After infinite rumors about whether Christopher Nolan was directing a vampire movie or a “Blue Thunder” remake, we now know that his thirteenth movie is an adaptation of “The Odyssey.” Homer’s epic poem is, after all, an archetypical fable that has influenced numerous artists all through the centuries, including 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 characteristic Tim Blake Nelson and John Turturro singing a banger music, both. As a substitute, we’re getting a grand blockbuster stuffed with spectacle worthy of the most effective IMAX screens, with plenty of sensible results and large battles.
That is to say, Nolan’s movie adaptation of “The Odyssey” could 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 method to expertise this story. Homer’s story stays relatable millennia after its inception, and it is all too recognizable even while you conceal and tweak many of the floor particulars. You would, for instance, change Odysseus from a Greek king and conflict hero into, say, a sponge who lives in a pineapple below the ocean.
That is proper. Amongst the various movies influenced by Homer’s “The Odyssey,” one of many unlikeliest ones is “The SpongeBob SquarePants Film.” The movie was initially meant to function an ending to the cartoon of the identical identify 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 stuffed with sea monsters, a cyclops, mermaids, indignant gods, and a David Hasselhoff.
It might not seem to be it at first look, however “The SpongeBob SquarePants Film” is a must-watch earlier than Nolan’s “The Odyssey.” Actually.
The SpongeBob SquarePants Film is SpongeBob’s Odyssey
In Homer’s “The Odyssey,” Odysseus goes on a protracted and epic quest so as to return dwelling 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 Film” does comply with him on a protracted quest away from his dwelling after he incurs the wrath of Jeffrey Tambor’s King Neptune (the Roman equal of Poseidon).
Like Odysseus, SpongeBob embarks on a journey with associates 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 old-school diver swimsuit). It isn’t just like the franchise hadn’t included uncommon references earlier than, both. In any case, considered one of the best episodes of “SpongeBob SquarePants” ends with a “Nosferatu” joke, whereas one other basically adapts “Lord of the Flies.” Nonetheless, to have a whole youngsters movie riff on “The Odyssey” is bizarre and humorous.
SpongeBob finally makes it dwelling because of some divine intervention, as Scarlett Johansson’s Princess Mindy (whose identify sounds prefer it may very well be brief for Minerva, the Roman equal of Athena) offers him a Bag of Winds. In the event you take into account that SpongeBob’s largest love is his job, then Plankton (Mr. Lawrence) taking up the Krusty Krab and Bikini Backside on the finish of the film is like Odysseus discovering his dwelling 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 unquestionably a funnier cinematic adaptation with extra singing and burgers.
