2. The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
Part odyssey, part homage to famed underwater explorer Jaques Costeau, The Life Aquatic was without a doubt 2004's zaniest release. Following a Moby Dick-esque premise, Wes Anderson's fourth effort is all about the dysfunctional family drama as Bill Murray and his bobble-headed compadres hunt down the elusive Tiger Shark. Cue lots of nautical wackiness. Plumbing the depths
, there's so much here that makes this Anderson's best feature to date: Team Zissou is an eclectic rabble, showcasing many a familiar face from Andersons own filmic family (Owen Wilson is an affecting, southerly gent also kudos to Angelica Huston in her now familiar patriarch role) and overall the story is full of quirk and colourful moments. This is also a film of wonderful explosions. From the surprise pirate attack (has a Stooges track ever been better employed?) all the way up to the film's much-discussed finale, which remains a beautiful moment with soundtrack once again key to the drama. Believe it or not, some critics at the time marked this as being the point where Anderson's brand of quirky, deadpan drama had expired. However, ten years on, and with a CV of diminishing returns, this easily stands as Anderson's best.