 | I'll order you a red cap and a speedo
rating: 5
I believe too many are quick to write off the film as bad or not as good as Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, etc. Part of the genius of this movie is Mr. Andersons contrast of childhood fantasies with adult realities. The whimsical story, ridiculous outfits, and a brief shot of, well what young boys think of serve to spark the inner "eleven and one half" year old within all of us. Yes this film is odd, and sometimes stupid but in the end i found myself moved by the sheer beauty and innocence of the film.
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The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
rating: 4
My favorite of Wes Anderson's movies. I'm a huge James Bond fan, which helps to understand a lot of the humor in this movie. I also love David Bowie, so the portuguese takes on many of his classics were a pleasant surprise. Funny from beginning to end, with Jeff Goldblum turning in a brilliant performance.
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Slightly amusing, but sorry I bought it.
rating: 2
I liked the other Wes Anderson films that I have seen, so I bought this one. His other films are much better. We watched it, and now I'm giving my DVD of it to somebody who loves film, as a gift. I'd suggest renting it instead of buying it. It's only slightly interesting/amusing.
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Watching paint dry
rating: 1
This movie is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Its so bad I'd rather work at home on my own nickel than watch this complete waste of film. Save your money.
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Entertaining on one viewing, but perhaps Anderson's most discomforting film yet
rating: 3
Wes Anderson's 2004 film THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU centers on the personal dramas of the title character (Bill Murray), a Cousteau-like oceanographer who feels like he has reached the end of his career. After a jaguar shark kills his partner, Zissou vows to go on one last adventure to hunt it and kill it. As he looks back on his womanizing private life, a young airline pilot (Owen Wilson) approaches him and suggests that Zissou may be his father. This budding father-son relationship unfolds among the struggles of Zissou's crew to reach the last known whereabouts of the shark.
Those who know Wilson's earlier films, especially THE ROYAL TENNENBAUMS of 2000, will recognize many similar themes, actors and humour here. The setting is ostensibly in our own time, but with much retro design. There are complex personal relationships and failed marriages. And the soundtrack is quirky, this time to an even greater degree (Brazilian star Seu Jorge singing David Bowie translated into Portugese and playing the guitar). However, there are some fresh new elements that keep this from being a mere repetition of his earlier comedy/dramas. There's even two shootout scenes, so Anderson certainly can't be hit with charges of making films where people just talk and talk. A delightful visual touch are the fanciful sea creatures (stop-motion puppets, not CGI), and the set design, which makes Zissou's ship Belefonte look real. Finally, whatever else one might thing of the film, the cinematography of the helicopter crash scene deserves great praise for so subtly and gradually informing the viewer that something has gone horribly wrong.
Yet, for its general entertainment on a single viewing, THE LIFE AQUATIC strikes me as Anderson's most uncomfortable film to date. Of everyone here, only Steve Zissou is presented with any sort of depth. Owen Wilson's character is about as vague and featureless as the jaguar shark himself, just one more obstacle thrown in Zissou's path. Bill Murray had already honed this type of grim middle-aged moper many times before, reaching his finest hour with LOST IN TRANSLATION, but here (as well as in BROKEN FLOWERS) he's obviously gotten stuck in a rut as an actor. Klaus, the German first mate, is a lame ethnic cariacture.
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