For the uninitiated who find themselves at "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie," which opens Friday, you need to soak in some background on the eternally optimistic little yellow animated sponge.

Sirena Irwin has brought dozens of fan-favorite SpongeBob characters to life for over 25 years. Her resume includes 'lazy' Mary, forced to take care of her chocolate-hating mother, the real estate ...