Shark Tale (2004)

Ebert finds the film entertaining but less successful than its animated predecessors. He praises its colorful energy and comic voice performances.

The page identifies this as Screen's review of the 2004 film, but its verdict is not visible. The paywall also prevents identifying what the critic singled out for praise or complaint.

Freer finds the film entirely serviceable. Its irreverent humour and adult-friendly movie skits keep it buoyant, though its humanised sea life lacks natural magic.

Mackie finds the film pleasant enough, though clearly inferior to Finding Nemo. He praises several voice performances and comic touches, while faulting the film’s obvious gags.

Thomas finds the film serviceable family entertainment, but says it is less sharp and engaging than it thinks. He praises the voice performances and adult-oriented jokes, while criticizing the character design and product-placement gags.

Turan finds the film stale and overly busy, with familiar Mafia comedy and canned moral lessons. He praises the visually lively undersea Manhattan and some charming peripheral ideas, including the whale wash.

The available excerpt suggests the critic is skeptical of the film. It singles out its heavily merchandised computer animation as a concern.

Schager strongly pans the film as grating and misguided. He especially objects to its racial and ethnic stereotypes and consumerist messaging.

Tobias finds the film impersonal and feeble, despite a promising premise. He praises the lively early gangland scenes, especially the exchanges between De Niro and Scorsese.

McCarthy pans the film as stale, crass, and built from recycled movie references. He singles out Martin Scorsese’s puffer-fish voice performance as its most amusing element.

The critic finds the film a disappointing, uninspired follow-up to Shrek. They single out its predictable humor, underdeveloped characters, and weak story as major shortcomings.