Z/Web

I missed this in theatres, though I intended to see it. Now I think I’m glad I waited. It’s certainly not bad; just uneven. And it has some dangerously provocative propaganda hidden within it (it practically preaches) which I found distasteful and inappropriate (especially in a kids’ movie). The plot deals who two main characters, Oscar, a small fish in a big ocean who wants more, and Lenny, a vegetarian shark, who’s the son of a mobster/killer. Oscar pretends to kill Lenny and becomes famous, while Lenny’s now free of his father’s demands to become a killer. The endings rather convoluted and weak, the jokes inconsistent, and there are certainly a few too many fish puns, but overall this is a good attempt at a story — it’s just not up to Pixar’s superior standards.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie. It’s a popcorn flick, and the science in the story was a joke, but I liked the way the focus of the story was on the characters and their relationships and personalities, not on a plot about saving the world or whatever. The characters, as they discover their superpowers and learn to live together, are much more interesting than stopping some bad guy (where you know the Four will win). The special effects are excellent, and the cast is awesome. Just a great popcorn movie. Don’t take it seriously, just go and have fun.