Review:The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou is one of my personal favorites from director Wes Anderson. It's about an ocean-life documentary maker Steve Zissou and his struggle to find the elusive "jaguar shark" that killed his co-worker. Circumstances are further complicated when family drama, budget cuts, and a pirate attack all seek to destroy his mission. Anderson uses some of his regulars such as Bill Murray, Anjelica Houston, and Owen Wilson who once again deliver quirky personalities to the screen. Willem Dafoe also turns in a memorable performance as one of the sensitive shipmates. What sets this movie apart from other Anderson films though, is the animation and sets. Several times the focus of attention is on almost cartoon-like fictional ocean animals, like the aforementioned jaguar shark. Even though the animation appears very non-realistic, there's a certain art to the images and brings back feelings of child-like fantasies. Great humor abounds and the soundtrack is composed mostly of indie covers of David Bowie songs, so this movie does not disappoint. -JNJ
Director: Wes Anderson
Cast: Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett, Anjelica Huston, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Bud Cort
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