I don't get it this time. Dani and I saw Shark Tale opening weekend and found it mildly amusing (visually amazing, of course, but we've come to expect that from Dreamworks and Pixar, so it almost goes without saying). But the story simply didn't impress… the jokes were obvious and tired, for the most part (I mean, come on, how long has DeNiro been riffing on his gangster shtick now?) and lacking in the wit that, I think, has been the strong point of most of the CGI animated films we've been seeing lately.
But 48 million the first weekend, 31 million the second and another 22 million this past weekend is huge, especially for the fall. One can argue, I suppose, that it's the only "kids" movie out there, with things like Ladder 49 and Friday Night Lights the other big releases those weekends. But that's kind of ironic, since Shark Tale seems to be one of the least kid-oriented animated films I've seen recently. I mean, I'm sure the kids are just eating up the VERY timely Car Wash "homage" and we can probably guess as to how many parents are sitting down to watch The Sopranos & The Godfather with the little ones. (Judging from this film and the oft-times painful to watch Father of the Pride, Dreamworks is doing its damndest to stake out the presumably lucrative adult animation audience. Interesting attempt.)
I've been of the opinion that the reason CGI animated films have been kicking butt over traditionally animated films was because they've updated the storytelling along with the animation techniques… one only has to have sat through the painfully formulaic Brother Bear from last year to see that traditional animation needs some serious help. (And a good case can be made for stripping Phil Collins of any songwriting awards after hearing the songs he wrote for this tedious little film.) But, judging from Shark Tale, it doesn't seem to take MUCH more then a little pop-culture to make for a successful CGI animated film.
I'll be waiting for The Incredibles, thank you.
But 48 million the first weekend, 31 million the second and another 22 million this past weekend is huge, especially for the fall. One can argue, I suppose, that it's the only "kids" movie out there, with things like Ladder 49 and Friday Night Lights the other big releases those weekends. But that's kind of ironic, since Shark Tale seems to be one of the least kid-oriented animated films I've seen recently. I mean, I'm sure the kids are just eating up the VERY timely Car Wash "homage" and we can probably guess as to how many parents are sitting down to watch The Sopranos & The Godfather with the little ones. (Judging from this film and the oft-times painful to watch Father of the Pride, Dreamworks is doing its damndest to stake out the presumably lucrative adult animation audience. Interesting attempt.)
I've been of the opinion that the reason CGI animated films have been kicking butt over traditionally animated films was because they've updated the storytelling along with the animation techniques… one only has to have sat through the painfully formulaic Brother Bear from last year to see that traditional animation needs some serious help. (And a good case can be made for stripping Phil Collins of any songwriting awards after hearing the songs he wrote for this tedious little film.) But, judging from Shark Tale, it doesn't seem to take MUCH more then a little pop-culture to make for a successful CGI animated film.
I'll be waiting for The Incredibles, thank you.
Comments