The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, the latest offering from enigmatic auteur Wes Anderson, takes up very much where his past ventures left off. Anderson staples Owen Wilson and Bill Murray provide yet another whimsical alternate-reality that is as touchingly human as it is refreshingly zany.

The plot revolves around the eponymous Zissou (Murray), an oceanographer/adventurer who is nearing the end of his career. Zissou is seeking revenge for the death of his partner, while simultaneously searching for connection with a son he never knew. Anderson, as usual, introduces his characters succinctly and perfectly – e.g., posters of Zissou's earlier films show the aging pompous star in an appropriately sympathetic, yet positively illuminating, light.

Rather than bore us with back-story, Anderson gets straight to the point: Ned (Wilson) shows up claiming to be Zissou's son; Eleanor (Huston) is Zissou's long-suffering cleverer half; Jane (Blanchett) is the able foil to father and son as the pregnant journalist; 'superstar oceanographer' Hennessy (Goldblum) is his nemesis; and Klaus (Defoe) a comic German deck-hand. Such star quality belies the simplicity of the tale: Zissou seeks revenge for his partner's death by shark, but really he seeks redemption and acceptance for his many years of avoidance.

Elaborate set-ups, (such as piracy, hostage taking and explosions), extend just a little too long, and somewhat undermine the truth of the story – even Murray seems vaguely uncomfortable with his 'Bond-in-a-wetsuit' persona.

However, all in all, the movie lives up to expectations resulting from previous Anderson fare – the chapter set-up of Tenenbaums is present, as well as the character introductions perfected in Rushmore. The Life Aquatic guarantees satisfaction for fans of Anderson's style, as well as proving an able introduction to his fabulous world for first-time viewers.

Sarah Griffin