Under the Sea Take It From Me Under the Sea.

Rating: Null/10 (8 October 2004)

Excellent animated feature that many have shunned because they feel it paints a stereotypical picture of Italian-Americans and African-Americans. Ignore those people who overlook the vivid animated characters, the highly creative style, the smart story, the strong social messages, the smashing soundtrack and the wonderfully hilarious moments which combine to create a picture that has a little something for audiences of all ages. A two-bit fish (voiced by the always enthralling Will Smith) who works at a place where whales are cleaned constantly dreams of a better life. His life is not all that bad to start with as he has loads of friends and is secretly loved from afar by one of his fish co-workers (voiced by Renee Zellweger). Across the New York-style underwater scene a meek shark (brilliantly voiced by Jack Black) tries to be himself, but does not fit in with his father's (the always rough Robert DeNiro who dominates once again) "family and associates". An odd twist will bring Smith and Black's characters together and everything in the exact landscape of the picture will be turned upside down. The voice characterizations (which also includes Martin Scorsese, Angelina Jolie, Peter Falk, Doug E. Doug, Katie Couric and a whole host of others) are right on target as the actors match their animated alter egos perfectly. The creativity of the film is second-to-none. This is a project that swims like a gold medal winner from the starting gun. 5 stars out of 5.