Deep in the sea, Don Lino and a family of sharks lord over a bustling aquatic community based along a massive underwater reef. Don Lino has two sons, Frankie and Lenny; Frankie is a carnivorous tough guy who takes after his father; but Lenny is at heart a kind soul who, despite his father's wishes, has become a vegetarian. One of Don Lino's cronies is Sykes, who runs a "whale wash" where Oscar scrubs aquatic mammals for a living. Oscar is a small fish who has a problem losing money but dreams of making something of himself. His dreams come true when an anchor drops, accidentally killing Frankie and Oscar is mistakingly known as "the shark killer." Oscar's overnight fame attracts the attentions of Lola, a slinky dragon fish who woos Oscar away from his steady date, Angie. Oscar strikes up a friendship with Lenny and has to decide what to do when Don Lino and Sykes decides it's time to "take care" of the "different" shark.
The Situation Archetypes of Shark Tale
The Task- Oscar and Lenny work together to reach each of their tasks. Oscar's is to become famous and make it to the top of the reef. Where as Lenny's is to hide from his family, so he can live his life how he wants to. As a vegetarian fish lover instead of a fish eating monster.
The Initiation- Oscar gains an awareness when Don Lino kidnaps Angie, forcing Oscar to realize what means the most to him. With the help of Lenny, Oscar grows to the awareness that family and friends who love him for who he is, is more important then money and fame.
Father-Son Conflict- Lenny and his father, Don Lino, are in a conflict. Don Lino wants Lenny to take over the family name and become a fish eating scary shark. However; Lenny wants to be a vegetarian and have fun with his friends.
The Character Archetypes of Shark Tale
The Hero- Oscar, the fish, is a hero of the story. Oscar helps Lenny to live his life as a vegetarian and saves the city of fish from Lenny's angry father, Don Lino.
The Evil Figure with the Ultimately Good Heart- Don Lino, the shark, is ruler of the city, feared and powerful. Don Lino is unhappy with the loss of one of his sons and disappointment of his vegetarian son. Don Lino seeks revenge and hunts down Oscar. Only to reunite with Lenny and eventually excepting him for the vegetarian shark he is.
The Damsel in Distress- Angie, is the one fish that has always been there for Oscar. Oscar realized his true feels for her when Don Lino kidnaps Angie, and Oscar goes to rescue her.
The Friendly Beast and The Outcast- Lenny is the vegetarian shark, outcasted by the rest of the sharks. Oscar and Lenny become great friends helping each other both live the life they desired. His scary shark like features make him a feared beast, but his kind heart makes him everyones friend.
The Temptress- Lola, the beautiful fish, wouldn't pay Oscar the time of day until he was famous. She stands for the tempting life style Oscar thought he desired and strived for through the movie.
The Symbolic Archetypes of Shark Tale
Black- The colour of the sharks representing evil, and death, all the fish's fear towards the sharks.
Red- The colour of the fish Lola, the temptress, representing violent passion, anger and disorder. Lola is bad for Oscar, she doesn't care for him just the fame and money.
Violet- The colour of Angie, to represent nostalgia, for Angie was Oscar's family. Despite Oscar becoming famous, he always returned back home, to Angie.
Green- The colour of Oscar, symbolizing envy, growth, and hope, to live at the top of the reef and be famous. With Oscars envy and hope to be better, he grows through out the movie.
Orange- The colour of Oscar's face and arms, representing pride and ambition for something better.
Blue - Also one of Oscar's colours is blue, suggesting that he is devoted to become famous. Blue is also the colour Lenny, when he paints himself to hide from his family. He covers the black, evil of his skin with blue representing innocence, devotion and truth. The true kindness of Lenny.
So far, so good. Flesh out the character archetypes with evidence from the film. Do the colours suit the characters? Do they embody these archetypes?
ReplyDeleteShark Tale is love. Shark Tale is life. I love Shark Tale. Shark Tale completes me. Shark Tale. Shark Tale. Shark Tale. Shark Tale. Shark Tale.
ReplyDeleteLmao
DeleteShark tale is by far one of the best movies I have ever seen. I agree with you how this film is jam packed with symbolism as well as dynamic characters. But have you ever thought that maybe Shark Tale could actually represent the Amish Country? Think about it, Shark Tale shows the complex life of many citizens of the ocean, filled with death, cheating, lies, and ill-mannered characters. These are all common problems affiliated by the Amish folk. Shark Tale is merely a facade to represent those who go through the mere trouble of everyday life on the farm. For example, the character Lola, the rude and selfish character who dumps Oscar because he has lost power at the top, could represent a bad growing season. When the weather is bad, the growing season declines, which results in a shortage of food. Oscar represents the everyday Amish citizen. All they want is to live their life like a dream and get to the top, but they face some struggle while fulfilling their dreams. Do you remember the corndogs that the two jellyfish taunt Oscar with? These corn dogs represent the technology of the outside world; disgracing their method of living. Adding on to this, the Jellyfish represent the average everyday, white, protestant male citizen. Overall, you can see the rule of the gang violence it has on the audience and the characters. Studies have shown that kids who watch Shark Tale are 75% more likely to join a gang before the age of 16. The characters clearly represents the inner problems of gangs and the conflicts they face. In conclusion, we all should introduce Amish people to Shark Tale to make them join a super-gang of ultimate farmers.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%. Shark Tale is definitely about the Amish.
DeleteOscar is one of my favorite DreamWorks protagonists, along with Shrek, Alex, Po and Megamind, because he is interesting to watch and relatable. We all feel like nobodies at some point and wish to be somebodies.
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