The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

I simply cannot recommend "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" to anyone. No, not even those of you who tend to like the more odd type of movie. The word "quirky" does not begin to describe Bill Murray's latest film. Granted, it's not bad, it's just not all that watchable.

Murray plays Steve Zissou, a character based on Jacque Cousteau. After a jaguar shark (a type of shark seen only by Zissou) kills his best friend, the oceanographer and his team of researchers set out to locate the deadly beast. The objective is to kill the killer shark. Zissou's team consists of oddballs and outcasts, including interns referred to only as "interns" and not by name. Joining the crew is Ned (Owen Wilson), who may or may not be Zissou's son.

The story is a mix of drama as father and son develop their relationship, of comedy as the devoted crew follow their captain on his quest, and of romance as Cate Blanchett plays the love interest. There are also pirates, a three-legged dog, and an eccentric Jeff Goldblum.

Keep your head above water and avoid "The Life Aquatic". I give it a D.

"The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" is rated R with a running time of 2 hours.