Twenty-five years after his introduction, Plankton is finally taking over — well, sort of. Krusty Krab’s biggest rival center stage in an original story by SpongeBob SquarePants' original voice actor, Mr. Lawrence. Once again, Plankton is making another epic play for world domination. Will he succeed? Probably not, but you only know for sure after watching.

Plankton is an enjoyable antagonist to watch, as I can't help but be endeared by his attempts to steal the Krabby Patty formula. Netflix's animated feature begins in a familiar place, as Plankton is set on stealing the formula to start his plan for global domination. Operation Success is a go, but Plankton's narrow-mindedness threatens to upend his plans and marriage. Plankton’s ambitions have always come up short, but this time, his wife Karen, a supercomputer, is finally fed up with being unappreciated and tired of failure. Cue the animated, musical sci-fi rom-com screwball thriller you didn’t know you needed.

Plankton Takes Center Stage In An Entertaining, Genre-Blending Adventure

Plankton: The Movie is very entertaining. We are told exactly what to expect in the first few minutes, which is how it plays out. Plankton is not only a multi-genre movie but it's also a musical. It is the perfect combination for the simultaneously unlikely, but perfect couple of a planktonic cyclops and a waterproof supercomputer. The film serves as an origin story, a standalone adventure, and a spinoff for the evil duo, but SpongeBob and the rest of our favorite Bikini Bottom inhabitants are close by.

My (smallest) complaint is that SpongeBob takes up a bit too much space, though he and Plankton make for an annoyingly lovable duo. Nearly every project from the SpongeBob cinematic and TV universe has been entertaining. The consistent roster of characters, the devoted voice cast, and the writing have always been top-notch. While the animation has been tinkered with from project to project, these projects are like the Krabby Patty, a nice hearty meal you are always happy to come home to.

The animation has adapted to modern times, blending animation styles while maintaining the SpongeBob formula. There is a variation of 2D and CG animation that's reminiscent of what we're getting today, as the characters are rounder, softer, and more cutesy looking. And in classic SpongeBob fashion, we have a touch of live-action. The film is filled with flashbacks to flesh out Plankton and Karen's history, and the creative use of different animation styles is deployed for this. It reflects the randomness and zany nature creator Stephen Hillenburg infused in the original show: anything goes and let's have fun with it.

It is fitting that the man who created such a vibrant and distinguishable voice for Plankton envisioned a story that is as quirky as the series but distinctly Plankton-coded.

The music is engaging, helping bolster the storytelling while including a great deal of fun jokes. The music and the overall writing blend well, creating a very energetic atmosphere. The story moves at a breakneck speed, but the pacing is well-managed, though the film could have been cut down just a little bit.

However, the near-90-minute adventure is jam-packed with funny dialogue, sincere yet cheeky songs, and a score that ties everything together. Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper creates the ideal roap for the endearingly convoluted animated adventure and is noticeably more enmeshed with the material than other previous scores. The music in the SpongeBob universe has always been essential, but here, it is noticeably more involved.

The Writing Perfectly Exemplifies The Best Qualities Of The Original Series

Plankton: The Movie could have followed any type of story, and the result would be the same — an enjoyable animated adventure about a severely impotent evil genius. The narrative follows the well-ingrained characteristics of Plankton established in the original series. There are minimal surprises or innovations, but that's not what brings us back to Bikini Bottom or all these characters. The well-drawn characters and thoroughly engaging jokes — perfect for kids and adults alike — keep us coming back. Plankton is a vital part of the formula. Dare I say it, he is a secret ingredient to SpongeBob.

However, the heart of this ever-lasting endeavor is Stephen Hillenburhg’s original vision and the endless possibilities his work has produced. The entire creative team, including the fantastic voice cast that has been so wonderfully consistent and ionate from day one, makes it worth coming back to this world. SpongeBob has an enduring legacy because this creative team constantly injects fresh humor into their scripts while maintaining the quality that has existed since the beginning.

Plankton: The Movie is a gem. Fans of the original series and fans born along the way will enjoy it immensely. It is fitting that the man who created such a vibrant voice for Plankton envisioned a story that is as quirky as the series but distinctly Plankton-coded. Plankton: The Movie exemplifies all we enjoy about the little villain who oddly becomes the day's hero.