Shark Tale (2004)

Rating: 3/10 (24 December 2004)

Another American Airlines flight...another movies I'd never pay to see in a theater, but, since it was available to me, I watched.
I've read several of the comments on here, and although the criticisms are different, the overwhelming theme is the same...who were they making this film for? I don't consider myself slow on the uptake at all, but, this film went too quick for most of us who've sworn off cocaine since our rock star moments from the '80s. Therefore, I'm not the least bit surprised that kids were bored and/or lost interest.
So, was it meant for adults? Possibly, I guess. I don't know many toddlers who could make the connection between Katie Couric and Katie Current--but, then again, I can't say as I run in too many circles where toddlers are present, so, maybe I'm sorely underestimating our wee youth in America. All that aside, it had elements of "The Godfather," but was a little too hip-hop for me to truly identify with it. WAY too hip-hop, truth be told. Before I'm labeled as someone who's completely out of the loop, it's fine to have those references--but, there's such a thing as overkill. If you overkill with someone who doesn't listen to Missy "Misdemeaner" Elliot on a regular basis, you can't be too shocked when someone feels alienated.
So, what about teens? I can't imagine they'd pick up on "The Godfather" references--but there again, I don't run in packs with teenagers. Also, the overall "themes" the movie tried to hammer home--honesty and acceptance--would seem to be a little too remedial for anyone over the age of 10.
Target audience aside, there was nothing truly spectacular outside of the animation. This is sort of disappointing considering the vocal talents cast list included the likes of Robert DeNiro, Angelina Jolie, Renee Zellwegger, and Martin Scorcese. I've always thought Will Smith in the flesh was so over the top that he bordered on being a walking "Looney Toon." To experience him in actual animated form is a bit like dropping acid and participating in a high speed chase from the cops on a stormy night in Vegas. Scorcese's puffer fish dancing the "cabbage patch kid" was a little reminiscent of Barbara Billingsly speaking jive in "Airplane!"--only not as funny. And, once again, we have a effeminate shark in "dolphin drag" coming out of the "vegetarian closet" to his mobster father shark. It doesn't tax the imagination too much to see where they were going with this, but, there again, the Island of Misfit Toys in "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" handled it with much greater sophistication...after all, no one wants a "Charley in the Box."
Cost of plane ticket aside, I wouldn't have seen myself renting this film, and, as I said from the start, would never have paid to see it at the cinema. I guess if you find yourself on a flight across the country and it's on, provided there's not a $5 charge for headsets, you could do worse as a captive audience.