Wow! Three animated films in a row. I'm starting to feel like I'm reviewing for the children's magazine, Highlights. But, it's that time of year so I would be remiss if I didn't give the yellow porous one his due.

Based on the wildly popular television series, the film opens with Spongebob Squarepants anticipating his promotion to manager of the new Krabby Pattie restaurant. Meanwhile, the restaurant's arch-nemesis, Plankton, finds himself down to his last evil plan to get his hands on the Krabby Pattie recipe. While putting his plan in play, a dejected Spongebob tries to drown his sorrows in multiple ice cream sundaes. He didn't get his dream job. Mr. Krabb tells him he needs a grown up. With Plankton's plan working to perfection, Spongebob and his friend Patrick must venture to Shell City to save the restaurant and prove himself.

Like "Ren and Stimpy" and "Beavis and Butthead" before him, "Spongebob Squarepants" is one of those shows that people either totally get or don't understand. Me, I get it! The humor is very much in the vein of the old "Rocky and Bullwinkle" series: sight gags for the kiddies, some funny writing for the folks. And the fact that the film is set underwater isn't a deterrent to the action on film. It's not unusual to see a fire break out or for a group of fish and other sea creatures suddenly break out in song. The film does have a few slow parts, but I attribute that to the fact it's easier to keep up the humor quality in 15 minute doses on television then for 90 straight minutes on the big screen. Still, there are more then enough laughs to keep everyone, big and small, entertained.

OK, enough with the animated movies. Next week it's "Alexander," a film that might have actually been better if it had been animated!

On a scale of zero to four stars, I give "The Spongebob Squarepants Movie"