 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Fishtales
- Review Date: August 27, 2010
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Tween-friendly but mediocre mermaid tale sinks.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this father-daughter comedy would be quite inoffensive were it not for the fact that it’s mind-numbingly boring. It makes little sense, plot-wise, and though the heroine is a plucky 12-year-old who may appeal to tween viewers, it’s really jumbled. There’s some minor swearing, but not much.
What's the story?
Dr. Thomas Bradley (Billy Zane) is a visiting professor emeritus of classical studies at prestigious Oxford University. He has the summer to complete his academic research, or else he will lose his position. A fellow professor offers his retreat on the Greek island of Spetses, and at his 12 year-old daughter Serena’s (Amber Savva) urging, they accept. Never mind that he can’t swim and hates water. On the way to their getaway, he falls overboard and, without his knowledge, is saved from drowning by a mermaid (Kelly Brook), who will prove significant to his research and his future. Meantime, the secret may be out that a mermaid is trawling the local waters, and anyone who captures the creature stands to make some money.
Is it any good?
Tone-deaf from beginning to end -- Is it a comedy? A romance? A coming-of-age tale? A mystery? -- FISHTALES tries so hard one wants nothing more than to relieve itself of its exertions. The plot sounds promising enough, but the execution is marred by poor pacing and odd scenes that neither advance the story nor build on its arc, made worse by slapdash editing that inhibits a flow. (Why is the landlady whacking a chicken out of the blue? Why would father and daughter be invited to a local wedding where, it has to mentioned, rave music is playing? Why is the mermaid heavily accessorized with jewelry that looks like it came from a downscale mall?)
The underwater scenes, while prettily filmed, reveal a set so hokey -- intact Greek columns and submerged at snorkeling depths? -- one wonders how they were conceived in the first place. Besides, the mermaid doesn’t look remotely real, though her swimming’s impressive, and how she drops into the plot is woefully random. The one bright spot: Some sweet chemistry between Savva and Zane as father and daughter.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Serena and her dad: Is he a good father? Why does he need to be taken care of even though he’s the grown-up?
How does the mermaid change their lives?
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AGE
Okay for kids, boring for adults
Meh. Totally dull for me, but perfectly fine for an eight-year-old home from school with a feverish cold. The daughter does a nice job caring for her father
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, ocean creatures |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Alki David |
| Cast: | Billy Zane, Kelly Brook |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 87 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 1, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | August 26, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some rude humor and language |
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