Dolphin Tale 2
for some mild thematic elements.
Reviewed by: Gary L. Parsons—first time reviewer
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Good |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Kids Teens Family Adults |
| Genre: | Family Drama Sequel |
| Length: | 1 hr. 47 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2014 |
| USA Release: |
September 12, 2014 (wide—3,656 theaters) DVD: December 9, 2014 |
importance of companionship
God-honoring compassion
determination / don’t give up
prosthetic body part (prosthesis)
animal rescue shelter
animals in the Bible
EARTH’S ENVIRONMENT—Should Christians be concerned about the environment? Answer
What is man’s responsibility to the environment? Answer
| Featuring |
Ashley Judd … Lorraine Nelson Morgan Freeman … Dr. Cameron McCarthy Nathan Gamble … Sawyer Nelson Cozi Zuehlsdorff … Hazel Haskett Harry Connick Jr. … Dr. Clay Haskett Kris Kristofferson … Reed Haskett Bethany Hamilton … Herself See all » |
| Director | Charles Martin Smith — “Dolphin Tale” (2011) |
| Producer |
Alcon Entertainment Boxing Cat Films Color Force |
| Distributor |
“Winter’s amazing true story… now has Hope.”
Prequel: “Dolphin Tale” (2011)
“Dolphin Tale 2” is one of those increasingly rare creatures, a good clean family film. A sequel to the 2011 original, director (and Disney actor) Charles Martin Smith returned the whole cast to great effect.
The main plot revolves around Winter, the stranded and injured star of the first movie. Basically, Winter’s tank companion, an elderly dolphin named Panama, dies. Winter’s reactions, and their effect on the people around them, occupy the main story line.
There are a few smaller plots as well. The human stars rescue a sea turtle that is entangled in fishing line (the ecological lesson for the movie). The turtle gets a relationship with an overly friendly pelican. Another dolphin is rescued and rehabilitated. The male lead, Sawyer, has to decide whether to stay in Clearwater or go for a free Sea Academy semester.
This is a typical, old style family film. Yes, you will have scenes of drama, sadness and suspense. Relax. This one ends in a very Disney-esque manner.
Parents will especially appreciate the very mature and respectful way in which the adults and teens talk to each other (as well as the mature topics the discuss). The adults also interact in a kind and, well, “adult” manner.
Decision-making is a major theme in the movie. Stay with Winter or go to Sea academy? Release the healthy rescued dolphin or keep it as Winter’s companion? The handicapped are prominently, sympathetically and respectfully featured. We have a dolphin with no tail and an aquarium visitor with an artificial leg. We have a few cameos by one armed Christian activist and surfer Bethany Hamilton.
The film does not end after the plots are concluded. The real ending is a mini-documentary featuring the actual rescues portrayed in the film. The Clearwater aquarium is real. Winter is real, and is still on display.
This is a thoroughly good movie and possibly a must see for kids and families. It has absolutely no: violence, explosions, car chases, bad language or sex. If you don’t see it in the theaters, you may catch it on cable or Netflix. It should be a warm and happy experience for everyone.
Violence: None / Profanity: None / Sex/Nudity: None
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 4½
As a mother, I enjoyed the relationship the parents had with their kids who were more grown up than they realized and that good communication was key to their relationship. It was so nice to take my daughter to a movie that held her attention and didn’t frighten her.
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 4
Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here.
This movie wasn’t explosions or robots, but it was about compassion in its many forms. Just as Jesus was characterized by compassion (Matt 9:36, Spurgeon) and God the Father is characterized by compassion (Ex. 34:6-7), the movie is a great example of what actual compassion looks like. It is foreign to us, because, through its politicization, compassion has largely been lost to mainstream American culture. From how friends handle each others’ wounds, to how to love an animal who has acted out and physically wounded you, compassion is not lectured—it is role modeled in this film.
I am glad I saw it. I am glad my family went. I am glad my daughter wants to be a cetacean biologist. We are going to buy the DVD and watch it a dozen dozen times. Each time they watch it, my children will be seeing and rehearsing what genuine compassion, God-honoring compassion, looks like in practice.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½