'Life Aquatic' gives refreshing wave of comedy

Reel Reflections

While crafting and maintaining a story of adventure, love, revenge and accomplishment "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" delivers a fresh and original taste to the comedic genre. Viewer’s are hard-pressed to find comedies nowadays where scriptwriters don’t resort to slapstick humor in order to keep an audience laughing. Furthermore, films that deliver zesty comedy with such an excellent style and flair are even harder to find. "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" is like a comedic show that whisks you along on an adventure in a world where imagination roams free.

The story is that of sea captain, explorer and marine biologist Steve Zissou (Bill Murray, "Lost in Translation") of the Zissou Foundation. Audiences join Zissou on a search for his latest, deadliest and most exotic oceanic creature discovery — his greatest adventure yet. One cannot help but notice the allegories to Herman Melville’s "Moby Dick," as Murray takes on the roll of a collected yet equally driven Captain Ahab.

The cast of characters is unique and charismatic, and viewers are captivated by their anomalous interactions and internal struggles. Murray’s performance in this film is more proof that his witty and subtle style of humor still keeps audiences laughing. The rest of the cast also is entertaining. Owen Wilson’s ("Meet the Fockers") excellent performance as the possible son of Steve Zissou, Ned Plimpton, is as heartfelt as it is amusing. Cate Blanchett ("The Aviator"), Anjelica Huston ("Daddy Day Care"), Willem Dafoe ("Spider-Man 2") and Jeff Goldblum ("Cats & Dogs") also add to the overall style of the film with their standout and florid performances, for which director Wes Anderson is known for. Those who saw "The Royal Tannenbaums" already are familiar with the wry style of film that Anderson has brought to the cinema screen, and in "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou," that style is perfected.

"The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" is a perfect blend of comedy and style. The film for is worth seeing not only for its wit and subtle humor, but for its savory, original presentation of story and style.

4/5 paws