SpongeBob SquarePants: Friend or Foe

I resisted the lure of SpongeBob Squarepants for a long time. Today's cartoons simply weren't as good as the ones I watched when I was kid -- or so I thought. And then one day about a year ago my daughter started exerting her influence over the remote control. More and more often she chose SpongeBob.

At first I felt guilty for letting my child watch such nonsense -- but then I started paying attention. You know what? SpongeBob kicks some serious ass. This is that rare show that entertains thirty-seven year olds just as easily as seven year olds -- at least in our family -- mixing childish humor for the kids with enough pop culture references to keep the adults interested.

For all his foolishness, SpongeBob actually serves as a fairly decent role model. He's a loyal friend, a model employee, and a trusting soul. Sure, he builds a comic routine highlighting the stupidity of his friend Sandy the squirrel, burns down the Krusty Krab every few episodes, and falls for prey to the evil Plankton far too often, but in our household we're willing to ignore those faults. We love him unconditionally.

And so imagine our excitement as we previewed the brand new DVD, Spongebob Squarepants - Friend Or Foe. If you aren't already an honorary Bikini Bottom citizen, the DVD provides the perfect introduction. SpongeBob should be taken in large doses, especially in the beginning. A single episode can easily be dismissed as nothing more than another cartoon; it isn't until you watch several in succession that the true genius is revealed.

This latest DVD features episodes which answer many mysteries: What started the rivalry between Plankton and Mr. Krabs? What is Patrick's morning routine? Who manned the grill at the Krusty Krab before SpongeBob got the job? For 84 minutes of SpongeBob fun, as well as answers to all these questions, be sure to check out Friend or Foe -- you definitely won't be disappointed.