The life aquatic review
“The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” is not an appealing film at first glance. The plot is unusual and the cast is uninteresting, repelling any viewers unfamiliar with Wes Anderson. However, by taking a closer, in-depth look at the film, your suspicions are confirmed and you’ll wish you could take back those two wasted hours of your life. The film follows a man with a goal of documenting a shark that had previously killed his best friend while a cast of oddball characters joins him on his journey. In many ways, the interactions between these characters makes watching the film somewhat bearable. There are moments where Wes Anderson would intentionally make the atmosphere thick with uneasiness and some moments that would provoke a laugh or two. The pan shot was also often utilised in place of cuts, giving a better sense of continuality. These elements bring the film closer to a realism standpoint and does it justice. Unfortunately, these sequences are scarce and quickly forgotten, making the overall film seem dry and dull. Wes Anderson also incorporates some formalist elements that do not compliment the realistic tone that is present. For example, the shootout scene with the pirates was overly exaggerated. It feels like it was forced in to combat the dry, unexciting plot and to keep the audiences in their seats for just a bit longer. If you’re looking to watch a movie sometime soon, stray away from this one.
“The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” is not an appealing film at first glance. The plot is unusual and the cast is uninteresting, repelling any viewers unfamiliar with Wes Anderson. However, by taking a closer, in-depth look at the film, your suspicions are confirmed and you’ll wish you could take back those two wasted hours of your life. The film follows a man with a goal of documenting a shark that had previously killed his best friend while a cast of oddball characters joins him on his journey. In many ways, the interactions between these characters makes watching the film somewhat bearable. There are moments where Wes Anderson would intentionally make the atmosphere thick with uneasiness and some moments that would provoke a laugh or two. The pan shot was also often utilised in place of cuts, giving a better sense of continuality. These elements bring the film closer to a realism standpoint and does it justice. Unfortunately, these sequences are scarce and quickly forgotten, making the overall film seem dry and dull. Wes Anderson also incorporates some formalist elements that do not compliment the realistic tone that is present. For example, the shootout scene with the pirates was overly exaggerated. It feels like it was forced in to combat the dry, unexciting plot and to keep the audiences in their seats for just a bit longer. If you’re looking to watch a movie sometime soon, stray away from this one.