The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Name: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Comedy
Released: December 10, 2004
Duration: 119 min
Rating: 62
Cast: Anjelica Huston, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Owen Wilson

2004

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 240 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 240 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: December 10, 2004 | R

Starring: Anjelica Huston, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Owen Wilson

Summary: Internationally famous oceanographer Steve Zissou (Murray) and his crew set sail on an expedition to hunt down the mysterious, elusive, possibly non-existent Jaguar Shark that killed Zissou's partner during the documentary filming of their latest adventure. (Touchstone Pictures)

Director: Wes Anderson

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 119 min

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Critic Reviews

100

David Sterritt

The director of "Rushmore" and "The Royal Tenenbaums" scores his most funny-sad movie to date. Read full review

Steven Rea

Like the old and creaky Belafonte, the film itself seems forever on the brink of drifting away. But it's the kind of drifting that's nothing but enjoyable. In fact, it's beyond enjoyable - heading into waters full of whimsy, mystery and odd, psychedelic fish. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

Intermittently brilliant, intermittently hilarious -- and occasionally tedious. Read full review

James Berardinelli

It is not as engaging as "The Royal Tenenbaums," but about on par with "Rushmore" and "Bottle Rocket." Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Noah Baumbach collaborated on the arch script, whose bittersweet weirdness leaves a residue even as the narrative disintegrates. Read full review

Mike Clark

Nothing but attitude. Read full review

Michael Sragow

It's the strangest comic misfire yet from Wes Anderson. Read full review

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User Reviews

MikeG.

Apr 15, 2006

My favorite movie. The irony kills in this movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DanielR.

Feb 29, 2008

This perfectly captures what makes Wes Anderson so great; deadpan humor, absurd plots, eye candy, and genuine emotion underneath.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

sandutter

Jan 29, 2014

Not everbodys cup of tea, but I love it. The film is as always with director Anderson semi-crazy, semi-funny and beautifully made. You simply don't have a clue were the story is going, you just ride with it and enjoy it. Actors Dafoe, Blanchett and Huston are great. The others are good. TheNot everbodys cup of tea, but I love it. The film is as always with director Anderson semi-crazy, semi-funny and beautifully made. You simply don't have a clue were the story is going, you just ride with it and enjoy it. Actors Dafoe, Blanchett and Huston are great. The others are good. The music score is fantastic.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

JockM.

Aug 3, 2006

I grew up watching Jaques Cousteau(sp?) films. I really enjoyed this film for the nostalgia value alone. It faithfully captures the atmosphere of the documentaries and then takes us behind the scenes to see the absurd, vain and scientifically bankrupt process by which they were produced. I grew up watching Jaques Cousteau(sp?) films. I really enjoyed this film for the nostalgia value alone. It faithfully captures the atmosphere of the documentaries and then takes us behind the scenes to see the absurd, vain and scientifically bankrupt process by which they were produced. The plot is about as thin as tracing paper, but this is more than made up for by superbly sensitive portrails from the principal players. Top flick in my book!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Compi24

Oct 31, 2017

While certainly not Wes Anderson's best work, "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou" is still an enjoyable ride almost all throughout. I think the main issue for me with the film is the tonal inconsistencies therein. Films like "The Royal Tenenbaums," "The Grand Budapest Hotel," and "MoonriseWhile certainly not Wes Anderson's best work, "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou" is still an enjoyable ride almost all throughout. I think the main issue for me with the film is the tonal inconsistencies therein. Films like "The Royal Tenenbaums," "The Grand Budapest Hotel," and "Moonrise Kingdom" definitely handle the more higher-tier, comedy-to-drama tonal shifts better than this one does, but - make no mistake - when this movie's emotional atmosphere is "on," it's really "on," particularly in the third act. Anderson's trademark humor is there, but in smaller and more minute doses than in some of his other works. The cooky characters are present too, but don't expect all of them to be as well fleshed out as in Anderson's other works. Things are just a bit more complicated here, but it's still not a regrettable watch at all.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

mailinh

Jan 6, 2014

Unfortunately, the wonderful excitement I usually get while watching Anderson movies faded after the first 55 running min. of "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" as I realised it will last twice as long as from now. After that it was kind of difficult to focus on the movie while not to getUnfortunately, the wonderful excitement I usually get while watching Anderson movies faded after the first 55 running min. of "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" as I realised it will last twice as long as from now. After that it was kind of difficult to focus on the movie while not to get drowned into a dull mood. This film of his contained too much dispensable scenes. For my part, Anderson movies should obviously maintain a shorter length.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DougZ

Dec 17, 2007

I just don't "get it." This film sets a mood, but doesn't go anywhere. If the idea of a plot is optional, you'll love this film. I couldn't help but feel like characters were introduced just so the actors could work with Wes Anderson. Wes, you stole two hours of my life!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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44	#44 Most Discussed Movie of 2004
70	#70 Most Shared Movie of 2004