Shark Tale (2004)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Directors:

Bibo Bergeron
Vicky Jenson

Writers:

Michael J. Wilson (screenplay) and
Rob Letterman (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

1 October 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Comedy | Family

Tagline:

In fall, a new school will rule.

Plot:

When a son of a gangster shark boss is accidently killed while on the hunt, his would be prey and his vegetarian brother both decide to use the incident to their own advantage.

Plot Keywords:

Fish | Shark | Vegetarian | Mobster | Anchor

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Will Smith	...	Oscar (voice)
Robert De Niro	...	Don Lino (voice)
Renée Zellweger	...	Angie (voice)
Jack Black	...	Lenny (voice)
Angelina Jolie	...	Lola (voice)
Martin Scorsese	...	Sykes (voice)
Ziggy Marley	...	Ernie (voice)
Doug E. Doug	...	Bernie (voice)
Michael Imperioli	...	Frankie (voice)
Vincent Pastore	...	Luca (voice)
Peter Falk	...	Don Feinberg (voice)
Katie Couric	...	Katie Current (voice)
David Soren	...	Shrimp / Worm / Starfish #1 / Killer Whale #2 (voice)
David P. Smith	...	Crazy Joe (voice)
Bobb'e J. Thompson	...	Shortie #1 (voice)

Also Known As:

Sharkslayer (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for some mild language and crude humor.

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:LH (video rating) | Indonesia:SU | Ireland:G | Malaysia:U | South Korea:All | New Zealand:PG | Portugal:M/6 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Brazil:Livre | Chile:TE | Czech Republic:U | Finland:S | Peru:PT | Philippines:G | Singapore:G | Spain:T | Switzerland:0 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:8 (canton of Zurich) | UK:U | USA:PG (certificate #41134) | Germany:o.Al.

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

DreamWorks Animation

Trivia:

The film contains various references to the sea film Titanic (1997), and it is hinted that the sharks are in fact hiding out on that ship: - Dawson's drawings of (a suitably clothed) Rose can be seen on two occasions: in Don Lino's office and at the restaurant dinner; - Angie presents Oscar with a pink-pearl necklace, referring to Rose's necklace; - the lifebuoys at Frankie's funeral read "R.M.S Titanic" ; - Don Feinberg mentions singing "that Titanic song" much to the sharks' annoyance; - and near the end Oscar chides the sharks about "living in a love boat."

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Oscar throws Lennie through a Jaws Poster when faking Lennie's death, next time you see the Jaws poster it is fixed, and the time after it is broken again.

Quotes:

Crazy Joe: [stops closing credits] Hey! Hey, you see this guy here?
[taps crew member name]
Crazy Joe: He hardly worked on the film at all! Always on the phone - yakking, yakking, yakking!

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "My Gym Partner's a Monkey: Mongoosed/Mellow Fellows (#3.10)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Can't Wait

Have Animated Features Jumped the Shark?

"Shark Tale" is the latest animated feature from DreamWorks, the same studio that gave us "Antz" and "Shrek." This new story can be called a cross between "Finding Nemo" and "The Godfather." It's no "Shrek," but it's still enjoyable. The voice talent was well cast, with Will Smith as Oscar, the ambitious "small fish in a big pond" who finds himself an instant celebrity; Jack Black as Lenny, a peaceful vegetarian shark; Robert DeNiro as Don Lino, Lenny's father, the head of a shark mob, etc. The animation looks good, and a lot of movie references are clever. Sometimes, though, the producers of the movie seem to be trying too hard. But even if it doesn't always hit the mark, "Shark Tale" is worth a look.