Review of Shark Tale (2004) by Genaro C — 12 Aug 2013

Just another entry in the "imitation war" between Dreamworks and Pixar/Disney. The primary problem with this one is that the characters are too awkward (a misstep that Disney would repeat with Chicken Little).

Will Smith does his best with what he is given, but the character Oscar is so vain and self-centered that it is much easier to anticipate his comeuppance. Jack Black does some rather shrill work as Lenny, but manages to provide a few laughs, particularly his incredulity about the notion of Oscar as a shark slayer.

Renee Zellweger, no offense, is absolutely wrong for voice-work. Martin Scorcese and Robert De Niro are really the only bright spots, providing most of the modest number of laughs. The animation looks decent, but too plastic when compared to its more successful competition, especially "Finding Nemo", and the mushy ending falls completely flat and is bound to inspire more groans than anything else.