Review of Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) by Collin T — 15 Sep 2014

If you're like me, you were sort of indifferent about a sequel to the 2011 hit family film "Dolphin Tale" about a dolphin who lost his tail in a crab trap. The films are based on the true life adventures of the Dolphin named 'Winter' who resides at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida. The aquarium is a rehab and release facility and that becomes part of the story that makes up "Dolphin Tale 2".

"Dolphin Tale 2" is a mix between authentic and informative and overblown self-importance. Winter is in desperate need of a dolphin-pairing and the stability of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is at stake. The administrators of the aquarium, including Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick, Jr.) are faced with moral dilemmas as to how to achieve that. That's about it, but you would think the way some of the scenes play out that the end of the free world were at stake.

To be fair, at the end of the film you will see some actual footage of the events portrayed in the film and you will be impressed at how accurate the staged scenes were to the real thing. To an adult viewer though, many of the scenes played out like overblown Hollywood self-importance and would have served better being downplayed. In nearly all the instances, the drama didn't need to be manufactured by Hollywood magic; music, dialogue and tension. For someone who sees a lot of movies, like I do, the racked-up tension reeked of filmmakers trying to sensationalize.

"Dolphin Tale 2" is a fine family film with charming characters and some poignant moments into the thin line between humans and animals. Morgan Freeman brings some nice wit and personality to the film as well. In fact, there is a lot to like about the movie as a whole. I enjoyed the personalities, the photography and the creator's ability to give insight into the animals portrayed, but the films souped-up self-importance was unnecessary.