Common Sense Media Review
Another quirkfest from Wes Anderson; not for kids.
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The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
Based on 17 kid reviews
Kids say that this film has a quirky and unique charm, showcasing a blend of humor, emotional depth, and stunning visuals, despite its R rating due to some nudity and swearing. Many viewers appreciate Bill Murray's performance and the film's exploration of relationships, though some critique the pacing and humor, labeling it as one of Wes Anderson's less successful works.
- unique charm
- emotional depth
- stunning visuals
- mixed reviews
- mature content
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU is the story of Jacques Cousteau-like explorer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray), who finances his expeditions by filming them. He has not had a successful movie in nine years. His wife (Anjelica Huston) strides around chain-smoking and making bitter comments. She maintains a flirty relationship with her bisexual ex-husband, Alistair Hennessey (Jeff Goldblum), who happens to be Zissou's rival. Zissou's new mission is not about science; it is about revenge. He wants to kill the "jaguar shark" that killed his friend. His motley crew includes the high strung Klaus Daimler (Willem Dafoe) and some newcomers: Ned Plimpton (Owen Wilson), a naval officer who could be Zissou's son, Bill Ubell (Bud Cort), assigned to watch over them by the bond company, and Jane Winslett-Richardson (Cate Blanchett), an intrepid English journalist who is pregnant. Steve and Ned go off in their run-down ship and end up engaging with pirates, stealing equipment from Hennessey, and developing a romantic rivalry for Jane.
Is It Any Good?
Another quirkfest from Wes Anderson, this is filled with imaginatively charming images and Anderson's trademark oddball characters from a mix of cultures. They all speaking in his signature corkscrew speech and react as though no two of them speak the same language. Anderson is great with situations, visuals, and deadpan delivery of weird, almost absurd, dialogue. But increasingly, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou all seems to be tricks without any meaning or insight behind them, cleverness for the sake of cleverness, without any heart or soul. Or art. College students can deconstruct to their hearts' delight, but it's their own meaning they will bring to the movie, not Anderson's.
Anderson benefits tremendously from the always-engaging production design by Mark Friedberg, a delightful score by former Devo-ian Mark Mothersbaugh, and the always-engaging performances by top-notch actors clearly enjoying themselves, especially Goldblum, Dafoe, and Blanchett. The script, by Anderson and Noah Baumbach takes some bad turns in the last half hour that feel sour and unsatisfying. Anderson is getting close to Emperor's New Clothes-time here, and eventually someone is going to point out that when it comes to the substance, he has nothing on.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why Steve seemed more attached to his friend who was killed than to anyone else in his family or crew in The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. What mattered to him? What mattered to Ned and Jane? What did it add to her character to have her pregnant?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 10, 2004
- On DVD or streaming : May 10, 2005
- Cast : Bill Murray , Cate Blanchett , Owen Wilson
- Director : Wes Anderson
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Buena Vista
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 119 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, some drug use, violence and partial nudity
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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