The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou - Criterion Collection

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou - Criterion Collection

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Editorial Reviews

Internationally famous ocenaographer steve zissou & his crew set sail on an expedition to hunt down the mysterious elusive - possibly nonexistent - jaguar shark that killed zissous partner during the documentary filming of their latest adventure. Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 05/16/2006 Starring: Bill Murray Cate Blanchett

In The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, director Wes Anderson takes his familiar stable of actors on a field trip to a fantasy aquarium, complete with stop-motion, candy-striped crabs and rainbow seahorses. And though Anderson does expand his horizons in terms of retro-special effects and a whimsical use of color, fans will otherwise find themselves in well-charted waters. As The Life Aquatic opens, Zissou (Bill Murray), a self-involved, Jacques Cousteau-like filmmaker, has just released a documentary depicting the death of his best friend Esteban, who was eaten by some sort of sea creature--possibly a jaguar shark. Zissou’s troubles also include his waning popularity with the public, and a nemesis (Jeff Goldblum) who hogs up all the grant money. Hope arrives in the form of Ned Plimpton (Owen Wilson), an amiable Kentuckian who may be Zissou’s son. Despite his lack of enthusiasm for fatherhood, Zissou welcomes Ned--and Ned in turn saves Zissou’s new documentary (in which he seeks revenge on the jaguar shark) in more ways than one.

One of Wes Anderson’s greatest achievements as a director to date has been launching the autumnal melancholy phase of Bill Murray’s career, starting with Rushmore in 1998, and Murray delivers a similarly comedic yet low-key performance here. Unfortunately, Zissou is one of the few characters in this ensemble to achieve multi-dimensionality. Even co-star Wilson doesn’t get to develop Ned much beyond Noble Southerner, and he ends up seeming more like a prop for illustrating Zissou’s emotional development rather than his own man. The Life Aquatic probably won’t be remembered as a great film, but it is still one that no Anderson (or Murray) fan can afford to miss.--Leah Weathersby

Customer Reviews

Bloated, strange and immensely satisfying

Reviewed by Kevin F. Tasker, 2010-02-12

Some Indie types denigrate this film as Wes Anderson's most pretentious outing. They complain about its length, hodge-podge nature, and lack of general cohesion. While there are some dragging scenes (Steve's desperate visit to Eleanor comes to mind) the majority of the film is highly-stylized, beautifully rendered oceanic excitement, anchored (har har) by a PERFECT turn by Bill Murray as the titular, pot-smoking, arrogant, middle-aged Cousteau wannabe. The other characters are hilarious too and interact extremely well with one another. Willem Dafoe's Claus is a prime example. Deranged, yes. Odd, mhm. Endearing, You betcha.
Anderson's BEAUTIFUL color palate is on display here in magnificent detail. This is his most "epic" film and the colors pop and fizzle, whether it is the Arctic Night-lights, the pretty claymation fish, the island locals, etc. Simply breathtaking. Several elaborate set pieces emerge that must be seen to be believed (Pirate Attack= One of the best scenes in movie history. I'm not kidding) Also the tone is very blithe and high-spirited throughout, brimming with David Bowie hits (some in Portuguese) prompting the question, What's not love? This film is the total package. Fun, adventure, sarcasm, fight-sequences, pot-smoking, dark humor, Bowie,etc. For Anderson fans and general comedy fans alike, its a boat ride you can't afford to miss.

Want a blu-ray transfer, please!!!

Reviewed by D. A. Cobb, 2010-01-01

Incredible film - all the way through - fun, relaxing, strange, mesmerizing with a little action thrown in. But, I'd love a Blu-ray version to bring out the colors more, and detail! I can see it's been typed in the search field many times! Obviously others want it too! :)

if Fellini smoked pot....

Reviewed by Kevin Rank, 2009-12-22

I usually keep my mouth shut and leave reviews to those more adept at so doing. But when I saw the overall rating for this movie I just had to write something.

I can't think of anything bad to say about this film. The acting is impeccable. There is not a single scene that is not well directed. When I went to see this in the theatre I was totally taken by surprise. Like everyone else, I was expecting to see a Bill Murray movie and I suppose that is where some of the poor ratings stem from. But it didn't take me long to realize I was watching something different. Something fresh. Something with some genius involved. More artsy than fartsy. And I loved it. Every red capped, speedo infested minute of it.

By the way, the Amazon reviewer complains about the lack of character development with Owen Wilson's character. I'm not sure what the reviewer expected. I suppose he is an Owen Wilson fan, which is fine. But in this movie he was a side character. I mean it's right there in the title of the movie. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou! It's not The Life Aquatic with Ned.

All that said, I never recommend this movie to anyone. It's a movie you either like or you don't. And even among my closest friends I couldn't begin to guess which might like it and which might think it is horrible. If you like things that are offbeat, different, and can appreciate a little slice of genius.... give it a try.

great movie. pay attention.

Reviewed by jneuberg, 2009-11-11

very typical wes anderson... multi level scenes with very subtle humor/jokes that carry throughout the film.
great movie - didn't really do it for me at first, i have come around.

good experience

Reviewed by Santiago Bolaños, 2009-10-28

WELL, WES ANDERSON IS A NEW DIRECTOR, NEW FOR ME AND MY FAMILY, DIFERENT AND FULL OF PROPOSALS. I FIND IMPORTANT THE COLOR IN HIS FILMS, PARTICULAR IN THE DARJELING EXPRESS,MAY BE THE BEST WORK. LIFE ACUATIC IS A KIND OF TRIBUTE FOR JAQUES YVES CUSTEAU, FULL OF HUMOR AND WITH A DIFERENT RYTHM AND TIMING. I RECOMEND THIS TWO FILMS AND THE OTHER CLASIC NAMED RUSHMORE. OK??