Goldfish: The Search for Gilbert

**Goldfish: The Search for Gilbert** is a 2012 American animated adventure film that is based on the *Goldfish Crackers* commercials. It is rated PG for mild language, crude humor, and thematic elements throughout. It was released theatrically in the United States on May 25, 2012. Budgeting on $175 million, it received positive critical reception and a surprising, remarkable amount of box office returns, ranking at $500 million. It is a major extension to the fourth season of the commercials. The film was directed by Gary Sauls and produced by Edward Felker. The production companies for it are Chatterbox Productions and Nickelodeon Movies.

The soundtrack for the film consists of both Associated Production Music tracks, and original background music. Original tracks for the movie were composed by Harry Gregson-Williams, who also composed the soundtrack for DreamWorks' *Shrek* franchise.

## Synopsis

In the biggest adventure for the *Goldfish* characters, the eternally optimistic Finn, accompanied by his circle of friends (Xtreme, Swimmington and Brooke), find themselves on a quest outside the familiar confines of Under the Bed to search for their pretzel friend, Gilbert, who was sucked up by a vacuum cleaner during a game of Frisbee. Inside the vacuum, Gilbert quickly befriends the nerdy fish, IQ, who may not be as harmless as he looks. However, it doesn't end there; midway through the journey, the vacuum cleaner gets sold, prompting Finn and co. to travel through the intimidating world otherwise known as the city, an area known to be hazardous by all sorts of Goldfish alike due to how they must keep their existence a secret from humans.

## Plot

The movie opens on a black screen, as the sounds of chewing can be heard. The scene then fades to reveal Jamie eating Goldfish out of a bowl as he watches TV in his bedroom. One of the Goldfish, Brooke, manages to jump out of the bowl before landing on the ground unscathed. Jamie simply assumes he's dropped one before resuming eating, as Brooke escapes to Under the Bed. The opening credits begin as the scene cuts to Jamie eating Goldfish out of a plastic baggie. One Goldfish, Gilbert, is grabbed and nearly eaten, but he slips out of Jamie's grip and falls onto the floor, after which Brooke calls out to him, urging him to come to Under the Bed. Gilbert darts towards her as the movie's logo is shown.

As the opening credits continue, Jamie is seen putting something into the pantry. From the pantry's top shelf, Xtreme prepares to jump down onto Jamie's head, despite Swimmington's attempts to dissuade him. Nonetheless, Xtreme makes the jump, with Swimmington jumping down after him, and they both land on Jamie's head without him noticing. They end up jumping off when Jamie heads back into his room, with Swimmington dragging Xtreme behind him as he makes a retreat to Under the Bed. The scene then cuts to Jamie leaving a bag of Goldfish on his nightstand as he leaves the room. Shortly after, Finn emmerges from the bag holding a briefcase, and he ends up falling to the ground before heading to Under the Bed, and the opening credits conclude there.

(WIP)

## Development

While Edward and Eric was nearing the end of production, Gary Sauls possessed an interest in the *Goldfish* commercials, impressed at how they "didn't feel like mindless advertisements that hammered the product into your brain." (WIP)

## Trivia

* This is the first film by Chatterbox Productions to not be based on any of their existing properties.
* Throughout the movie, there are many references to past works by Chatterbox:
	+ At one point, the gang asks Duke and Germaphobe from Dust Bunnies for directions.
	+ During the cop chase scene, an archived recording of one of Edward's iconic "girly" screams can be heard in the background at one point.
	+ A Lakeside City postcard can be seen under the bed during the beginning.
	+ Just like at the end of every single Edward and Eric episode, the movie closes with the camera irising out, followed by a "The End" screen.
	+ During the montage of the gang asking people for Gilbert's last known whereabouts, they briefly visit Lakeside Lake. Unlike the rest of the film, this scene is animated in 2D to stay true to Edward and Eric's animation.