A well done copy of several originals; spoilers for theme but not content

Rating: 4/10 (14 November 2004)

This is typical Dreamworks. Take several good movies, roll them together, add some impressive animation, and make a bazillion bucks. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, but you should know what you are buying.
"Shark Tale" takes "The Godfather", adds a generic pretender-to-the-throne plot, and sets it underwater. They let it roll from there, and it is painfully obvious that the most original thoughts on the movie was given to product placements -- clever aquatic names for familiar products. It is well done but utterly predictable.
Even the animation is not up to Dreamworks standards. While it's still good, and there are a few great touches (the movements of Lola the angelfish are particularly impressive), the animators seem to have forgotten that these characters are supposed to be sea creatures! For the most part, they move as though they were on land.
I don't expect A-grade film-making from Dreamworks, although "Shrek" did make (just barely) my very-good movie list ("Shrek II" did not). But I do expect a journeyman performance. This was just too slapped together for my taste.
As a way to pass the time, it's OK; if you have something better to do, don't waste the money.