“Welcome to the apocalypse…I hope you like leather,” says a tamed Mr. Krabs as the infamous krabby patty formula is stolen–again. This sets the backdrop to the new SpongeBob Squarepants fiesta–the notorious undersea creature who lives in a pineapple, with the help of his side companions, Patrick Star, Squidward, Sandy Cheeks, Mr. Krabs, and of course, Plankton. They are all back, in bigger and better shape like never before!

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water takes us back to the underwater city of Bikini Bottom, where life for fry-cook SpongeBob Squarepants (Tom Kenny) and his peers remains constant. However, during Plankton’s (Mr Lawrence) latest attempt to steal the krabby patty formula from SpongeBob’s boss, Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown), it vanishes without a trace, leading to believe that the annual purge was going to occur as a breakdown in social order. Anarchy ensues over the residents of Bikini Bottom because without krabby patties–what is life?

SpongeBob convinces Plankton to take on the quest to recover the formula. But, unknowingly, the real culprit for thieving the formula is one Burger Beard (Antonio Banderas)–a pirate who has acquired a magical book that lets him alter any reality he chooses.

This isn’t the first time these lovable characters have splashed on the big screen; back in 2004, The SpongeBob Movie was released, and that film featured plenty of “nautical nonsense.” The latest offering is a 2D-live action hybrid–in the same vein of the original, only this time in the real world. SpongeBob and the gang resemble a more CGI 3D look (think The Smurfs).

The story here is credited to show creator, Stephen Hillenburg (who originally developed the show for Adult Swim on Cartoon Network) and director, Paul Tibbitt (who is the current showrunner). The plot bears an indecent approach to a kid-friendly narrative but keeps enough self-referential humor to satisfy that of the older crowds. Concurrently, the film’s screenwriters maintain just enough balance (and structure) which keeps this outing from being more than just a long feature-length episode.

Though The SpongeBob Movie is far more entertaining and inspired this time around with its irrelevant and off the wall humor–which varies from visceral comedy to light satirical jabs at politics and communism–the youngsters will miss these jokes. The film’s climax ties the whole piece together in wonderful fashion, and the soothing soundtrack (which has a fun tune called “Squeeze Me” by UK band N.E.R.D) is just as fun.

The best part, however, comes from the beautiful 2D animated sequences. Seeing hand-drawn animation on the big screen is entirely obsolete at this point. In a day and age where every animated film is CGI and 3D, hand-drawn film is becoming extinct. Although eventually the gang takes a trip to the real world (and becomes 3D animated), the animation team perfectly blends claymation, stop motion and other goofy animated sequences to make the picture feel whole and bring the project to life. I didn’t screen the film in 3D, but for the sake of a cinematic appeal perspective, it’s likely the best option. But the gang only spends about 25% of the movie with its new 3D CGI look. The other 75% is crisp and clear 2D animation–it’s never looked so good!

Evidently, Sponge Out of Water is going to be strictly catered to fans of the series (which I was, at one point), for children who know these characters. They will enjoy seeing them in action like never before, and this can be attributed, in part, to an amazing blend of zesty animation which adds an extra layer on the big screen. Just know, in the end, there is nothing wrong about a few grown adults going to see this movie. I’m fortunate enough to have a younger sister who I can still take to children films. Just between you and me, I would have saw this movie either way. But shhh…Don’t tell anyone.

Grade: B+