This SpongeBob Movie Is A Must-Watch Before Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey (Seriously) – SlashFilm

After countless rumors about whether or not Christopher Nolan was directing a vampire film or a “Blue Thunder” remake, we now know that his thirteenth movie is an adaptation of “The Odyssey.” Homer’s epic poem is, in fact, an archetypical fantasy that has influenced numerous artists all through the centuries, together with even the Coen Brothers. Granted, Nolan’s personal reinterpretation is not altering the character’s names or bringing the story to the U.S., and it is unlikely to function Tim Blake Nelson and John Turturro singing a banger music, both. As an alternative, we’re getting a grand blockbuster filled with spectacle worthy of one of the best IMAX screens, with plenty of sensible results and large battles.

This is to say, Nolan’s movie adaptation of “The Odyssey” might come nearer to capturing the sheer scale and scope of Homer’s unique work than anybody earlier than it. And but, it is also removed from the one solution to expertise this story. Homer’s story stays relatable millennia after its inception, and it is all too recognizable even whenever you disguise and tweak a lot of the floor particulars. You could possibly, for instance, change Odysseus from a Greek king and struggle hero into, say, a sponge who lives in a pineapple beneath the ocean.

That is proper. Amongst the numerous movies influenced by Homer’s “The Odyssey,” one of many unlikeliest ones is “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.” The movie was initially meant to function an ending to the cartoon of the identical title created by Stephen Hillenburg, which turned a cultural phenomenon after premiering in 1999. It follows SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) and Patrick (Invoice Fagerbakke) as they embark on an epic journey filled with sea monsters, a cyclops, mermaids, indignant gods, and a David Hasselhoff.

It could not appear to be it at first look, however “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie” is a should-watch earlier than Nolan’s “The Odyssey.” Actually.

In Homer’s “The Odyssey,” Odysseus goes on an extended and epic quest with a view to return residence to his family members, and at one level, he angers Poseidon, god of the ocean, who accuses Odysseus of homicide. SpongeBob by no means kills anybody, however “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie” does comply with him on an extended quest away from his residence after he incurs the wrath of Jeffrey Tambor’s King Neptune (the Roman equal of Poseidon).

Like Odysseus, SpongeBob embarks on a journey with mates and a cool vessel — a burgermobile. Alongside the way in which, he additionally faces off towards deep-sea monsters and a cyclops (i.e. a human in an previous-college diver go well with). It is not just like the franchise hadn’t included uncommon references earlier than, both. In any case, among the finest episodes of “SpongeBob SquarePants” ends with a “Nosferatu” joke, whereas one other primarily adapts “Lord of the Flies.” Nonetheless, to have a complete children movie riff on “The Odyssey” is bizarre and humorous.

SpongeBob ultimately makes it residence due to some divine intervention, as Scarlett Johansson’s Princess Mindy (whose title sounds prefer it could possibly be brief for Minerva, the Roman equal of Athena) offers him a Bag of Winds. If you happen to think about that SpongeBob’s largest love is his job, then Plankton (Mr. Lawrence) taking on the Krusty Krab and Bikini Backside on the finish of the film is like Odysseus discovering his residence overrun by suitors wanting his spouse’s hand. The movie even has a story framing machine just like that of a poet reciting an previous story to an viewers, because it’s actually an in-universe film being watched by a gaggle of pirates. So, earlier than Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” arrives, ensure you watch what is definitely a funnier cinematic adaptation with extra singing and burgers.