Atlantis SquarePantis (2007)
“Four writers, and this is the best they could come up with?! Inexcusable!!” – MoBrosStudios
Brief Backstory
SpongeBob SquarePants: The very first thing that typically comes to mind when one thinks about Nickelodeon. To date, SpongeBob is the longest running show on the channel and enjoyed a near-perfect stretch of three seasons packed with adventures in Bikini Bottom where one could gorge on Krabby Patties at unreasonable prices, take a dip in Goo Lagoon, hit Rock Bottom, and much more.
During the latter half of the 2000s, Nickelodeon brought back SpongeBob SquarePants without Hillenburg’s approval and the series literally hit Rock Bottom with numerous complaints over reused plots and some of the worst flanderization of characters in any cartoon. At the same time, multiple “big and epic” episodes, were aired. While a few like Dunces and Dragons were well liked, many like SpongeBob vs. the Big One were panned by viewers. A few years later in late 2007 saw the premiere of what was billed as the most epic SpongeBob episode ever created, Atlantis SquarePantis. Rather than being an exciting and fun adventure, Atlantis SquarePantis quickly turned out to be nothing more than a sick prank and a horrible experience with horrific song numbers.
Story
SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Sandy, and Mr. Krabs, take a visit to Atlantis after SpongeBob and Patrick find the missing half of the amulet. Meanwhile, Patchy the Pirate ends up lost on his way back home.
Random Facts
Originally considered the worst episode by MoBrosStudios (who’s gone through multiple name changes). Several years later under the name Anim8ball, Clash of Triton took the spot but Atlantis SquarePantis still remained very high on his ranking.
Patchy’s plot was excluded from the original airing.
Unlike most SpongeBob episodes, this has four writers, and half of them also directed the episode.
Random Opinions
Anim8ball mentioned that Clash of Triton had five writers and ended up being one of the worst episodes. Given this, it looks like this would’ve benefited from having a maximum of three writers.
Easily one of the worst episodes of the show. SpongeBob You’re Fired managed to dethrone this while other SpongeBob specials like Truth or Square came close.
Why a musical?! Did the writers even think twice before going through with it?
Mr. Krabs already had multiple song numbers about his money fetish (Episodes Selling Out and Money Talks) so his song number (which again this should not have had songs) is pointless.
Pros
- Animation seems to be better than most season 4-8 episodes.
- Still better than Kamp Koral or the Patrick Star Show. Neither are a crime against humanity but are just unethically created.
Cons
- False advertising.
- Pointless and torturous song numbers.
- This actually was the biggest grievance that many viewers had.
- Unlike most SpongeBob special episodes, Patchy’s plot isn’t funny. He gets pissed off in traffic which is the only funny part of the episode.
- The backstory is idiotic. In fact, going to Atlantis just for a fucking bubble is idiotic as well.
- Why does this version of Atlantis SquarePantis look more like something you’d see in Ratchet and Clank and not the antiquity/medieval typically seen?
- The inside of the bus did not need to be CGI. It makes it look dated, especially when the characters don’t even have shadows underneath them.
- A complete letdown for many long-time viewers; many of which had watched SpongeBob from the very beginning.
- Only enjoyable if you’re binge drinking.
Rating: 1.5/10 – Rancid
SpongeBob You’re Fired is even worse than this, but it’s still horrible. Rewatching after so many years have convinced me that you can not watch this without drinking alcohol.
More info:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZKzNZODeCQ – MoBrosStudios Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG-VPk1oNM0 – Anim8ball Review
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