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Typical teenager Fly and his kid sister, Stella, with their brainy geek of a cousin, Chuck, go
fishing near a promontory jutting out from a rocky cliff. Suddenly it's high tide and the trio are trapped against a hard rockface and as suddenly disappear through a magic
door into the secret laboratory of Professor MacKrill (voiced by Terry Jones). Convinced that the sea will overrun the land, the professor has invented a potion transforming
humans into fish, as well as its antidote, which must be taken within 48 hours or else – a fish forever be. Thirsty Stella unwittingly swallows the potion and becomes a
starfish. Not recognizing Stella, Fly throws the little starfish into the sea. Upon realizing his booboo, Fly quickly drinks the potion to find his sister. And because he
cannot swim, Chuck also takes a swig. The newly gilled trio are reunited underwater and thus begins their perilous undersea adventure – bravely facing armies of swordfish and
crabs to secure the elusive antidote, tightly guarded by the powermad dictator Prince of Whales, Joe (Alan Rickman) and his hatchet sidekick, a killer shark. Can they make it
within the 48-hour time frame?
This Danish full-length underwater adventure cartoon has a distinct appeal, not only for children but also
for the adults accompanying them. It demonstrates excellent animation techniques featuring both humans and sea creatures, with their voices clear and true to character. Unlike
most fantasies where the hero has been cursed into becoming a frog or a beast, here we have three modern day kids turning into delightful fish characters like chubby Chuck,
who is transformed into a more sensitive, though still bespectacled, jelly fish. The movie can be proud of its catchy pop soundtrack plus the beautifully photographed
impressive undersea wonder world.
Like most animations, the sea creatures are endowed with human attributes, such as the devious
dictator Prince of Whales, who, after taking sniffs of the antidote, discovers newly acquired powers, after which he swiftly sets himself as master of the seas. Even among
fish, the hunger for power can be overwhelming But unlike most cartoons of today, reeking with violence and sweet revenge, whatever violence there is in this film, is muted
and minimal. This fish story is commendable even for the very young, for even as it entertains, it emphasizes the values of love and friendship. And against many odds, the
children of the movie, as well as the children-viewers, learn how important faith and cooperation can be.
(Date reviewed: May 3, 2002)
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