The problem is that a lot of people are judging the "new" episodes off of Season 5-7 episodes, which are very old episodes. Season 8 was a stellar season, and Season 9 so far has been of Season 2-3 quality. People love to judge the show on the basis of the "ALL NEW EPISODES SUCK!" stereotype, and most of them haven't even seen the ACTUAL new episodes. If I may suggest several episodes to the cynical pre-movie fans:
Eek! An Urchin (Season 9)
Planet of the Jellyfish (Season 8)
Ghoul Fools (Season 8)
Home Sweet Rubble (Season 8)
Plankton's Pet (Season 9)
Sweet and Sour Squidward (Season 8)
The Krabby Patty That Ate Bikini Bottom (Season 8)
Jailbreak! (Season 9)
Patrick-Man (Season 9)
Please watch any of those episodes, but Eek! An Urchin, Plankton's Pet, Home Sweet Rubble, and Ghoul Fools are the best representations of SpongeBob's dramatic inclination in quality since Season 8.