u/Lenn_Cicada

Jeffrey Katzenberg has set as many bad precedents in animation as good ones. It is true he spearheaded films like “The Lion King” and “Shrek”, yet to the people he worked with he will forever be known as a micro-manager and a merchandising machine. Probably the worst precedent he set was a focus on animated films getting big-name celebrities (he wanted Steve Martin to play Goofy in “A Goofy Movie”). There’s no greater example of that than “Shark Tale”, a film which is basically a mob-comedy under the sea.

Nothing hurts more than watching a film you enjoyed as a kid and then as an adult you realize is trash. This film isn’t the worst, it’s more mediocre-bad. The film has its funny or quotable moments, but they are mostly drowned out by terrible “Osmosis Jones-level” puns and other lame duck jokes. Oscar (Will Smith) is also way too arrogant and unlikeable, especially after he gambles a pink pearl given to him by his eventually love interest. Also I don’t like the designs of the celebrity fish. The voice actors (especially Martin Scorsese) give really good performances, but because they’re celebrities they have to put their faces on many of the fish. Whoever thought it was a good idea to give that blue and yellow fish big teeth and a smile like that deserves to get blacklisted.

Funny thing about the film, it had three minor controversies going for it. One was the similarities to “Finding Nemo” which Katzenberg insisted was coincidental. Given his attitude during the “Antz/Bugs Life” debacle, I don’t really buy it. Jack Black’s queer-coded character Lenny was criticized by the homophobic American Family Association, for trying to promote gay rights to children. Personally, a condemnation from the AFA is an endorsement for me. The film also received complaints from Italian-American organizations like the Italian American One Voice Coalition, the Columbus Citizens Foundation, and Democrat Representative for New Jersey Bill Pascrell. They all alleged that the film promoted negative stereotypes of Italian Americans as being criminals. My take, y’all really need to shift your focus. “The Sopranos” has probably done more of what you describe than “Shark Tale”.

Anyway, there’s not much else I can say about it. It’s got celebrities out the wazoo, it’s got too many bad jokes, and it feels like a mob-comedy quickly given an undersea setting to cash in on the success of “Finding Nemo”. If there’s one really good thing about it, it’s the surprisingly good cover of “Car Wash” by Missy Elliott and Christina Aguilera. If it’s a childhood favorite of yours, then at least you’re getting something from it. It’s just one that doesn’t work for me as an adult.

Car Wash - Christina Aguilera/Missy Elliott

Spotted this beauty at the EAA show in Oshkosh, WI yesterday:

You just finished setting up a 1 million dollar sound system in your livingroom. What's the first songs you'd play?

Shark Tale (2004) not even nostalgia goggles can save it for me

Anyone else remember Sha Na Na

"Don't speak to me, or my children, or my grandchildren ever again."

Who remembers this film

Here’s a little gem for you. That song that just won’t get out of your head. You’ll find yourself humming the tune.