The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants is supposed to be funny, but except for a few scenes here and there, it fails to tickle the funny bone. One might argue that this film is meant for under-10-year-olds and they would lap it up. However, such films need to entertain the grown-ups as well. The Minions and Despicable Me series has set a benchmark in this space – its characters are goofy and silly and yet, everyone, from the ages of 8 to 80, love their antics. Moreover, the earlier films of SpongeBob were quite funny and the latest part is nowhere close. The voiceovers, however, are top-class. Tom Kenny (SpongeBob) takes the cake, followed by Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick Star), Clancy Brown (Mr Krabs) and Mark Hamill (The Flying Dutchman). Regina Hall as Barb, the Flying Dutchman's assistant, stands out. Mr Lawrence (Plankton) and Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy Cheeks) are hardly there; their respective characters are wasted. All in all, The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants is barely funny.

My rating - ** out of 5!