and Patrick to the Underworld, where SB must face a mountain studded with sinister trials. If he can do this and blow the Dutchman’s hornpipe at the mountain top, the evil ghost promises him an official swashbuckling certificate!

Meanwhile, Mr. Krabs regrets chiding SB and sets out to rescue him, taking Squidward and Gary the Snail along for the ride in his rickety RV.

SpongeBob faces monsters and terrors and needs daring physical feats, but is doing well despite Patrick’s distractions and foolery. The Dutchman, fed up with Patrick, demands that SB shun the starfish. Krabs and crew catch up, and it is revealed that Krabs was no swashbuckling hero, merely a ship’s fry cook. A furious SpongeBob blows the cursed hornpipe, resulting in him and Krabs switching places with the Dutchman. The Dutchman, now human, departs for Santa Monica, California.

The Dutchman’s second-in-command, Barb, now abandoned, tells SB and Krabs that the curse can be reversed by destroying the hornpipe—by sundown! This revelation sets the scene for a live-action finish at the beach (a seeming staple of the SpongeBob movies), where SB and the Dutchman have it out—on a giant roller coaster! Through his newfound bravery and with the encouragement of Mr. Krabs, SB defeats the Dutchman and flings the hornpipe to the ground below using a gigantic bubble.

The curse is reversed, the Dutchman is humiliated, SpongeBob, Krabs, and Gary make a hero’s return to Bikini Bottom, but Squidward is still driving the RV around the Underworld!

Derek Drymon, who has been with the franchise since its inception, directed. Marc Ceccarelli, Kaz, and “South Park” writer Pam Brady developed the story. The voice cast from the show is all present, down to the cameos. The most significant change is that Mark Hamill, who has an impressive career in animated villainy, steps in for Brian Doyle-Murray as the Flying Dutchman. Hamill is outstanding. John Debney provided the music for his second SpongeBob feature, following his score for Sponge Out of Water (2015).

What is there to say? “Search” is like a focused, extended episode of the TV series, an unserious, silly romp for the fans, even if the cast is smaller than in the other features. There are plot holes, impossibilities, and nonsense throughout the script, but none of that matters. “Search is a vast improvement over the last SB film, “Sponge on the Run.” While there is a repeat of the tired trope that real bravery is within yourself, at least there are no blatant promotions for spin-off series, a surfeit of musical numbers, or retconning that conflicted with the prior history of SpongeBob and many other main characters.

While Hamill, in truth, steals the show, Tom Kenny is up to form as the titular sponge, Clancy Brown is fine as Mr. Krabs, Bill Fagerbakke shines as the requisite goofball that is Patrick Star, and although he is merely a supporting character, Rodger Bumpass does well enough with Squidward, who has less of a nasty, elitist streak in this film (but does have an-ever-present hairpiece!) Special shout-out to Regina Hall for her gritty portrayal of Barb.

Reel FX provided most of the animation. Under Drymon’s direction, the film avoided any hint of CGI realism to convey a cartoony feel. The live-action finale uses a high-quality level of compositing that is more consistent than seen in Sponge Out of Water (2015). No SpongeBob fan will be disappointed in this film, which has a more accurate feel for the franchise, a quality that recalls the first SB film in 2004.

Special treat: The movie is preceded by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone2—Lost in New Jersey, a hilarious Paramount short that carries over the spirit of their 2023 flick, with superb animation as well. I leave you to discover that one on your own. Get to the theater early.