Product Review

In the double-episode that begins this compilation of the Nickelodeon animated underwater series, SpongeBob buys a party planning kit. The porous party giver annoys his guests by scheduling their every second, until he accidentally gets locked out and the real party begins. Meanwhile, above sea level in an unfunny live-action segment, Patchy the Pirate hosts a revelry, forcing a marionette band to walk the plank, among other obnoxious gags. Back under the sea in the second episode, SpongeBob takes his hall monitor duties too seriously, directing traffic and disrupting life in Bikini Bottom. Next, following a sand-sledding accident that requires 20 hours of surgery, the boy sponge is so traumatized that he becomes housebound until a gorilla goes ape on Patrick and Sandy. Finally, SpongeBob plans a huge Valentine's Day surprise for Patrick, but a band of chocolate-eating mollusks delays delivery, inciting the seastar to throw a dangerous tantrum. (Ages 4-12) --Kimberly Heinrichs