Product Review

He may be a tiny bottom dweller, but Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants sports some mighty big dreams in The Sponge Who Could Fly. Part one of this four-episode volume's title show follows human host Patchy the Pirate in his desperate, rather bizarre search for the "lost" SpongeBob episode. Deep in the suburbs of L.A., Patchy finally uncovers his treasure: a glorious, animated musical about a wistful blue-eyed sponge who dreams of flying with jellyfish. Ironically, SpongeBob's own helpful nature nearly drowns his lofty pursuits, especially when inflatable pants become more of a burden than a blessing. But friendship and happy endings prevail. In subsequent episodes (sans Patchy), SpongeBob boldly endures a nasty case of the Suds, relentless brainwashing attempts by Plankton, and his 38th attempt at passing Mrs. Puff's boat- navigation test. It's 60 minutes of goofy underwater entertainment, kooky music, and exceptional animation for "kids" ages 7 and older. --Liane Thomas