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Shark Tale


by Yoda
posted on 10/02/04
Who knew there were any fish jokes left? Right on the fins of 2003's Finding Nemo comes Dreamworks' own entry into the CGI-generated underwater children's comedy genre, Shark Tale. Like every other computer generated feature, it sports an all-star "cast" that would rival the box office power of any ensemble in history if the actors were actually, well, acting in it.

The story centers around a smooth-talking fish named Oscar (Will Smith) who is perpetually in trouble for something. While in a particularly dire situation, Oscar lucks out, and a series of events leave Oscar sitting next to a dead shark, appearing as if he'd killed it.

That Oscar becomes instantly famous -- and that his fame goes to his head -- is almost as predictable as the eventual exposure of his lie. The moral to this particular story is already well-tread and really only exists as an excuse to string dozens of pop culture references together. The result is a film which is funny, but dated. Decades from now, people will still be watching and enjoying Nemo. Shark Tale's humor exists in a bubble.

If Shark Tale is remembered for anything, it may be for its decision to cater its computer-generated characters to the actors who voice them. Most animated features pick an actor who can fit the mood and attitude of the animated character, but Shark Tale takes this a step further. The shark voiced by Robert De Niro, for example, has his trademark mole, and the blowfish voiced by Martin Scorcese sports his furry eyebrows. While the film isn't anything breathtaking from a visual standpoint, it may end up setting a new standard on the relationship between voice actors and animators

It's a good thing, too, because just as much of the film's humor is contingent on the time in which it's being released, just as much of it is contingent on the manner in which it is said. You couldn't give Oscar's lines to just anyone; they sound catered to Smith, specficially. The fact that Oscar is made to look somewhat like Smith helps sell a number of the gags.

Much humor also depends on your knowledge of mobster films, as a shark-based mafia is at the center of the story. It's doubtful that many children will appreciate any of these references. Most of it's done with a wink, and is probably there to benefit the adults who've found themselves dragged into the theater.

If nothing else, Dreamworks deserves credit for for having the gall to go toe-to-toe with Pixar, not just with Shark Tale but with 1998's Antz, which was released just a month before A Bug's Life. Perhaps not coincidentially, it remains Pixar's lowest-grossing effort to date.

Shark Tale is not a classic, and it has nothing new to tell us, but its gags are quick, plentiful, and hit the mark often enough to keep you entertained.

The Bottom Line: Finding Nemo meets The Godfather.