This 3-D animation plays like an episode of Mafia drama The
Sopranos — except it takes place underwater, and the
mobsters are sharks and other sea creatures, instead of burly sweaty
Italian men.

Its all-star voice cast is led by Will Smith who plays Oscar, an
unhappy small fry working at a humble whale wash (like a car wash)
and dreaming of a better life.

When he is mistaken for having killed a fearsome shark gangster,
he is immediately celebrated as a local hero. The media calls him
the brave "Shark-Slayer". This angers the sharks' leader, Don Lino
(voice of Robert De Niro), who vows revenge.

Fridae loooooved last year's delightful Finding Nemo —
it made us feel like tiny tots again! But we were somewhat disappointed
with Shark Tale. Though the animation technology is cutting-edge
and dazzling, the humour is as stale and soggy as a dead unrefrigerated
fish.

There were occasionally amusing moments, but the audience at last
Sunday's sneak preview looked generally bored. We recommend this
movie only to diehard fish fans.