CriticSociety- film reviews

Review

Shark Tale

Director

Bibo Bergeron

Vicky Jenson

Rob Letterman

Year

2004

Rating

Reviewed by

José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris

Review date

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Just one year after those Pixar geniuses released an animated movie about fish comes Shark Tale from Dreamworks. Now, before I start ranting about the quality of animated movies that do not come from Disney/Pixar let’s not forget that Dreamworks actually created Shrek (2001) and its sequel, two extraordinary animated movies that proved that other studios could actually compete in the same arena. Fox has also been partly successful in the genre. That said, Shark Tale always sounded like a lot of fun to me. The movie looked good and the actors lending their voices looked like they did a terrific job. Besides, the overall feel and look were just attractive. I couldn’t wait.

Oscar (voice of Will Smith) could be considered a nobody who just happens to have conquered the heart of his beautiful co-worker, Angie (voice of Renée Zellweger). He doesn’t notice it though, and considers her to be his best friend. It all changes once Don Lino (voice of Robert De Niro), the shark mob boss, finds out one of his two sons was killed, apparently by Oscar. That’s not true though, but Oscar goes with the flow and soon becomes a hero. Then again, with great power comes great responsibility, and it is only with the help of friendly shark Lenny (voice of Jack Black), Don Lino’s remaining son, that he will be able to maintain his newfound status. As it happens, Lenny has a dark secret that he just can’t tell his father about, so he decides to escape and befriends Oscar... to the chagrin of Angie of course.

So what exactly did I feel about Shark Tale? To be dead honest with you, I was sort of disappointed. Not that the movie is bad, but the bar has been raised so high concerning animated movies that this movie felt second-tier. Sort of what I felt with Ice Age. They’re good movies but just don’t quite make it to the point of greatness. And that’s a pity.

As it is, Shark Tale could be described as “Fresh Prince goes fish-y”. I’m not kidding. The character of Oscar is voiced by Will Smith, which is no wonder since the character suits him perfectly, especially in his first years as an actor. The character is likable, but it does get tiring after a while with so many exaggerated antics and mannerisms.

Supporting characters fare much better. Angie, for example, is sweet and cuddly. It is her that you really root for. Martin Scorsese’s involvement as Don Lino’s right hand was just a stroke of genius. His fish even sports his recognizable eyebrows. And the interaction between Lenny and his father is just priceless. Last but not least there’s Angelina Jolie’s Lola, the fish version of Jessica Rabbit who seduces Oscar once he becomes famous. That character is just something to behold. The animation work is just brilliant. You just won’t believe how sexy a fish can be until you watch Lola. I loved her!

Anyway, the story is just ok. The movie does drag a bit and the humor is not as consistent as it should have been. The tale is just predictable, with some inspiring and fresh moments thrown in there for good measure.

And visually… I’ve got to say I’m sticking by Nemo, although the job done here is amazing as well. The feel is more colorful, more lively, and more cartoony in Shark Tale. But it works, and the sight of an underwater version of Times Square is just fantastic.

So anyway, the movie is good but not great! And you’ll have a good time with it.

“What did you expect? You just take credit for killing a shark and then everything would be fine and dandy?”

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