"Luca" endures, really, a life beneath the sea where he acts as a sort of shepherd for fish each day before returning home to his loving but over-bearing mother. It's when he encounters a fishing boat near the surface, that he becomes intrigued by things going on on land. Scavenging for jetsam, he encounters "Alberto" - only to discover that this lad lives two lives. He also has a terrestrial home atop a ruined tower. Gradually the two become firm friends, and soon "Luca" is spending more time as an human boy than he is as a sea creature. Determined to stay one step ahead of his parents, the boys decide to relocate to the town - and that's where they hope to be able to save enough money to buy a "Vespa". They spot one - a bit rusty and dilapidated, but how to get the cash? That might come in the way of the annual Porto Rosso Cup - but to win that they have to outwit the town bully "Ercole". He's not so much a brutal bully, more an entitled eedjit with a superiority complex. The boys have to be mindful of one thing, though. Get wet and they return to their natural "sea monster" form - and that will scare the local population and they'll be toast. I really quite enjoyed this. It's a simple story of two boys who make friends and dream of escaping to a new world of amazing and exciting opportunity together. There's even an engaging hint of jealousy that creeps in too, when "Alberto" feels snubbed when "Luca" and their new friend "Giulia" start to send more time together, and especially when they talk about voluntarily going to school! The narrative delivers a clear story of family, loyalty and fun with loads of daft Italian expressions incorporated into the lively dialogue (sorry if you are called Bruno!). Much less cloying and sentimental than many Pixar characterisation, it's a story about not being afraid of what (or who) you don't know and it's unashamedly a bromance.
