This is not, repeat, not, a kids's movie!

Rating: 10/10 (2 March 2005)

I don't know what critics were thinking. The writers and animators had a field day. This is a subtle adult comedy that that works like a Woody Allen film. It is not for children. The film is loaded with subtle gags. Take, for instance, the shark character, voiced by Peter Falk. The shark's name is Don Feinstein. Don is an Italian title and this is supposedly a shark mafia, headed by Robert Diniro's character, Feinstein is a Jewish name. And, if you look closely, you notice that Don Feinstein has a "glass" eye like Peter Falk, which doesn't quite sink with the other (no pun intended). When old Don Feinstein passes gas bubbles. the shark behind him takes a moment to inhale them, then passes out. Virtually every scene has something, but you have to look. This is an "insiders" animation film. I guess Dreamworks feels they have enough money to do something like this once in a while. Remember, Dreamworks animation started out by winning Cannes awards for their shorts.
So, if you're not a TV and film buff, prepared to be bored by what appears to be a mediocre story line. Or if you're a teenager who think Columbo is a country in South America... Drown me if I'm lying, but this is a great film! And don't miss the Gigi the Whale short on the DVD.