Ranting to /dev/null

I'd disagree. Owen Wilson's contributions are clever, funny, and often identifiable. But Life Aquatic is an excellent move for Anderson. While I do miss some of Wilson's script contributions, the film itself is trying to do something completely different. Anderson is blurring the line between comedy and drama to the point where the film is unrecognizable as either/or. That is the genius behind Life Aquatic. That, and the strength of the title character as played by BIll Murray.

And I don't see how you can say that it lacks poignancy with scenes like the one in which Ned dies in the chopper accident, or the award ceremony at the end, where Zissou sits outside with a child while his film receives critical acclaim just within the doors behind him.

That's just my opinion, though.

To be honest, I'm not sure that "blurring the line between comedy and drama to the point where the film is unrecognizable as either/or" means anything. But that's just me.

There were certainly some touching moments in Aquatic, but nothing like the same kind of emotional impact of "I'm a little bit lonely these days". I would agree with the Slate columnist that Aquatic never seemed to burst out of Anderson's storybook world the way Tenenbaums did.

The Life Aquatic was trying WAAAAAAAYYYYY too hard. Easily Anderson's worst film. Overwrought and underwhelming.

I agree (though I didn't read the article). Wilson's wit is a crucial element in Anderson's best films. Rushmore is my favorite.

I admit, though, that the chopper accident is incredible. Remarkably serious for a comedy. Unexpected - like the suicide attempt in Tenenbaums.

I like how Anderson attempt the action genre with the raid on the island in Life Aquatic.