PIxar's idea, with Dreamworks Humor!

Rating: 6/10 (6 July 2016)

Shark Tale was released in 2004, to mixed reviews and financial success. Now while many have brought up the fact that Dreamworks released this only a year after Finding Nemo came out. Does that mean it's a shameless ripoff? Eh, not really. Does that mean it's good? Eh, it's alright.
The animation is good, but not as good as it could have been for the time it was made. Dreamworks released Shrek 2 that same year with far better animation to showcase. So it's not like they we're limited by the technology they had available. The character designs are a little off-putting at times. The concept to anthropomorphize the fish characters was an odd one, especially since they didn't do it to all of them. Some of them look just like the real fish counterparts, while others are designed to look like the actors portraying them. This is inconsistent and for the most part kinda creepy looking. At least the shark didn't look like Jack Black, shark were scary enough beforehand.
The story line is very standard for a buddy comedy film, not much else to say about it. It's not unique, it's not that bad. As with every comedy film, it should be judged on the quality of it's humor. This film is actually pretty funny. Although it is filled with references that kids won't understand for the most part. Have your kids seen the Godfather or Titanic? No? Okay well they probably won't understand this movie's humor very well. Are you an adult watching this with your kid? Or alone? In which case you'll probably laugh. Crazy Joe was funny! Watch it and find out.
"You're blowin' it man!" -Crazy Joe.
The acting is actually not that bad. Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro are particularly good in their roles. Will Smith is not suited for animated roles, most of his cool charisma comes from being on screen. Anjelina Jolie and Jack Black are alright, but both would eventually do better work for Dreamworks in the Kung-Fu Panda films.
Overall this film is too adult oriented for children. Although it has enough clever humor to be appealing to those of us who saw it as kids and revisit it now. Although there is a great deal of humor involving knowledge of gangster films such as the Godfather, those unfamiliar with these film may not find this intriguing at all. De Niro and Scorsese are fantastic in their roles, both being walking talking references to their own classic gangster films.
Shark Tale is not on the same level as Finding Nemo by a long shot, but it makes for enjoyable viewing for the kids at heart.