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Bill Murray makes this film. Wes Anderson was right in saying no one else could play the lead. His deadpan humor and perfect comic timing leads the way in this ultra quirky comedy that leaves all other Anderson films behind, although all are good. “The Life Aquatic” exemplifies the imperfect life and world, but in an offbeat, heartwarming way. By the end of the film, i feel so inspired and good inside. The last scene underwater, where everyone is crammed in the submarine almost brings me to tears, every damn time. Every time i reach that point in the movie I just realize everything about Steve Zissou, and he becomes undoubtedly transparent, which is a state we have never seen of him before. The supporting cast is a marvel as well, Owen Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Michael Gambon, and even Bud Cort! I think “The Life Aquatic” has some very deep elements to it, about life in general. It shows a broken man with a broken life, trying to find happiness in revenge. Ultimately I think he finds much more, but also loses much more.

The style of the film is so breathtaking! The cutout of the Bellafonte, the colors, the cinematography, wrapped finely together with another brilliant soundtrack. All in all, Anderson blew me away with his fantastic vision, creative characters, and simple story with too many complications. By far my favorite of his films. And quite frankly one of the best movies of all time. Watch it!!

Critics seemed to miss the boat on this one, but it’s my personal favourite of all Wes Anderson’s films. A colourful and quirky ocean adventure, like Woody Allen adapting Jules Verne, The Life Aquatic maintains Anderson’s dry comic approach to dysfunctional family life. A tribute to Jacques Cousteau as well as a thoughtful paean to childhood and a child’s spirit of adventure, the film mixes beautifully surreal sets and stop-motion animation from Henry Selick with a soundtrack of Seu Jorge covering David Bowie songs in Portugese – what’s not to like? Bill Murray leads a great cast including Cate Blanchett, Michael Gambon, Jeff Goldblum, Angelica Huston, Owen Wilson and Willem Dafoe. Uniquely Wes Anderson yet still unlike anything else ever made.

It isn’t hard to see why a lot of people do not like this film. If the name Wes Anderson has you running and cursing from the cinema aisles then the Life Aquatic could well be movie hell for you. It is the most Anderson-esque film Wes Anderson has made yet. All of his idiosyncrasies and quirks are not just here and present but are turned up full volume (this could be due to the considerable increase in his budget) with his slavish attention to mise-en-scene resulting here in matching pastel blue uniforms and tea cosy hats; a series of invented marine creatures brought to life in an array of rainbow colours with stop motion animation techniques by Henry Selick and the presence of the ship, the Belafonte, seen as a cutaway in one inspiring shot which is just full of Anderson-esque details. There is also the familiar retro soundtrack and the always present Bill Murray, Owen Wilson and Angelica Husten.

However, for those of us who view Wes Anderson as charming rather than annoying and who very much love spending time in the world he creates with his sad, neurotic characters; choreographed colour schemes and beautiful costume design and art direction well then The Life Aquatic is a dream, a perfect little creation to be treasured as a thing of wonder and beauty: a unique snowflake. Taken on its own terms, as a purely visual experience, it works wonderfully and yes there isn’t really anything below the surface but I don’t approach Wes Anderson’s films expecting to find Mike Leigh-style realism and character exploration, I watch them for the previously stated reasons. Each to their own I guess, Wes Anderson is a very marmite director: you either really like him or you really don’t. And I really do.

The Life Aquatic is the hardcore underwater oddity that gave me a good, full, first look at what Wes Anderson can do. By being what it is, the movie dares to astound all who see it. It has both the real and surreal make out in bed with each other and end up having a baby that’s so cute you can’t turn away; you can’t resist it no matter what. It’s one of the best, surreal, art-house-style experiences in the cinema industry. The look is flawless, the acting is stage-worthy, and the sets are artistic as Wes’ trademark style. If you crave adventure, style, and a heartfelt story, you don’t want to miss it.