The movie follows the story of Oscar (voiced by Will Smith), a small fish who dreams of becoming rich and famous in the undersea world. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he accidentally kills Frankie, a shark of the feared “Shark Mafia” (voiced by Michael Imperioli), led by Don Lino (voiced by Robert De Niro), while trying to defend himself. Oscar then takes credit for killing Frankie, and soon finds himself embroiled in a dangerous game of deception, betrayal, and mafia warfare.
One of the best aspects of Shark Tale is its clever twist on the traditional portrayal of sharks as the villains. In this movie, sharks are not the apex predators, but instead are portrayed as fighters trying to earn their stripes within their mafia hierarchy. The movie offers an interesting commentary on the human world’s fascination with the “bad guys” while also creating a story that is both engaging and entertaining.
Another great aspect of Shark Tale is its fantastic animation. The movie’s creators have put a lot of effort into the visual details of the undersea world, making it an immersive and captivating experience for viewers. The characters are impressive, their movements fluid and natural, and the overall look and feel of the movie are top-notch. This attention to detail extends even to the music, which is incorporated seamlessly into the story and complements the visuals perfectly.
However, one criticism of Shark Tale is its over-reliance on celebrity voices, which is not uncommon in Hollywood animated films. While there is no doubt that Will Smith, Robert De Niro, and other big stars do a great job of bringing their characters to life, their presence can often be distracting for viewers, as they may find themselves focusing more on the celebrity than the character they are voicing. But thankfully, the movie still has some excellent supporting voice work from character actors like Martin Scorsese and Ziggy Marley, who help add depth and nuance to their roles.
Overall, Shark Tale is a prime example of how animated movies can be both fun and thought-provoking. It’s a movie about friendship, loyalty, and following your dreams, set in a crime story world that pays homage to classic gangster films like The Godfather. The movie’s comedic elements are amusing yet not excessively cheesy, and its storyline is exciting and genuinely engaging. Shark Tale is an impressive and well-crafted animated movie that’s perfect for both children and adults.