MovieFreak.com - "SpongeBob SquarePants: Christmas" DVD Review by Dennis Landmann

SpongeBob SquarePants is a talking square sponge "who lives in a pineapple under the sea." His relentless cheerfulness gets on the nerves of his grumpy neighbor, Squidward Tentacles. SpongeBob works as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab, owned by the kind-hearted but greedy Mr. Crabs. SpongeBob’s other pals are Gary, SB's pet snail, Patrick Star, a simple-minded starfish, and Sandy Cheeks, a space-suit wearing Texan squirrel.

Ah yes, SpongeBob SquarePants: Christmas should be the last "theme release" of this famous Nickelodeon series since the Complete First Season is due in exactly two weeks as of this writing. Though one can never be certain of anything. The Christmas theme here doesn't make sense because only one of the nine episodes included in this release refers to the Christmas. Granted, it's a double-length episode called Christmas Who?.

It starts off with Patchy the Pirate (Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob) going about his usual shenanigans, though none of it is funny. The actual episode "story" is about SpongeBob getting everyone in town ready for the season and hyping the arrival of Santa Claus. But when Santa Claus doesn't show up Squidward notices sadness in the water (get it?). Certainly he could care less, but he can't stand to see SpongeBob cry so he takes it upon himself to make everyone feel jolly again.

From the main menu you can select "play all" and watch the double-length episode plus three others, Procrastination, SpongeBob does everything except write a 800-page essay on "things not to do at a stoplight," such as lighting candles, Snowball Effect, Squidward tires to pit SpongeBob and Patrick against each other in a snowball fight but ends up facing off against them, and Survival of the Idiots, SpongeBob and Patrick face grave consequences when they disturb Sandy who is hibernating for the winter. These three episodes are supposedly in Christmas fashion because they take place in the snow, but that's not so. This Christmas theme compilation is the most mindless one yet in case you didn't get the idea by now.

The remaining five episodes can only be played from the "bonus episodes" menu because they have absolutely nothing to do with Christmas or snow. Despite of this dumb decision, the episodes in question are actually fun to watch. In Mermaidman and Barnacleboy IV SpongeBob finds Mermaidman's lost utility belt and wreaks unforeseeable havoc by shrinking everyone in Bikini Bottom. The solution is a nifty one and the last shot is great, which sees a certain "smaller" creature returning from vacation. Meanwhile, in Chocolate with Nuts, SpongeBob and Patrick want to strike it rich by selling chocolate. Sales are low so they stretch the truth a bit, such as telling a redneck-like fish one bar of chocolate will make it less ugly. There's also a funny subplot about a con man having his fun at the expense of two "suckers" who sell chocolate.

Next, SpongeBob thinks everyone recognizes him from a Krusty Krab commercial he was in for about two seconds in As Seen on TV. In the following episode, Pizza Delivery, SpongeBob and Squidward drive to the destination but get lost in the middle of nowhere. We also find out that big blue rocks can drive, or something. You'll know what I mean when you see it. The last episode is Squeaky Boots where Mr. Crabs tricks SpongeBob into buying a worthless pair of "fry cook boots." But when he never takes them off, and the boots keep squeaking, Mr. Crabs goes crazy, naturally. SpongeBob is known for his tendency to annoy like a professional.

In summation, Christmas features some funny and some average episodes. It's a mixed bag, especially because this release is really "reaching out there" in terms of its theme. The only thing left to say is, "Hooray for the Season sets. Finally."

Paramount presents the episodes in standard fullscreen format. The video image is fresh and clear. This presentation features some great and vivid colors as well as nice blacks. Detail is very good. All in all it's a very nice presentation that accurately portrays the material.

The presentation features an English Stereo soundtrack that achieves its goal nicely. That is, to present dialog and other sources of audio from the front speakers with as much range as possible. Sounds are clear and dialog is easy to understand.

The only supplement is an Audio Commentary with Tom Kenny and creator Stephen Hillenburg for Christmas Who? that offers a fairly interesting discussion. They're silent at times but usually laugh what they see on screen; their own jokes. You also get a Storyboard presentation for Christmas Who? with storyboards and temporary sound.

Sadly, no subtitles are offered. The DVD’s menus are interactive and the main menu load-up is nice, that is, after you select main menu from the Paramount logo load-up. All 9 episodes combine for an approximate running time of 110 minutes.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Christmas features a ridiculous theme and overall is a mixed bag. Basically, some episodes are funnier than others. Video/audio quality is pretty nice. You could rent this release, but really there is no reason for that since Paramount is releasing SpongeBob SquarePants season sets.

THE MOVIE	7
THE VIDEO	7
THE AUDIO	6
THE EXTRAS	2
OVERALL (not an average)	6